Three LA Kings’ draft picks you forgot played in the WHL
The WHL has officially set their 2020-2021 start date, prompting a trip down memory lane for LA Kings draft picks who played in the league.
While the NHL navigates the COVID pandemic, one of the hot topics post-draft is when the 2020-2021 season will begin. 31 teams have new toys to play with, and many of them are left uncertain where they will begin their professional careers. However, the WHL has provided some hope, as the league has reportedly set its start date for January 8, 2021.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1316498767705563137?s=20
I would expect the AHL and OHL to tentatively set similar dates, as representatives of the former have indicated that they don’t plan to begin the new league year before the NHL. But the OHL is left in a bit of a limbo as COVID cases continue to soar within the Province. And for the LA Kings, that could leave Quinton Byfield looking for a new league to play.
The Kings roster has notable WHL graduates in Austin Wagner, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Kale Clague. All three are expected to contribute at the NHL level next year-some more than others.
But let’s take a look at three Kings’ draft picks who got their professional careers underway in the WHL.
LA Kings 2010 Draft – Jordan Weal
Jordan Weal was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NHL Draft. In his draft year, the Saskatoon native scored 35 goals with 67 assists in 72 games for Regina. He was an alternate captain for the Canada U18 team in the World Juniors, scoring 3 goals with 6 assists in 6 games.
About nine months after being drafted, Weal was inked to a three-year entry-level contract, winning the Calder Cup with the Manchester Monarchs in their last year of existence in 2015. At that point, Weal had failed to make his NHL debut, and with the Kings having two Stanley Cups in hand, he was traded to the Flyers for Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn.
Two organizations later, the 28-year-old finished out the COVID-shortened season with the Canadiens, scoring 10 points in 16 games. And in April, Montreal signed him to a two-year contract extension.
LA Kings 2009 Draft – Brayden Schenn
The brother of Luke Schenn, Brayden, was taken with the fifth overall pick in 2009. He was an alternate captain for the Brandon Wheat Kings, scoring 32 goals with 56 assists in 70 games in his draft year.
He played just one game with the Kings the following season while continuing to develop in the WHL, serving as Brandon’s captain. Schenn signed his three-year ELC in March 2010, playing in 8 games for the Kings while registering just 2 assists. He was traded from Brandon to Saskatoon, scoring 53 points in 27 games before joining Manchester for 7 games.
In the World Juniors, Schenn was named an alternate captain and scored 8 goals with 10 assists in 7 games. In June 2011, he was traded to the Flyers (along with Wayne Simmonds) for Mike Richards and Rob Bordson.
On draft day in 2017, he was traded from the Flyers to the Blues, scoring 17 goals with 37 assists in 72 games the year St. Louis won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. He’s developed into a consistent 20+ goals, 30+ assists guy, and was signed to an eight-year contract extension last October.
LA Kings 2007 Draft – Thomas Hickey
Selected with the fourth overall pick in 2007, Thomas Hickey had only 9 goals but chipped in 41 assists for the Seattle Thunderbirds in his draft year. And his profile as a pass-first guy as held true. About a month after being drafted, Hickey signed his ELC, and his time in the Kings’ organization was basically one injury after another.
He suffered a significant shoulder injury in November 2009, limiting his year to only 19 games. He returned to the Manchester Monarchs for the next three seasons, serving as an alternate captain. With Manchester, Hickey tallied 12 goals and 50 assists in those three years.
He was claimed off waivers by the Islanders in January 2013, thus ending his time in LA. Injuries have continued to derail his career, playing in only 14 games last season with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate. The 31-year-old has two years left on his deal in New York, but with a crowded left side on defense, Hickey’s playing time next year is going to be hard to come by.
Next. Prospects slipped in The Athletic’s rankings. dark
It’s worth noting that he was the Islanders’ nominee for the Bill Masteron Memorial Trophy after dealing with his brother’s death.