This past week featured some movement of players, as well as a few injuries. Additionally, several previously inactive LA Kings prospects saw a little game action.
EUROPE
Lias Andersson: Forward, HV71, SEL (1st round pick in 2017)
Regular season: 2 goal, 4 assists, minus-2, 4 PIM in 8 games played
Andersson’s return to play after the Karjala Cup faced some delays as COVID caused games to be postponed.
Tobias Björnfot: Defense, Djurgårdens IF, SEL (1st round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, minus-1, 29 PIM in 7 games played
The stalwart had a chance to move his feet after suspension and games rescheduled due to COVID. However, he didn’t find his name on the scoresheet.
Have confirmed, LA Kings will release @Tobiasbjornfot to Team Sweden for #WorldJuniors, regardless of NHL camp dates. https://t.co/zf3OZHkisZ
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) November 15, 2020
Martin Chromiak, Forward, HK Dukla Trencin, Slovakia (5th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 0 goals, 3 assists, minus-3, 0 PIM in 3 games played
The skilled Slovak crossed the Atlantic this past week, and posted three helpers in as many games.
Getting some game time is good news. An assist in his first outing. Good job staying onside and finding his man with a pretty setup. https://t.co/Y9WSgfbyGz
— The Armchair Scout (@Davidenkness) November 12, 2020
Aidan Dudas: Forward, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (4th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: N/A
Dudas saw himself blanked en route to a 5-1 loss during his first outing at the Magenta Cup. Berlin is scheduled to play a pair of games this coming week, with tournament matchups set for Thursday and Saturday.
Samuel Fagemo: Forward, Södertälje SK, Allsvenskan (2nd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 5 goals, 5 assists, plus-0, 0 PIM in 17 games played
LA’s 2019 second-round pick almost hit the 21-minute mark in ice time as he posted 2 assists in a 9-1 win..
One of Fagemo's two assists en route to a 9-1 win https://t.co/WVz7WUgSnc
— The Armchair Scout (@Davidenkness) November 11, 2020
Helge Grans: Defense, Malmö Redhawks, SHL (2nd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 2 goals, 4 assists, minus-6, 0 PIM in 11 games played
Grans was a healthy scratch this past week.
Brief prospect update:
LA Kings 2020 draftee Helge Grans was healthy scratched again today. Basically, Malmo recently acquired another defenseman so they have too many. Other teams have shown interest; hasn't been traded yet. Needs to play before WJC camp. Something to monitor.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) November 12, 2020
Carl Grundström: Forward, IF Björklöven , Allsvenskan (2nd round pick in 2016)
Regular season: 2 goals, 6 assists, plus-4, 12 PIM in 10 games played
COVID continued to have an impact around the world. IF Bjorkloven’s single game was rescheduled. He’s slated to hit the ice again on November 18.
Jacob Ingham: Goalie, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (6th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: N/A
Ingham served as a backup for Berlin this past week. Berlin is scheduled to play again this coming Thursday and Saturday.
Aatu Jämsen: Forward, Pelicans U20, U20 SM-sarja (7th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 9 goals, 20 assists, plus-12, 22 PIM in 18 games played
The skilled forward took a big open ice hit in the first period on Friday, which took him out for the rest of the game. He also missed the following day, as well.
Juho Markkanen: Goalie, Ketterä, Mestis (4th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 3-1-2, 2.77 GAA, .890 SV%, 1 SO in 6 games played
Markkanen went 1-1 this past week in the Finland junior leagues, including a 39-save performance. He was beaten with less than 3 minutes remaining in regulation.
Jacob Moverare: Defense, SaiPa, Liiga (4th round pick in 2016)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, minus-4, 29 PIM in 7 games played
Moverare remains out due to a lower body injury. As we understand things, he’s currently planning to return for SaiPa’s next game, scheduled for Friday.
Kim Nousiainen: Defense, KalPa, Liiga (4th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 3 goals, 1 assist, plus-6, 4 PIM in 10 games played
The defender’s cooled down a bit after being blanked in all three tilts this week.
Lukáš Pařík: Goalie, Spokane Chiefs, WHL (3rd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 3-1-2, 3.64 GAA, .881 SV%, 0 Shutouts in 6 games played
After returning from tournament action, the Czech-born goaltender sat out as Benatky experienced continued postponements from COVID.
Bulat Shafigullin: Forward, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, KHL (3rd round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 1 goal, 2 assists, minus-7, 29 PIM in 20 games played
The Russian forward posted two helpers in the game following his first career goal. His offense output has since dipped; he did manage to post 25 penalty minutes for slashing in the last game.
