Next week, the festivities for rookie camp and the annual Rookie Faceoff event begins for the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 11.
The Kings open rookie camp with an open practice at the Toyota Sports Performance Center on Sept. 11, before traveling up to Northern California for three games in the Rookie Faceoff. The three Rookie Faceoff games start on Sept. 12 and will be played against the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and the Utah Mammoth on Sept. 15.
Since the Kings only have four preseason games this fall, it's critical for the prospects on the rookie camp roster to make the most of their opportunity before training camp begins in a few weeks.
3 LA Kings prospects to watch during rookie camp and the Rookie Faceoff
Here are three players to watch at rookie camp for the Kings this fall.
Jared Wright, F
Winger Jared Wright is one of the more familiar players on the rookie camp roster for the Kings next week. In rookie camp and the Rookie Faceoff next week, Wright can prove that he is a level above the competition and that he's ready to compete against NHL players this fall.
Even though Wright wasn't part of the opening night roster for the Kings this past season, he eventually earned a role as a regular contributor in the bottom six last spring.
Wright debuted for the Kings late this past regular season. He made his NHL debut this past March in a game at home vs. the Colorado Avalanche. Wright also played all four postseason games for the Kings in the first round vs. the Avalanche.
In rookie camp this fall, Wright will have a real opportunity to push for a spot on the opening night roster this upcoming season. The Kings do have some veteran depth in the bottom-six, but Wright could solidify an NHL role for himself with a solid showing in camp and the preseason this fall.
Kenny Connors, F
Like Wright, forward prospect Kenny Connors debuted for the Kings in the NHL down the stretch this past regular season, playing two games in early March in the forward lineup against the Avalanche and New York Islanders.
Connors will be a really intriguing forward prospect to watch for the Kings in rookie camp and the Rookie Faceoff next week. He scored 15 goals and 41 total points in 65 games for the Ontario Reign in the AHL this past season, which earned him two appearances in the NHL.
Many in the media consider Connors to be one of the top forwards in the Kings' prospect pipeline this offseason. Connors should have an opportunity to compete for NHL playing time this upcoming season after getting his first action in the league last spring.
The big question for Connors this fall will be if he can turn heads in camp and prove that he's ready to break through for the Kings.
Henry Brzustewicz, D
The No. 1 ranked prospect in the Kings' organization this offseason (according to NHL.com), defenseman Henry Brzustewicz, will have the spotlight on him going into rookie camp next week. Brzustewicz was a star on the blue line for the London Knights in the OHL this past season, scoring 19 goals and 54 total points in 59 games played before getting the call to play for the Reign in the AHL.
Brzustewicz only played five games with the Reign this past season. He is expected to be a big part of the Ontario blue line in the AHL this upcoming season.
This fall will be about Brzustewicz showing signs that his development is on the right track in the Kings' organization. The coaching and development staff have been impressed by the progression, skating ability, and offensive instincts that Brzustewicz has shown in this past six months or so.
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