KINGS NOTEBOOK: ROOKIE COMES BACK TO FORMER GROUNDS.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

CALGARY, Alberta - Kings rookie Jared Aulin returned to his hometown this weekend for the first time as a NHL player.

Mike Cammalleri told him what to expect.

``I said, `This will be the greatest day of your life,' '' said Cammalleri, who played in his native Toronto on Nov. 12. ``When you see those smiles and you realize just how proud everyone is of you, there is no better feeling in the world.''

Aulin, 20, in his third tour with the Kings this season, was busy Friday securing more than 35 tickets for family and friends. His parents are Calgary Flames season-ticket holders.

``I didn't mind that at all,'' Aulin said. ``There is no way I can thank all the people that have helped me get to this point. I played a lot of games in this building (Pengrowth Saddledome), but to come back here as a professional is something I will never forget.''

Aulin has just one assist in his first nine NHL games and played sparingly in Saturday's game against the Flames. He was averaging a point a game at minor-league Manchester, N.H.

Aulin and Cammalleri were named to the American Hockey League All-Star game, which will be played Feb. 3, the day after the NHL All-Star Game. Even if they are with the Kings, the two players will participate.

But neither player is thinking about the minors. They were two of the Kings' top four prospects heading into training camp, but playing time at this level has not come easily.

``He's given us what we we'd expect from a young player,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``The biggest thing is adjusting to the tempo of the pro game, but he has tremendous hockey sense and is going to be a great player once he learns to keep his feet moving.''

--Quick whistles: Defenseman Aaron Miller has started skating after missing the past five weeks with a broken foot and could return to the lineup by next week. Miller missed the first month of the season after abdominal surgery and has been sidelined for 31 of the Kings' 46 games. ... Ian Laperriere missed his second game with back spasms. He will be examined today after the team returns to Los Angeles. ... Alexander Frolov, who has eight goals and eight assists, was named to represent the Kings in the Feb. 1 Young Stars Game in Florida. The game is played the day before the NHL All-Star Game, which will include Kings defenseman Mathieu Schneider. ... Chris Drury, part of the big trade that sent Derek Morris to Colorado before the season, scored eight goals in Calgary's first 28 games. He has just one goal in his last 18 and is a minus 11. ... Calgary defenseman Denis Gauthier was struck in the face by a slap shot from Frolov early in the second period but left under his own power. He has had his cheek bone reconstructed twice in his six-year NHL career.

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AARON MILLER

Kings defenseman has started skating after missing the past five weeks with a broken foot.