The final set of questions and answers with Jim Fox. Thanks very much to Jim for taking the time to answer an extraordinary number of questions. As always, his annual guest-blogging is a blog highlight.
Continue reading “Ask Jim Fox, part 5” »
More extensive and interesting answers from Jim Fox. One more set to go…
Continue reading “Ask Jim Fox, part 4” »
The third set of questions and answers from Jim Fox, who graciously agreed to do some guest-blogging this month…
Continue reading “Ask Jim Fox, part 3” »
The second set of questions and answers with Kings broadcaster Jim Fox…
Continue reading “Ask Jim Fox, part 2” »
As I start to get back into the flow of a normal existence, I’ll start posting the questions and answers that Jim Fox has graciously taken the time to answer. As always, Jim is candid and comprehensive in his answers, so I hope you enjoy the first set of answers…
Continue reading “Ask Jim Fox, part 1” »
Juraj Mikus’ two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings has been completed.
The press release from the Kings:
Mikus, 22, recently participated in the Kings annual Development Camp. The 6-1, 200-pound native of Skalica, Slovakia, recorded 90 points (31-59=90), 52 penalty minutes and a plus-58 rating while appearing in all 56 regular season games with Skalica HK 36 of the Slovak Extraliga this past season. Mikus led his team in assists and finished second to teammate and former King Ziggy Palffy in both goals and total points.
Originally selected by Montreal in the fourth-round (121st overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Mikus recorded 43 points (21-22=43) and 52 penalty minutes in 54 regular season games with HK 36 during the 2007-08 season. In 2006-07, he skated with Chicoutimi of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), totaling 71 points (29-42=71) and 36 penalty minutes in 60 regular season games.
Mikus has also skated for his native Slovakia on an International stage on several occasions during his career. He last skated for his country at the 2009 World Championships, registering one point (0-1=1) and two penalty minutes in six games. He’s also skated with Slovakia at the 2008 World Championships (2 GP, 0-0=0), the 2007 World Junior Championships (6 GP, 5-1=6; his five goals led the tournament), the 2006 World Junior Championships (6 GP, 0-0=0) and the 2005 U-18 World Junior Championships (6 GP, 0-7=7).
I was able to get some further information about the Juraj Mikus situation, particularly in terms of the “option” he would have to return to Europe. From what I’m told, that “option” is very common, and a standard part of a contract for a player with European experience. It’s a mutual thing, because the player and the team, in case both sides think it’s best for a player to be assigned overseas. It’s very similar to the situation with Brady Murray, in which the Kings retain his rights even though he is now playing in Switzerland. By all indications, Mikus is dedicated to staying here and further learning the North American game.
Mikus’ contract has not been finalized yet, but apparently it’s going through the typical NHL red tape when it comes to international players.
There’s a report out of Europe that, once translated, indicates that the Kings have signed forward Juraj Mikus to a contract, and that the agreement includes some type of clause for Mikus to return to Europe. You might remember that Mikus was the Slovakian forward invited to the developmental camp this month.
The Kings have not, at least officially, signed Mikus, although they appear to be heading down that road. There’s a lot of NHL red tape that has to be dealt with in issues such as this one. I’m not sure, just yet, what this agreement might be, in terms of Europe, but I’m attempting to find out.
For those unfamiliar with Mikus, click here.
Teddy Purcell signed a one-year, one-way, $600,000 contract today.
Restricted free agents Teddy Purcell and Drew Bagnall have signed one-year contracts, and forward prospect Justin Azevedo signed a standard entry-level contract. I will attempt to find out how much Purcell’s contract is for, since he is the most significant player involved.
From the Kings…
Purcell, 24, recorded 16 points (4-12=16) and four penalty minutes in 40 regular season games with the Kings and 38 points (16-22=38) and 12 penalty minutes in 38 regular season games with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, this past season. The 6-3, 202-pound native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, led the Monarchs in goals and ranked second on the Monarchs in points when he was recalled to the Kings on Feb. 23, 2009 (his second recall of the season). Purcell was named to the 2009 Canadian AHL All-Star Team on Jan. 6, 2009, and later that same month made his second consecutive appearance in the AHL’s annual All-Star Classic.
Azevedo, 21, recorded 36 points (12-24=36) and 31 penalty minutes in 49 regular season games with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, this past season. The 5-7, 180-pound native of West Lorne, Ont., finished seventh on the Monarchs in scoring even though he missed a significant part of his rookie season in the AHL because of two injuries.
Bagnall, 25, recorded six points (0-6=6) and 150 penalty minutes in 79 regular season games with the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, this past season. His penalty minute total ranked second on the Monarchs as did his total of 79 games played.