Kasper Simontaival: Forward, Tappara, Liiga (3rd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, plus-1, 2 PIM in 5 games played (Liiga)
3 goals, 4 assists, plus-1, 4 PIM in 5 games played (Mestis)
The stocky Finnish forward returned to Liiga this past week, though he was blanked in his return.
Johan Sodergran: Forward, Almtuna, Allsvenskan (6th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 1 goal, 2 assists, minus-2, 6 PIM in 12 games played
COVID postponed Almtuna’s games due to safety reasons. The next bout has been scheduled for November 18.
Akil Thomas: Forward, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (2nd round pick in 2018)
Regular season: NA
Like fellow Kings prospect and teammate Dudas, LA’s 2018 second pick was blanked in his first Magenta Cup appearance. He’ll get another chance to score a goal in Germany when Berlin suits up for games this coming Thursday and Saturday.
NCAA + USHL
Braden Doyle: Defense, Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL (6th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 0 goals, 2 assists, minus-2, 2 PIM in 2 games played
Yet another postponement due to COVID kept Dubuque from getting on the ice this past week.
Brock Faber: Defense, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Big Ten (2nd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
Though not seeing any action this past week, Faber prepared for his season to start this upcoming Thursday against Penn State.
Dávid Hrenák: Goalie, St. Cloud State University Huskies, NCHC (5th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: NA
The Slovak netminder awaits the December 1 start date for SCSU. He, along with fellow Kings prospect Andre Lee, starred in this week’s episode of Kings of the Podcast.
(new show) Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. Q26 w/ Andre Lee and David Hrenak
Includes:
– LA news items
– @RiverHawkHockey and @SCSUHUSKIES_MH
– Nicknames, cartoons, karate lessons
– Soccer v NFL
– Craig Johnson
– Fagemo, Meehan, Eyssimont, Anderson, etcLISTEN https://t.co/dMYZ2CPtRT pic.twitter.com/0EkdSwVGqh
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) November 13, 2020
Alex Laferriere: Forward, Des Moines Buccaneers, USHL (3rd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
Laferriere has faced a couple tough breaks, and his regular season has yet to start. He heard news of the Ivy League canceling the season due to COVID, plus the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) have had three games postponed for the same reason. He has committed to playing hockey in the USHL now, just hasn’t had a chance to begin the season.
Andre Lee: Forward, UMass-Lowell River Hawks, Hockey East (7th round pick in 2019)
Regular Season: NA
UMass announced an official 2020-21 schedule, with their season slated to begin on Friday, November 27. Lee was also listed in The Hockey News’ top 100 NCAA players to watch.
https://twitter.com/RiverHawkHockey/status/1326617052623360002
Ben Meehan: Defense, UMass-Lowell River Hawks, Hockey East (6th round pick in 2020)
Regular Season: NA
Along with Lee, the River Hawks freshman was also recognized as a top 100 NCAA player to watch. He ranked 64th.
Two current River Hawks on this list (no respect, we tell ya).
Freshman D Ben Meehan (#64)
Sophomore F Andre Lee (#94)#UnitedInBlue https://t.co/Cry97grTTf— UMass Lowell Hockey (@RiverHawkHockey) November 13, 2020
CANADIAN JUNIOR LEAGUES
Quinton Byfield, Forward, Sudbury Wolves, OHL (1st round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
Byfield didn’t play this past week, though he starts with Canada’s WJC selection camp on Monday.
TOMORROW IT BEGINS…#WorldJuniors season kicks off with @HC_WJC Selection Camp in Red Deer.
LA Kings prospect @byfield55 will be there. He also stopped by Kings of the Podcast recently to talk about that and plenty more.
LISTEN HERE https://t.co/nD5DrW5WXx pic.twitter.com/OPhnpmy3cG
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) November 15, 2020
Arthur Kaliyev: Forward, Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL (2nd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: NA
As Kaliyev continues training in Southern California, he has his eyes focused on representing Team USA for World Juniors. Their camp is set to begin in early December.
Jordan Spence: Defense, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (4th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 5 goals, 11 assists, minus-4, 14 PIM in 13 games played
Spence saw his ten-game scoring streak come to an end on Saturday. In that span, he recorded 15 points (5 G, 10 A). Like Byfield, he’s off to World Junior camp with Team Canada this week.
NOTE: Author David Hofreiter can be found on Twitter @Davidenkness if you’re interested in talking more hockey with him or asking further questions about these players. Davis Green was the lead contributor in the gathering of information used in this article. You can find him on Twitter @davisgreen_.
