Several months have passed since we had the three stars for the month. In these days, all who have endured the trials and tribulations of COVID deserve special recognition. Some have certainly brought more of a positive light upon themselves during this global battle, and the hockey circuit certainly has some standots in the Kings organization.
NOVEMBER’S TOP PERFORMERS
NO. 3 STAR
Brock Faber: Defense, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Big Ten (2nd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 1 goals, 0 assists, plus-4, 0 PIM in 6 games played
While there’s not a specific metric or number alone which stands out, the freshman has a collection of standout details which should be garnering your attention. He notched his first career goal in his third career game – he was also credited with an assist before it was taken away from him. He has held his own and been a regular in the lineup of the undefeated Golden Gophers, who are now 6-0. Minnesota sits among the top in goals against, reinforcing his defensive acumen. Perhaps most notably, Faber’s invitation to United States’ World Junior Selection Camp as one of two right-handed blueliners makes him a strong candidate to don the red, white, and blue near December’s end.
1ST GOAL ALERT
🚨 Brock Faber
1-0 Minnesota pic.twitter.com/RrdGxPD9Ot— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) November 24, 2020
NO. 2 STAR
Aatu Jämsen: Forward, Pelicans U20, U20 SM-sarja (7th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 10 goals, 26 assists, plus-12, 28 PIM in 24 games played
As a stark contrast in comparison to the aforementioned Faber, Los Angeles’ latest draft pick brought attention to himself based on numbers. He sits second overall in the entire U20 SM-sarja league in scoring, producing at a steady 1.5 points-per-game pace. The league is of lower quality, so his standout season so far wasn’t enough to earn an invite to Finland’s national team. He has made a case for himself to be promoted to the higher leagues, which we will continue to monitor.
NO. 1 STAR
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
COVID has provided many obstacles for players to play and contribute on a consistent basis. The alternate captain of Moncton, however, has demonstrated qualities of the second and third stars combined. His invitation to Team Canada’s World Junior selection camp, as well as his offensive contributions, made him a stand out. Spence’s 16 points put him tied for fourth overall among blueliners.
It has been a difficult several months for all, yet Spence’s scoring consistency, defensive contributions, and recognition in both the local and international circuit made him the number one prospect in the Kings’ pipeline for November.
Jakob Pelletier (CGY) tips in a point shot to cut the lead to 4-2. Cole Perfetti (WPG) and Jordan Spence (LAK) with the assists pic.twitter.com/ZF6Z4qZxfa
— Team Canada Hockey (@CanadaWorldJ) November 22, 2020
NOTES
– The 11 prospects we predicted would be part of their respective teams’ World Junior evaluation camps have all received their invitations. If all invited players make it, it would be the most prospects the Kings have ever had representing their home country.
There you have it…
Finland announces WJC selection camp roster, and now the LA Kings officially have 11 prospects at various camps:
🔘 Turcotte
🔘 Kaliyev
🔘 Faber
🔘 Spence
🔘 Byfield
🔘 Björnfot
🔘 Grans
🔘 Markkanen
🔘 Simontaival
🔘 Parik
🔘 Chromiak#WorldJuniors https://t.co/BL4XqkM8JY— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) December 4, 2020
– Aidan Dudas and Akil Thomas returned to North America due to the cancellation of Berlin’s games. Ingham also returned a few days prior, as he prepared for training camp in the ECHL.
No surprise really – Berlin games now officially cancelled, so Dudas and Thomas won't play another game in Germany. Headed home this weekend, as we reported yesterday. https://t.co/URJpdB4Olh
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) December 4, 2020
– Bulat Shafigullin has experienced a breakout season so far. In his last six games, he has scored as many points as the two previous seasons in the KHL combined. He also scored his first (and second) career KHL goals, after going 66 games in the KHL of not finding the net.
Shafigullin's first career KHL goal https://t.co/Fa9ddcSvUf
— The Armchair Scout (@Davidenkness) November 8, 2020
– David Hrenák has been a key in turning his team around. Last season, it took St. Cloud eight games to get two wins. They have already hit that mark in their first pair of matches this season.
