After an injury-filled season, Koehn Ziemmer used the Rookie Faceoff to begin 2024

The 2023-24 Western Hockey League season proved challenging for Kings’ 2023 third round selection Koehn Ziemmer. He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Kings last November but was injured in a WHL just ten games later.

He had dazzled through his first 23 games with the Prince George Cougars, totaling 31 points on 11 goals and 20 assists. He underwent ankle surgery in LA in early December and missed the Cougars’ next 41 games. He returned for the final three games of the regular season and helped lead Prince George on a deep postseason run that ended in the third round of the WHL playoffs.

Now this summer, one year after he was selected 78th overall by the Kings, he returned to LA looking to get back on track.

“I’m just excited to get back after not being able to play at all last year,” Ziemmer said. “I only got 20 games in, which was hard. I’m not used to that, so I’m excited to get back and get going.”

The injury was the first of his career and it took some time getting back up to speed.

“Obviously the injury was tough with not being able to play, but I thought my skating got better over the summer here,” Ziemmer said. “I picked up my pace a little bit. That was the biggest thing.”

He acknowledged that his biggest setback from the ankle injury was his skating. He’s a quick, crafty forward and is constantly darting around the ice. Getting his skating back to normal, and then improving on it, was a must.

“He has the ability to have an opening and those moments in the game where he has a really good opportunity to score, a lot of guys don’t have that,” Ontario Reign head coach Marco Sturm said. “Now we’ve just got to make sure that his brain, hands and feet are all working together as one. I think he’s still searching for that.”

Sturm and his Reign staff led the Kings rookies over the weekend at the Rookie Faceoff, just as they have done the last three seasons. They also led the LA bench during parts of the preseason last year while the Kings staff was in Australia for the NHL Global Series. The Kings team that began the NHL preseason in North America was comprised of AHL players and prospects, including Ziemmer, so the Reign staff has had plenty of opportunities to work with him.

Ziemmer appeared in all three games for the Kings during the rookie showcase, which was necessary to get him back up to game speed before the next season begins.

“He’s had some touch stretches and has been out for quite a bit, and I think you could tell a little bit,” Sturm said. “I think he needs a little more time but he’s always dangerous around the net.”

And Ziemmer was dangerous.

The games at the Rookie Faceoff are unpredictable. The earlier contests are typically pretty choppy, as most of the participants have never played with each other before. Eventually, the games get faster and start to open up a little bit. That’s where Ziemmer found ways to take advantage of his abilities.

“I think there were some sloppy games, we’re kind of just getting into things,” Ziemmer said. “We’re building every day here. The big thing [for me] is that it’s the second time around and knowing what to expect. I’ve had a little more confidence.”

That confidence was on display on the ice.

As the showcase progressed, Ziemmer found more opportunities to attack in the offensive zone and increase the pace of the game. It certainly helped that he spent a significant portion of the weekend on a line with the Kings’ recent first round draft selection Liam Greentree. He also skated with Francesco Pinelli, three top prospects playing together.

“Obviously those guys are really good players and they’re easy to play with,” Ziemmer said. “They both have a ton of skill, and a little bit of grit to go with it, so they’re definitely easy to get with.”

Each member of the trio has different skillsets that could compliment one another. Ziemmer is fast and aggressive, Greentree is strong and skilled, and Pinelli is a well-rounded center with a full season of pro experience.

“It should be a more straightforward, up-and-down line for me,” Sturm said. “When they play the right way and to their strengths as a line, and as individuals, they’re going to be good hockey players.”

The three forwards are all at different stages of their careers, leading to different expectations for camp and the upcoming season.

The 18-year-old Greentree will almost certainly return to the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League, where he recorded 90 points in 64 games last season. Pinelli, who rounded out his game in the AHL last year, will return to the Reign for his second professional season.

Ziemmer’s future, however, isn’t as clear. The 19-year-old is eligible to play in the AHL this year but can also return to the WHL for his fourth season. If the decision was up to the player, the choice would be clear.

“This year, I want to play pro. My goal is to stick around here for the year,” Ziemmer said. “I think coming into [this year’s camp] knowing what’s going to happen and going through it the year before gave me more confidence.”

Ziemmer’s skill and confidence is evident, but before a decision on his future can be made, the Reign staff want to see more.

“He’s a guy who has missed a lot of hockey. I think he’s one of those players who also needs a little bit of time,” Sturm said.

The biggest factor for Ziemmer may in fact be consistent playing time. He was limited to just 38 regular season and playoff games in the WHL last season, and if he were to play in the AHL this season, it’s unclear if he would become a mainstay in the Ontario lineup.

He’d likely be one of the top players in the WHL if he returns to junior hockey but more importantly, he’d have plenty of opportunities to continue developing before joining the Reign full time in the future.

Regardless of what his future holds, his goal for camp was clear.

“I just want to come in here and play my game to make the decision for [the coaches] easier,” he said. “Showing them my game and being able to connect with them and get their thoughts on things is always good.”

The Kings return to the ice on Thursday to begin NHL training camp and we’ll have full coverage on LAKI.