Prospects and Scouting Archives

The LA Kings and Ontario Reign announced this morning that John Wroblewski has been named as the new head coach of the Reign. Wroblewski is the second head coach in AHL-Ontario franchise history, and is the fifth head coach behind the bench for either Manchester or Ontario. Wroblewski joins the ... Full Story

Catching Up with the 2019 Draft Class

By Jack Jablonski For LAKingsInsider.comAugust 12, 20200 Comments

NHL DraftProspects and Scouting14 min read

We’re one year removed from the 2019 NHL Draft, in which the Kings made nine selections, including four picks in the first two rounds. Instantly, not only were the members of the Kings Hockey Ops excited about their nine new prospects, but the media had consistently touted the Kings as one of the “w... Full Story

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler evaluates the Kings prospect pool

By Kaylea Konoval For LAKingsInsider.comAugust 4, 20200 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and ScoutingUncategorized12 min read

In case you missed it, the Reigny Day Podcast at the start of this week featured Cameron Close and Zach Dooley interviewing The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler. Most Kings fans will remember this past February when Wheeler’s prospect rankings ultimately ended with the Kings having the first overall prospec... Full Story

An Inside Look At Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti & the Scouting Process

Nick Nickson For LAKingsInsider.comJuly 24, 20200 Comments

MiscellaneousProspects and ScoutingUncategorized11 min read

In my nearly 45 years of covering pro hockey I remain intrigued by what goes into scouting and rating a hockey prospect. It was about nine years ago that then-Kings GM Dean Lombardi and the “Original Insider” Rich Hammond and I had an off night in Calgary. Dean invited the two of us to go to the jun... Full Story

Draft Lottery reactions from Robitaille & Yannetti, + a look at early mocks

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comJune 29, 20200 Comments

NHL DraftProspects and ScoutingVideo7 min read

The LA Kings will select second overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. It's no longer new news, but it still feels nice to say. Immediately following Friday's Draft Lottery, Kings General Manager Rob Blake spoke with local and national media about his early thoughts and excitement about acquiring the sec... Full Story

Mikey Eyssimont used a big summer to make important strides in Year 2

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comJune 24, 20200 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting6 min read

The introduction to the American Hockey League can be challenging for young players. Forward Mikey Eyssimont was not only no exception to that during his rookie campaign, but perhaps even a poster child for the transition. As one of the more highly touted first-year players during the 2018-19 se... Full Story

As opportunity called, Matthew Villalta excelled during rookie season

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comJune 16, 20200 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting6 min read

February 5 was an important day for the 2019-20 Ontario Reign. The team was in the midst of a 5-0-1 run, including four straight victories. And then, the news broke. As the LA Kings continued their plan of rebuilding the roster, it was announced that goaltender Jack Campbell, along with forwa... Full Story

Clague heading into crucial year three after NHL debut, AHL All-Star Game in 2019-20

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comMay 28, 20200 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting8 min read

It’s important to see strides of development with younger players. There’s no one route or path for them to take, there’s no blueprint for how every player should develop, but when a player advances from season-to-season, growth in certain areas is necessary and growth was the name of the game fo... Full Story

Jaret Anderson-Dolan navigated, developed & thrived during rookie season

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comMay 20, 20200 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting7 min read

Between team-leading numbers and rave reviews, it was a pretty successful rookie campaign for forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan. The 20-year-old led all Reign skaters with 20 assists, led a large group of first-year skaters in Ontario with 28 points and earned a January recall to the NHL, where he pla... Full Story

Hults named Big Ten Player of the Year; Ingham named OHL Humanitarian of the Year

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comMay 12, 20200 Comments

AwardsProspects and Scouting3 min read

Good afternoon, Insiders - A couple of awards have been dished out this week to LA Kings prospects for their work both on and off the ice. We'll start on the ice, just because it'll be nice to talk about being on the ice. Kings defensive prospect Cole Hults was honored on Monday as both the Big ... Full Story

Reign takeaways from Rob Blake conference call

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comMay 7, 20200 Comments

Media AvailabilityProspects and Scouting5 min read

Kings General Manager Rob Blake spoke to media on an extended call yesterday and covered a variety of subjects, including several Ontario Reign related notes. For Part 1 of the call from an LAKI perspective, click here...with more to come! Blake talked about a trio of young defensemen – Mikey And... Full Story

Prospect Roundup – Spence, Ingham, OHL, Podcasts

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comApril 6, 20200 Comments

Prospects and Scouting4 min read

Insiders! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in these times. I’m sure it’s been as challenging for you as it has been for me to not be around the rink, but if I’ve learned one thing working in this organization, it’s that if Stutts tells me to stay inside, I’m going to stay inside. Wis... Full Story

“Special” Bjornfot continues to grow in rookie season, thriving on pair with LaDue

By Zach Dooley For LAKingsInsider.comFebruary 11, 20200 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting6 min read

Amidst all of the roster moves, the recalls and send downs, the line changes and alterations, one constant for the Ontario Reign for much of this season has been the defensive pairing of Tobias Bjornfot and Paul LaDue. The 18-year-old rookie and the 27-year-old veteran have partnered with each o... Full Story