LA Kings Defenseman Prospect Colin Miller Is Dealing With “Tough Love”

November 20, 2013 by 1 Comment

Los Angeles Kings defenseman prospect
Colin Miller, shown here with the Manchester
Monarchs of the American Hockey League.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: Steve Babineau/Manchester Monarchs

LOS ANGELES — While forwards Tanner Pearson, Tyler Toffoli and Linden Vey are with the Los Angeles Kings, filling in for injured veterans, including Jeff Carter and Kyle Clifford, other Kings prospects remain with their respective teams, working to make it to the National Hockey League someday.

Although Pearson, Toffoli and Vey have not likely made it to the NHL to stay, they have made it there faster than the vast majority of young players who often toil in the minors for several years before getting their chance, if they get the chance at all.

One player who seems to be on a more normal timetable is defenseman Colin Miller, who was selected by the Kings in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

The 21-year-old, 6-1, 195-pound native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario performed well during the Kings’ rookie camp and rookie tournament, not to mention their training camp. But with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League this season, he has struggled.

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Los Angeles Kings Add Six Prospects During 2012 NHL Entry Draft

June 24, 2012 by 12 Comments

DRAFT COVERAGE: Even though they had the last pick in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings added six prospects to the fold this weekend. Also: news on veteran player signings, and an upcoming change to the coaching staff.

Logo Courtesy National Hockey League

LOS ANGELES — Despite having the last pick in the first round of the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings were busier than expected this past weekend.

After winning the 2012 Stanley Cup, the Kings earned the “privilege” of selecting last in first round of the draft. In spite of that disadvantage, they managed to add six prospects to their system, and they reached agreements in principle with two of their veteran forwards who would become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Center Jarret Stoll will sign a three-year contract extension that will pay him an average of $3.25 million per season, while center Colin Fraser will sign a two-year deal that will pay him $825,000 per season. Read more of this post

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Los Angeles Kings Defenseman Prospect Jake Muzzin Likely To Be Waiting Awhile For His Turn

July 21, 2011 by 17 Comments

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Last season, defenseman prospect Jake Muzzin came out of nowhere to make the Los Angeles Kings’ 2010-11 opening night roster, despite having playing in just one regular season game and 13 playoff games at the American Hockey League level in 2009-10.

Defenseman prospect Jake Muzzin speaks to
the media during the Los Angeles Kings
2011 Development Camp at the
Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California,
July 11-12, 2011.
Photo: Gann Matsuda

Prior to that, the 6-3, 213-pound native of Woodstock, Ontario was a standout with the Sault Ste. Marie (Soo) Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for four seasons, scoring 15 goals and adding 52 assists for 67 points in 64 games with 76 penalty minutes.

That was when he caught the eyes of the Kings scouts. The result: the Kings signed him as an unrestricted free agent on January 4, 2010, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Muzzin was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round (141st overall) in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft, but had surgery to repair two herniated discs in 2005, and played sparingly in 2006-07—just 37 games.

Not wanting to take a risk on a young player who already had major back problems, the Penguins did not sign Muzzin to a contract, nor was he selected in the draft by another NHL team. Accordingly, he became an unrestricted free agent during the 2010 off-season. Read more of this post

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Gann Matsuda On The Hockey Writers: Jake Muzzin A Surprise On Los Angeles Kings’ Opening Night Roster

October 6, 2010 by 2 Comments

EL SEGUNDO, CA AND LAS VEGAS, NV — As the Los Angeles Kings emerged from their 2010 training camp and exhibition season, conventional wisdom was that, with veteran defenseman Matt Greene on the shelf as he recovers from shoulder surgery, one young defenseman would make the Kings’ 2010-11 opening night roster.

All eyes were on highly-touted blue liner Thomas Hickey, who was selected by the Kings in the first round (fourth overall) in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and was a fairly heavy favorite to make the big club’s roster. Read more of this post

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LA Kings Head Coach Terry Murray Talks Defense, Goaltending

September 7, 2010 by 6 Comments

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: In part 2 of a series of stories based on an interview with Los Angeles Kings head coach Terry Murray, we look at the Kings’ defense and goaltending as their 2010 training camp approaches. Look for the third and final installment of this series on Thursday, September 9.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — As the saying goes in hockey, defense and goaltending is what wins championships and for the Los Angeles Kings, while their goaltending looks to be on the rise, there may be a question or two on defense, despite the presence of James Norris Trophy finalist Drew Doughty and the increasingly confident Jack Johnson. Read more of this post

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