Bernier to Manchester
It's now official...
----------
KINGS ASSIGN JONATHAN BERNIER
TO MANCHESTER (AHL)
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have assigned goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Manchester Monarchs (American Hockey League), Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.
Bernier, 19, most recently played for the Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL), where in 48 regular season games he posted a 18-12-3 record, a 2.73 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. His 2.73 goals-against average ranked second in the QMJHL and his .908 save percentage was fifth (among goaltenders with more than 1,000 minutes played). He also appeared in six playoff games, as Lewiston was eliminated in the first round by Cape Breton in six games.
Bernier started the season with the Kings, where in four games he went 1-3-0 (his first NHL win came on September 29) with a 4.03 goals-against-average and .864 save percentage. He earned the victory in his NHL debut on September 29 against Anaheim in London, England.
The 5-11, 177-pound native of Laval, Quebec, was also a member of Team Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championship held in the Czech Republic in January. He went 1-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average, one shutout and a .947 save percentage in two appearances, helping Team Canada win the gold medal.
Bernier was originally selected by the Kings in the first-round (11th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
It's time for Bernier to make the jump to the pros. It's going to be very interesting when Ersberg goes back down. Do they roll with three goaltenders or send someone down?
Might be time for another conference call, Rich. I'd be interesting to hear DL talk more about this seemingly positive log-jam of goaltenders that we suddenly have.
You might also consider re-running that poll for who would pay for content. The converage here has been superb (the Fulton interviews - fantastic). Thanks again!
Ersberg can't be sent down to the ECHL. Quick can.