Kings Rookie Camp Report

Summer is officially over, and it's time for hockey season! The rookie prospects reported to camp today for their first public practice at Toyota Sports Center. This time last year, a newly drafted 18 year-old named Drew Doughty took the ice and blew everyone away, making the team shortly after. Speaking of Drew, I actually caught him checking out a little bit of practice (he's in the baseball cap behind the glass).



Kings fans know Drew is special, and today proved just how special he is. While there were some great performances, I don't see any surprises in the Doughty mode happening this year. But that just means our minor league team, the Manchester Monarchs, is going to have a tremendous year. This organization has some talent coming up the ranks! Makes me proud to be a Kings fan.





And I just love that the dots are back! Coach Murray's patented defensive skills system strikes again. Start 'em early, coach!



Here's a quick breakdown on who I liked.

Thomas Hickey - his time in junior served him well, as did his experience as the captain of Team Canada's World Junior squad. He's got moves, he's getting bigger, and he's closer to cracking the roster. But my bet still says another year in Manchester, where he should excel.



Viatcheslav Voynov - Thank God the last name is easier than the first! Solid puck handler, very good skater, solid size-wise but could get a little bigger. Give him another year in Manchester and he'll be ready as well. On the personal side, I like hockey hair, but his is so long and straight it makes him look like a girl. Good thing he doesn't play like one.



Andrei Loktionov - LOVE this kid! He won the Memorial Cup (the junior equivalent of Stanley) with the Windsor Spitfires last year. He's SO FAST every time I tried to take a picture he was blur. I caught him standing still in a stroke of pure luck! So strong on the puck, and he's got this intensity in his eyes I love. He's a little undersized for an NHL center at 5' 11", but he's got time to grow. If (and it's a big IF) anyone can crack the NHL roster this year, my money is on Jimmy Neutron (his nickname in Windsor).



My dark horse is Brandon Kozun - he's a little guy (5' 8"), but he doesn't play like it. He reminds me a bit of Oscar Moller. Fast skater, good puck handler, and not afraid to rough it up with guys a head taller if he can hang on to the puck. He's a fighter and hard worker, and that's going to take him a long way. Will it get him to the NHL? Only time will tell. But I'm gonna be rooting for him to make it.



Last but not least we have Dennis McCauley, who was participating on tryout. He plays for Northeastern (NCAA), and was clearly behind a lot of the other guys. But at 6' 3" and 205 lbs, he's a big left winger, and lord knows the Kings can use those. If he can work on his skating, he might have a chance. Plus, he's nice eye candy. OK, not a good reason to keep him around, but an honest one.



Special props to Jen and Bri for being color-coordinated so early on a Sunday morning! And for scaring up the player rosters so I knew who I watching.



We'll be back for another around tomorrow, boys! Time to stretch it out and get some rest....