Kings Rookies Practice at TSPC Prior to 2024 Showcase – Lines, Leaders, Greentree & Sturm

The LA Kings rookies took the ice for practice at Toyota Sports Performance Center this morning prior to this weekend’s 2024 Rookie Faceoff.

This was the first official practice for the group after several days of skating informally, gearing up to the season. The veterans continue to do that, with a captain’s practice on the second ice sheet in El Segundo. Today, though, was formal! Ontario Reign head coach Marco Sturm and his AHL staff led the group for the first time.

“The guys were excited and maybe a little bit nervous, but that’s normal,” Sturm said. “They had a really good jump. I thought they were excited to be out there. I thought it was a good first day.”

Today’s practice was a mix of structured drills with instruction and free-flowing, quick-paced skating. One of the top priorities for the coaching staff was just to get the players back on the ice.

“There was just a little structure because I want them to have a better understanding of how we want to play as an organization,” Sturm said. “We can’t focus on that too much though because we just want them to play.

He added that they want to have a shooting mentality in the games this weekend, so some of the more structured drills focused on time spent in the offensive zone.

The Kings are scheduled to play three games at the Rookie Faceoff this weekend, which means lineup changes could be expected throughout the showcase. Most of the big name prospects skated with each other at today’s practice. Here’s how they lined up to open camp –

Greentree – Pinelli – Ziemmer
Jamsen – Lawrence – Brodzinski
Olson – Caderoth – Parker-Jones
Davis – Moynihan – Woodworth
Tulk – Wise – Neutens

Krygier – Clarke
Booth – Millar
Berge – Rowe
Woolley – Mania
Dvorak – Vaughn

Goaltenders: Portillo, George, Hay, St-Hilaire, Parsons

From this group, the Kings will trim down three forwards, four defensemen and three goaltenders to play in tomorrow’s game. Sturm is looking to get everyone who is at the camp into at least one game, which could prove trickiest in net. For others, on the veteran side, they might play in just one game, as guys who have perhaps a larger body of work. Remains to be seen, but would look at these groupings as something we could see in some form tomorrow.

Greentree’s First Showcase
Liam Greentree’s size and skill is almost always on display.

He recorded 90 points (36 goals, 54 assists) with the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League last season and was selected 26th overall by the Kings in this summer’s draft. He immediately flew to LA for development camp following the drafat and now he’s back for this weekend’s three-game slate.

“It’s super exciting but it’s been a little nerve-racking coming into this,” he said. “There’s a first time for everything, so I think it’ll be fine.”

It’s Sturm’s first opportunity to work with Greentree and see him up close. It’s something he’s been looking forward to after watching Greentree’s highlights.

“I liked what I saw today at practice,” Sturm said. “He came up to me right away and asked great questions, so his mind is already there. He seems like a really good kid and hopefully I’ll have a chance to work with him again.”

There are a few similarities between the two as well. They’re both left-handed shooting wingers who were drafted in the first round. Of course, the major difference is Sturm’s 938 NHL games.

“He’s obviously a skilled coach and he’s a guy who I can learn a lot from,” Greentree said. “Just asking him questions is a big thing [for me]. It’s really exciting.”

Greentree skated today with Pinelli and Ziemmer on what could be the top forward line tomrorow night. It’s a “kid” line in a few ways, but aren’t they all in this event. Ziemmer and Greentree do not have professional experience, as many teammates and opponents will. A good test for the 2024 first-round pick, when he gets himself into game action soon enough.

The Leadership Group
This season’s Rookie Faceoff roster includes seven players who suited up for the Reign last season, and Sturm expects that group to lead the team this weekend.

“It’s so important to have just a few of those guys around because they know exactly what I want, they know my voice and my language,” he said. “Those guys are a big help for me and those kids. It’s always nice to see that they take charge.”

That was the case with forward Francesco Pinelli at development camp earlier this summer.

Fresh off his first professional season and a deep postseason run with the Reign, Pinelli quickly emerged as a leader in camp. He doesn’t see that role changing this weekend.

“I think it’s part of my game and my personality now,” Pinelli said. “There’s new guys in this tournament and a great coaching staff, so we should listen to the gameplan and capitalize [on our opportunities] and have some fun.”

Pinelli’s no stranger to the rookie showcase. In the past, he had been one of the young players trying to make a strong first impression. Now he’s helping the younger prospects.

“I’ve been asking him a lot of questions and I think that’s a guy who I’ve been leaning on since I’ve been here,” Greentree said. “I think he’s taught me a lot so far about playing the game faster and thinking a lot faster.”

Brandt Clarke also returns after missing last season’s Rookie Faceoff. He earned AHL All-Rookie and All-Star Team honors last season in Ontario, while also appearing in 16 NHL games with the Kings. Today, he was paired with Cole Krygier, a big, left-handed defenseman who also appeared in more than 50 games for the Reign last season. More on Clarke to come later on tonight, as he approaches the weekend.

Forward Quinn Olson and defensemen Jack Millar and Luke Rowe all briefly appeared for the Reign last year after the completion of their college seasons. Rowe logged the most game time out of that trio but was still limited to just five games due to injury. Still, his leadership traits are evident. He’s the oldest player on the roster at 26 years-old and even served as a squadron commander while playing collegiate hockey at Air Force.

Goaltender Erik Portillo has been through a full, professional season as well and should serve as the leader among the netminders.

Sturm declined to share a captain for the event, but you could likely point to this group of players to pick the leadership group from. For Pinelli in particular, it’s a great opportunity for him to lead by example during the short event.

Broadcast Information
Lastly, a look at the specifics of broadcast information for the event this weekend.

The Kings will begin the 2024 Rookie Faceoff tomorrow night at 7:00pm against the Vegas Golden Knights.

For the first time games will be free to watch live from wherever you are located.

Rookie games this weekend will be available on https://t.co/qP8z4yB5Sq for everyone to watch!

Had been geolocked to LA market only in the past. Glad to see that is changed so more fans & player families can catch the games. https://t.co/Ok9UrXqBkk

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) September 12, 2024

In the past, games had been restricted by the NHL to only the markets of the two teams playing. A nice step forward, for sure, this season.

Myself and Daryl Evans will be calling all three games on LAKings.com this weekend, broadcasting live from Toyota Sports Performance Center tomorrow, Saturday and Monday.