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Better Late Than Never For LA Kings RW Prospect Spencer Watson

September 11, 2017 by Leave a comment

Los Angeles Kings right wing prospect Spencer Watson (right)
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
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EL SEGUNDO, CA — A year delayed, Los Angeles Kings right wing prospect Spencer Watson is on the verge of making his professional hockey debut this season.

The 21-year-old, 5-10, 178-pound native of London, Ontario was playing in what was supposed to be his final season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League in 2015-16 when he suffered a wrist injury that required surgery.

“Last year was unfortunate because he needed last summer to get stronger in order to play in the American Hockey League [in 2016-17],” said Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa. “But with his injury—he had the surgery, so he really wasn’t able to train. By the time he was healed and healthy, it made no sense for us to start his pro career, so he ended going back to junior for [an over-age year], and he had a great playoff run with Mississauga. They went to the [Ontario Hockey League] finals.”

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LA Kings Assistant GM Michael Futa On Alex Iafallo: “He Gives Us Another Swing in the Skill and Speed Area”

September 10, 2017 by 4 Comments

Los Angeles Kings forward prospect Alex Iafallo (foreground center)
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
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EL SEGUNDO, CA — Since they signed him as an unrestricted free agent on April 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Kings have been talking up Alex Iafallo, a prospect who could help them in the skill and speed departments.

The 23-year-old, 6-0 (he is closer to 5-10 or 5-11), 185-pound native of Eden, New York, played four seasons with the University of Minnesota, Duluth, leading them to the NCAA’s Frozen Four last season, where the Bulldogs lost in the championship game to Denver University, 3-2, on April 8.

Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa noted that Iafallo was among a select few that the Kings had targeted among college prospects.

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LA Kings Prospect Jonny Brodzinski: “I Feel Like It’s My Turn Now”

September 3, 2017 by 3 Comments

Los Angeles Kings center prospect Jonny Brodzinski, shown here playing for the AHL’s Ontario Reign
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Photo: David Sheehan/CaliShooterOne Photography

LOS ANGELES — After a strong 2015-16 season with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, not to mention a six-game call-up to the Los Angeles Kings at the end of the season, center prospect Jonny Brodzinski is expected to make the big club’s roster out of training camp once the new season begins in October.

During his first year in professional hockey with the Reign in the 2014-15 season, Brodzinski struggled early, but came on strong as the season wore on.

“I thought he had a great [2015-16 season],” said Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa. “I thought, the year prior, that it was incredible how much he was missed when he [was knocked out of the lineup due to an injury during the Reign’s playoff run]. For a first-year pro, it’s a testimony to how far he had come.”

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Michael Amadio Faces Higher Expectations Heading Into LA Kings Training Camp

September 1, 2017 by Leave a comment

Ontario Reign center and Los Angeles Kings prospect Michael Amadio, shown here in Game 4 of the second round of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs against the San Diego Gulls at Valley View Casino Center on May 13, 2016
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Photo: Vince Rappleyea/Courtesy Ontario Reign

LOS ANGELES — It’s not all that often that a skilled player comes out of major junior hockey in Canada who is better on defense than he is on the offensive side of the puck. But in the case of Los Angeles Kings center prospect Michael Amadio, at this point in his development, that seems to be the case.

As reported in this space in August 2016, the 21-year-old, 6-2, 205-pound native of Sault. Ste. Marie, Ontario was well-prepared on the defensive side of the puck by his coach with the Brampton Battalion, and after the team moved, the North Bay Battalion, of the Ontario Hockey League.

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A Look At LA Kings 2016 2nd Round Pick D Kale Clague

August 15, 2017 by Leave a comment

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EL SEGUNDO, CA — Barring what would have to be rather drastic, maybe even somewhat disastrous circumstances, defenseman prospect Kale Clague won’t make the Los Angeles Kings roster for at least two-to-three years. Nevertheless, he is making solid strides towards that end.

The 19-year-old, 6-0, 177-pound native of Lloydminster, Alberta, who was selected by the Kings in the second round (51st overall) of the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, turned a lot of heads during a strong 2016-17 season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, scoring five goals and adding 35 assists for 40 points, with a -8 plus/minus rating and 41 penalty minutes in 68 regular season games.

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