With his ability to produce up and down the lineup, Fiala is paying big dividends in Los Angeles
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Swiss Bank Account—Sept 29, 2023 - VOL. 77, Issue, 04 - Doug Ward
KEVIN FIALA IS MONEY in the bank. And not just any bank. When the Los Angeles Kings agreed to a seven-year, $55-million contract with Fiala, the money couldn’t have been more secure if they had placed it in a Swiss bank account. In a way, they did.
Last year, Fiala became just the sixth Swiss-born player to appear in an NHL All-Star Game. “Exciting for the L.A. Kings,” he said, “and for Switzerland.”
In June 2022, with the Kings in need of a dynamic scorer with playmaking ability, they invested heavily in the Swiss import market. Prospect Brock Faber and a 2022 first-round pick were shipped to Minnesota for Fiala. The same day, the Kings locked up the left winger with a long-term deal. “Kevin has game-breaking ability,” said Kings GM Rob Blake. “He is competitive by nature.”
Fiala, now 27, delivered in L.A., producing at a point-per-game pace in his first season as a King, with 23 goals and a team-high 49 assists for 72 points in 69 games.
Maybe it comes with being from a country as famous for its neutrality as its banking, but Fiala can fit in almost anywhere, be it on an ice rink or a globe. Compatibility with different countries, teams or linemates has always been part of Fiala’s appeal. At various times, Fiala played on the Kings’ first, second and third lines, logging more than 100 minutes with eight different linemates – and always producing. “It was pretty easy,” said Fiala of fitting in. “The guys were awesome.”
KEVIN HAS GAME-BREAKING ABILITY. HE IS COMPETITIVE BY NATURE– KINGS GM ROB BLAKE
It took a late-season knee injury that cost Fiala 13 games to curtail his production. While Fiala enjoyed his early NHL days in Nashville and St. Paul, he adapted to Los Angeles quickly. “I’ve been in Nashville and Minnesota longer than Los Angeles, but I feel like I’ve been (in L.A.) longer,” he said.
Last season, Fiala was one of just 12 Swiss players in the NHL, which makes him an outlier every time his name appears on a roster. Still, as a hardworking, efficient player, Fiala embodies Switzerland’s ethos every time he steps on the ice. There are many facets to Fiala, but that bright-red Swiss passport emblazoned with the white cross opens doors, borders and conversations.
Fiala was born in the northeastern Alpine town of St. Gallen, population 75,481, located about an hour from the financial capital of Zurich. St. Gallen is the kind of picturesque medieval village you would never want to leave if you were lucky enough to find yourself there in the first place. Unless, of course, you have hockey in your blood. Kevin’s father, Jan, played professionally in Switzerland and passed along his passion for the game to his son.
A polyglot who speaks Czech, English, Swedish, French and German, Fiala sees the world as an open door. He left Switzerland at 16 to play junior in Sweden, first in Malmo followed by two years in Jonkoping. His crafty play caught the attention of the Nashville Predators, who made him their first-round pick (11th overall) in 2014. After the draft, Fiala spent time in Southern California with his Los Angeles-based agent at the time and took a liking to the area. “I didn’t want to leave,” he said.
Fiala would eventually be in a position to make Los Angeles his home, but there were more cities to conquer, places that didn’t always involve a stamp in his passport. In North America, Fiala was shuttled between Milwaukee of the AHL and Nashville for three seasons, highlighted by being a part of the Predators’ run to the Stanley Cup final in 2017. During that memorable run, Fiala appeared in five games, scoring two goals. It also whetted his appetite and made him crave a title like Swiss chocolate. Fiala has been chasing that taste ever since. “It was very fun (to go to the Stanley Cup final) with Nashville.” Fiala said. “Every year, you want to go to the final and win the Stanley Cup. That’s why you play.”
WE REALLY THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO WIN IT. WE NEVER GAVE UP THAT POSITIVE MINDSET– KEVIN FIALA
The knee injury hampered Fiala in last year’s playoffs, but he picked up six points in just three games. Despite a six-game series loss to Edmonton, Fiala liked the Kings’ resolve. “We lost, but we did not panic,” he said. “We went down 3-2, and I’ve been on teams before that would think it was over. I don’t think we did. We really thought we were going to win it. There was no doubt in the room. We never gave up that positive mindset.”
The stakes are higher this year as Fiala and the Kings look to advance beyond the first round and make a serious Cup run. “We have belief we can make it happen,” Fiala said.
If they do, L.A.’s investment in Switzerland will have been low risk and high reward.
