Angus Booth Returns to Rookie Faceoff Prior to First Pro Season

The Ontario Reign were on the ice in Palm Desert on the morning of May 17, preparing for Game 2 of the American Hockey League’s Pacific Division Finals against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. That’s when defenseman Angus Booth skated with the team for the first time.

Booth had arrived in the desert the previous night, fresh off the conclusion of his season in the QMJHL. He helped lead the Baie-Comeau Drakkar to the QMJHL Finals, but they were beaten by Drummondville in four games, bringing his juniors career to an end.

“It didn’t go the way we wanted it to go but I still got the playoff experience,” Booth said. “I think it’s a good experience at any level, so that was really special for me.”

He joined the Reign three days later. Ontario’s season would end in defeat shortly after, but spending time with the group was vital for Booth even though he didn’t appear in any games.

“That was super valuable for me, just being around the guys and getting to know them on a personal level after the season,” he said. “I got to watch my first games in Coachella and over here [in Ontario], so that was really cool for me to see the speed of the game. Obviously, Coachella was a great team too, so it was a high level of hockey.”

Kings management was anticipating that Booth would join the Reign the following season, so they jumped at the opportunity to bring their 2022 fourth-round selection out to Southern California.

“It was really important and management knew that,” Reign head coach Marco Sturm said. “At the end of the day, it’s going to help the player. You don’t want to come in where you don’t know anyone, whether it’s coaches, players, systems, you name it. That was huge for him.”

Booth even stuck around for another week after the season ended so that he could spend more time with the rest of the team. It was his second time joining a new group of teammates in less than a year.

He began his final season in juniors with the Shawinigan Cataractes, who he had played with for his entire QMJHL career up to that point. He had previously served as team captain and even helped Shawinigan win the league championship in 2022. In January, with Shawinigan at the bottom of the division standings, he was traded to first place Baie-Comeau to aid their playoff push.

“I think after being in the same place for three and a half years, you get pretty comfortable,” he said. “Changing teams was an eye opener and it got me more on my heels instead of staying in my comfort zone, so I think that was good for me.”

He had the opportunity to be a leader on both of his junior teams last season and now he returns to LA as one of the more experienced players at the 2024 Rookie Faceoff.

This year, he knew what to expect from camp, whether it be the testing and exercises that occur with the training staff prior to camp, or the games themselves.

“Obviously it’s hard to prepare for this tournament,” he said. “I knew coming in what the hockey was going to be like. It’s a little choppy and there’s not too many passes on the tape, but there’s a lot of effort and grit out there.”

Now at his third rookie camp and coming off a career season in the QMJHL, where he recorded 28 points and a plus-29 rating, the growth in his game has become evident. There’s a lot to like for Sturm, who leads the Kings rookies behind the bench this week.

“I think he plays more like a man now. He came in with a really good shape, you could tell. He put in a lot of effort this summer,” Sturm said. “His skating is outstanding. Yeah, he’s had some small little mistakes that he has to get better at, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen so far.”

Booth signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Kings last December and is expected to join the Reign for the upcoming AHL season, which provides him the opportunity to work with a coaching staff that he’s become familiar with over the course of the last few years.

“Since it’s my third camp I’ve been around them a lot,” he said. “I’ve talked to them a lot and it’s been awesome seeing them again. They’re really great coaches and they give great advice.”

His multiple rookie camp experiences have given him ample opportunities to work with Reign assistant coach Chris Hajt, who typically works with the defense group with the Reign and at rookie camp. Hajt’s time as an AHL assistant coach in the organization dates back to the Manchester Monarchs’ 2015 championship season, and he’s coached the likes of Mikey Anderson, Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke in recent years.

“We do video almost daily. On the ice, we’re always doing extra work just to work on the details of the game,” Booth said about his time working with Hajt. “He knows so many invaluable things. Just to be around him, listen to him, and grow as a player because of him is amazing.”

The start of the season is on the horizon, but even as a returner to camp and his familiarity with the coaching staff, Booth knows there’s no time to feel comfortable. Everyone is vying for opportunities.

“It’s not the same as it was in juniors. I think you’re never really comfortable here because everyone is fighting for a spot,” he said. “I think I’m more comfortable than I was in my first and second year, but I’m not a vet here. I’m not anything special.”

For now, Booth isn’t focusing on anything too specific. He just wants to play his game and perform as best he can at the rookie showcase.

“I think I have goals every year but this is a special year,” he said. “Obviously I want to play as many games as I can and stick in the lineup. I think as the season goes on I’ll be able to give myself more specific goals.”

He wants to stay dialed in on rookie camp and spending time with the rest of the group, who will round out the showcase on Monday.

“We have a great group of guys here. It’s my third rookie camp so I’ve been one of the guys where if anyone has questions or anything, I can just help them out,” he said. “It’s been a great experience so far and I can’t wait to finish it off on Monday.”

Booth and the Kings will conclude the Rookie Faceoff at 3:30pm against the Anaheim Ducks. Fans can watch the game for free on LAKings.com.