Great pass by Bobby Brink (@NHLFlyers) to spring Cole Guttman (@TBLightning) for a breakaway.
Dávid Hrenak (@LAKings) with the huge stop. pic.twitter.com/mPjQBybmJ5
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) December 6, 2020
– Helge Grans missed almost a month of play, missing four games due to the coach healthy scratching him. He returned to play on Thanksgiving Day, and has posted an assist in the five appearances since returning.
Kings prospect Helge Grans with a primary assist last night for Malmo.
H.G: https://t.co/pbtn8qKyl6
#SHL #MIF #LAKings pic.twitter.com/tzUQqXWs5o— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) December 4, 2020
NUMBERS
Lias Andersson: Forward, HV71, SEL (1st round pick in 2017)
Regular season: 4 goals, 6 assists, minus-1, 4 PIM in 15 games played
Tobias Björnfot: Defense, Djurgårdens IF, SEL (1st round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 1 goal, 2 assists, plus-3, 33 PIM in 15 games played
Quinton Byfield, Forward, Sudbury Wolves, OHL (1st round pick in 2020)
Regular season: NA
Martin Chromiak, Forward, HK Dukla Trencin, Slovakia (5th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 2 goals, 3 assists, plus-0, 0 PIM in 8 games played
Braden Doyle: Defense, Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL (6th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 0 goals, 2 assists, plus-1, 2 PIM in 5 games played
Aidan Dudas: Forward, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (4th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: N/A
Samuel Fagemo: Forward, Södertälje SK, Allsvenskan (2nd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 6 goals, 5 assists, plus-0, 4 PIM in 18 games played
Helge Grans: Defense, Malmö Redhawks, SHL (2nd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 2 goals, 5 assists, minus-9, 0 PIM in 16 games played
Carl Grundström: Forward, IF Björklöven , Allsvenskan (2nd round pick in 2016)
Regular season: 5 goals, 8 assists, plus-3, 26 PIM in 17 games played
Dávid Hrenák: Goalie, St. Cloud State University Huskies, NCHC (5th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 2-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .895 SV%, 0 SO in 2 games played
Jacob Ingham: Goalie, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (6th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: N/A
Arthur Kaliyev: Forward, Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL (2nd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: NA
Alex Laferriere: Forward, Des Moines Buccaneers, USHL (3rd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 0 goals, 0 assists, minus-1, 17 PIM in 3 games played
Andre Lee: Forward, UMass-Lowell River Hawks, Hockey East (7th round pick in 2019)
Regular Season: NA
Ben Meehan: Defense, UMass-Lowell River Hawks, Hockey East (6th round pick in 2020)
Regular Season: NA
Juho Markkanen: Goalie, Ketterä, Mestis (4th round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 3-2-2, 2.66 GAA, .892 SV%, 1 SO in 7 games played
Jacob Moverare: Defense, SaiPa, Liiga (4th round pick in 2016)
Regular season: 0 goals, 5 assists, minus-1, 29 PIM in 11 games played
Kim Nousiainen: Defense, KalPa, Liiga (4th round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 4 goals, 2 assists, plus-6, 4 PIM in 16 games played
Lukáš Pařík: Goalie, HC Benatky nad Jizerou, Czech Chance League (3rd round pick in 2019)
Regular season: 5-3-2, 3.28 GAA, .896 SV%, 0 Shutouts in 10 games played
Bulat Shafigullin: Forward, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, KHL (3rd round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 2 goals, 6 assists, minus-5, 29 PIM in 28 games played
Kasper Simontaival: Forward, Tappara, Liiga (3rd round pick in 2020)
Regular season: 0 goals, 1 assist, plus-1, 4 PIM in 7 games played (Liiga)
3 goals, 4 assists, plus-1, 4 PIM in 5 games played (Mestis)
Johan Sodergran: Forward, Almtuna, Allsvenskan (6th round pick in 2018)
Regular season: 1 goal, 2 assists, minus-2, 6 PIM in 12 games played
Akil Thomas: Forward, Eisbären Berlin, DEL (2nd round pick in 2018)
Regular season: NA
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_.