Angus Booth added to Ontario Reign 2024 Calder Cup Playoff Roster

Defenseman Angus Booth has been added to the playoff roster for the Ontario Reign, as they continue their third-round matchup against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Booth signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings earlier this season, which is expected to slide to begin with the 2024-25 campaign, and now he’ll join Ontario for the remainder of its playoff push.

Booth recently completed his QMJHL career with Baie-Comeau Drakkar, as his team advanced to the QMJHL Finals, the second finals series that Booth has participated in. Booth won the QMJHL championship Shawinigan Cataractes back in 2022 and went on to participate in the Memorial Cup, finishing third in the overall tournament.

The Quebec native joins an Ontario team that currently trails Coachella Valley 1-0 in a best-of-five series. The two teams return to action tomorrow night in Palm Desert, before the series shifts to Ontario for a Sunday evening faceoff in Game 3 at Toyota Arena. Not sure exactly how or if Booth might factor into the picture at the AHL level with Ontario possessing a veteran-laden group on the backend, complementing drafted prospects such as Brandt Clarke and Kim Nousiainen. The Reign have established AHL players like Kevin Connauton, Steven Santini and Joe Hicketts on the blueline, proven veterans who have a ton of experience at that level. Booth presents another option in the mix, but don’t simply expect him to slot into the lineup, with younger players like Francesco Pinelli and Martin Chromiak currently sitting out up front, waiting for their opportunity in a Reign lineup that has had a ton of contributors in the bottom six throughout their postseason run. Those guys are all options, but the Reign are playing the lineup they believe gives them the best chance on a given night to win.

Will see how it plays out, but regardless, he’ll be with the team the rest of the way. As he gains experience at that level, whether that be in practice, professional mannerisms and habits, it’s something he can take with him into next season. Getting that end-of-season experience is an asset that players like Clarke and Alex Laferriere talked about this season as being beneficial for them when starting their first, full professional seasons. It’s important experience for younger players and the Kings will be excited to give that to Booth.

Booth is expected to wear #24 in Ontario.

More on Booth below, from his entry-level contract signed with the Kings back in January.

From the team’s official release –

Booth, 20, was selected by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft with the 116th overall pick. He then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team on Dec. 29, 2023.

The blueliner totaled 28 points on three goals and 25 assists (3-25=28) in 61 regular season games with the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) this season. He recently appeared in 17 postseason contests with Baie-Comeau, earning three assists and a plus-eight rating. Prior to joining Baie-Comeau, Booth was named captain with Shawinigan in his third season with the club.

In 198 games during his junior career, which spanned four seasons, Booth had 73 points on seven goals and 66 assists (7-66=73). He helped the Cataractes capture the QMJHL Gilles-Courteau Trophy as playoff champions in 2022 with four points on two goals and two assists in 16 contests.

Booth is expected to wear No. 24 with the Reign. Ontario is back in action for Game 2 of the Pacific Division Finals on Friday night in Palm Desert at Acrisure Arena.

Expect Booth to link up with the team in Coachella Valley, in advance of their game tomorrow evening. big one for Ontario as they look to even the series at one game apiece and swing home-ice advantage in their favor.