Freeway Series Game 1 preview: San Diego Gulls at Ontario Reign

Southern California News Group colleague Jim Alexander is covering the series between the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate and the Ducks’ minor-league team. Read his preview of the second-round series here: http://www.pe.com/articles/reign-801979-save-socal.html

LA Kings assign goalie Peter Budaj to the Ontario Reign of the AHL

The Kings on Wednesday assigned goaltender Peter Budaj to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. They recalled him on an emergency basis last Thursday in order to replace an injured Jonathan Quick. Quick is sound again after suffering an lower-body injury and missing three games. Budaj appeared in one game, a 5-4 overtime victory Friday over the New York Rangers. It was his first victory in the NHL since April 4, 2014 while with the Montreal Canadiens.

It’s official: Kings assign Christian Ehrhoff to Ontario of the AHL and recall Kevin Gravel and Peter Budaj

The Kings assigned defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League on Thursday, after he cleared waivers earlier in the day. They also recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from Ontario to take Ehrhoff’s spot on the roster and summoned Reign goalie Peter Budaj on an emergency recall.

Budaj was recalled to serve as a backup to Jhonas Enroth after Jonathan Quick suffered an injury during the Kings’ 9-2 victory Tuesday over the Boston Bruins. Quick was said to be day-to-day, but Thursday was not his day. The 33-year-old Budaj led the AHL with 26 victories, a 1.58 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and eight shutouts.

Gravel, 23, was called up to the NHL for the first time. The former St. Cloud State standout had 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 42 games for the Reign.

Kings sign goaltender Peter Budaj to a 1-year contract

The Kings signed goaltender Peter Budaj to a one-season contract Friday, but don’t expect him to play in the NHL unless there’s an injury to Jonathan Quick and/or backup Jhonas Enroth later this season. Budaj, 30, will begin the season with the Kings’ new AHL team, the Reign. Ontario opens play in the new Pacific Division of the AHL on Saturday in Bakersfield.