The following article is part of a continuing series this season, where MayorsManor correspondent David Hofreiter provides commentary on prospects playing in the Canadian-based major junior leagues and US-based college hockey programs. He’ll usually spend time tracking a player, then offer some opinions and observations based on a single game or multiple games, depending on [...]
Kings’ prospect Kevin Gravel talks pressure of Frozen Four
April 11, 2013 By
Later this afternoon St. Cloud State will be competing in their first Frozen Four. And for junior defenseman Kevin Gravel (2010 Kings draft pick), it’s a dream come true. For the past three years he’s talked about his Huskies hockey team being a true up and coming program. Now, they sit on the steps of [...]
Kevin Gravel talks fellow Kings’ college hockey prospects
April 10, 2013 By
Kevin Gravel, a 6-foot-4 defenseman drafted by the Kings in 2010, is getting ready to skate in the Frozen Four for the first time. We had a chance to catch up with him last night as he and his St Cloud State teammates prepare for perhaps the biggest weekend of their lives.
In the first of [...]
EXCLUSIVE: Lombardi confirms interest in signing Kings’ top college prospects
April 3, 2013 By
While the Kings were seemingly represented by dozens of prospects in junior hockey over the past few seasons, this year saw a bit of change – as most of LA’s key amateur players were on the rosters of U.S. college teams.
However, the shifting tide isn’t that surprising because Los Angeles has had a greater than average number of former NCAA players on their [...]
College hockey playoffs underway – Kings prospects on TV
March 29, 2013 By
It’s time for March Madness of a different sort – this one is on ice!
Five Kings’ prospects will be participating in this year’s NCAA post-season hockey tournament. For those not familiar with the finer points, it works similar to the college basketball format – all games are ‘one and done,’ with the winner advancing and [...]
Coaches evaluations following LA Kings Dev Camp
July 16, 2012 By
Now that the Kings have wrapped up their annual Development Camp, it’s time to see what some of the coaches and players thought of the experience. We’ll start off with Nelson Emerson (player development coach) and Kim Dillabaugh (goaltending coach). Then, in the next article, we’ll hear from several participants – including 2012 draftee Tomas [...]
LA Kings Dev Camp 2012 preview with dman Kevin Gravel
July 5, 2012 By
They say first round picks are easy to make at the NHL Draft. It’s those hidden gems in the later rounds where scouts and General Managers truly earn their keep. And if 20-year old Kevin Gravel has his way, one day he’s going to make Dean Lombardi and staff look really smart.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman recently wrapped [...]
Brian O’Neill using Mike Donnelly as inspiration
March 19, 2012 By
If your last name is O’Neill, isn’t it only appropriate that you make your professional debut on St. Patrick’s Day?
After signing a one-year contract with the LA Kings a few days prior, that’s exactly what Brian O’Neill did this past Saturday for the Manchester Monarchs. Adding an exclamation point to the evening, he also scored [...]
The Hockey News gives LA Kings prospect pool a C+
March 17, 2012 By
This year’s edition of Future Watch, a special publication put out annually by the folks at The Hockey News, brings a mixed bag of information regarding the LA Kings prospect pool. First off, they gave the team an overall grade of C+, which is quite a drop off from the A- rating of last year.
However, [...]
Kaunisto eyes twitter return, not ready for Europe though
“I’ll be back!”
That’s not Arnold Schwarzenegger uttering his famous line, it’s actually NHL prospect Ray Kaunisto talking about his impending return to twitter.
“I’m just taking a little hiatus,” he told us during a recent phone interview from his home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – YooperVille USA, if you will.
Never afraid to speak the truth, [...]