I was able to get some comments from Ron Hextall, the Kings’ assistant general manager, about Dwight King and Michael Pelech after today’s notebook went to press.
So here they are:
Continue reading “Hextall on King, Pelech” »
Geoff Walker looks like he’s in better shape than when we last saw him — the kind of shape a hockey player gets into by participating in an NHL rookie camp, an NHL training camp, then an AHL camp — and can only hope he didn’t lose too much of it by sitting in the Manchester Monarchs’ press box.
After being sent down by the Kings’ AHL affiliate, where he played just two scoreless games this season, Walker was practicing in Ontario for the first time Tuesday.
“They wanted me to come here and play some games, get back into playing games every day and being a regular game player, instead of being in and out,” Walker said. “I would have to say I’d rather be here playing some games, getting myself back into game shape, instead of not playing up there. You can backskate all you want, but it’s not the same as a game.”
Continue reading “Geoff Walker, Karl Taylor on Walker’s return to Reign.” »
Just got done filing tomorrow’s notebook about Dwight King and Michael Pelech when an astute reader (thanks, Kevin) pointed out this, just posted on the Manchester Monarchs’ Web site:
Monarchs Assign Walker To Ontario
MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, have assigned forward Geoff Walker to the ECHL’s Ontario Reign, Monarchs Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced today.
Walker, 21, appeared in two games with the Monarchs and recorded zero points and two penalty minutes. He led the Reign with 48 points (21-27=48) during the 2008-09 season. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island spent three seasons (2005-08) with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Prince Edward Island Rocket. Walker registered 196 points (83-113=196) and 213 penalty minutes in 168 games with the Rocket.
Also, be sure to check out tomorrow’s editions for an in-depth look at King and Pelech, the two Kings prospects in town this year.
A back-and-forth third period decided an otherwise sluggish game, with Chris Neiszner deflecting a loose puck past Mike Zacharias with 9:21 remaining for the game-winner.
David Walker scored short-handed for the Reign’s only goal and Zacharias, making his second start in as many nights, stopped 24 of 26 shots.
Even though the Reign finished their home-opening weekend 1-2, the mood after the game was fairly upbeat. The Reign matched Las Vegas’ energy for 60 minutes despite playing three games in three nights.
More details in tomorrow’s editions.