IN BRIEF : Webster Sets Goal: Stanley Cup

Tom Webster, introduced today as coach of the Kings, said he has always been goal-oriented and his immediate goal will be to bring the Stanley Cup to Los Angeles.

“With the tremendous success of the team last season, I know my job is to bring the Stanley Cup here,” Webster said at a news conference at the Forum. “We will make every effort to realize that dream.”

Webster, 40, former head coach of the New York Rangers, said he was looking forward to coaching Wayne Gretzky.

“Gordie Howe was and still is my idol,” Webster said. “He was a class individual and Wayne Gretzky is a class individual.

“Wayne has shown he doesn’t like to take a day off; he’s always doing his best all the time to promote this organization.”

Kings owner Bruce McNall said talking to people around the league convinced him that Webster was the man for the job.

“Everyone gave him extraordinarily high marks,” McNall related. “Usually you will hear at least some negatives.”

Webster succeeds Robbie Ftorek as coach of the Kings. (Story, Part III, Page 1.)