Doughty also has Devils connection

Just when it seemed as though all of the connections between the Kings and the New Jersey Devils had been exhausted, another popped up. (Also, a lesson to young journalists out there: no matter how hold the players are, their parents are still good sources for information.) Drew Doughty has made his name with the Kings, but Doughty developed his skill at an even younger age, in the junior-level Ontario Hockey League. Dave Barr drafted Doughty, as the general manager for the Guelph Storm, and also coached him for three seasons.

The year Doughty left Guelph, Barr also left, to become an NHL assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche. Barr then spent two seasons as an assistant with the Minnesota Wild and, this season, signed on as an assistant under first-year Devils coach Peter DeBoer. Today, Doughty talked about his memories from Guelph and how Barr helped him develop as a player.

DOUGHTY: “When I joined the OHL, in Guelph at first, he turned me into — a was pretty much just an offensive defenseman. I was a liability in my own zone, and he taught me how to play defense. Now, after seven years, I think I’ve definitely become a really good defensive defenseman when I have to be, shutting down the other teams’ best lines every night, and a lot of that credit can go to him. .. He did a great job. I had great coaching in Guelph and he helped me be the player I am today.’’

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