Catching up with Bud Holloway.

Bud Holloway played only 30 games as a member of the Ontario
Reign, but they were rather memorable.

He was nearly a point-per-game player (14 goals, eight
assists in 23 games) after being sent down by the Manchester Monarchs late in
the 2008-09 season; he added another five goals and 14 assists in seven games
against the Stockton Thunder in that year’s playoffs.

Along the way, in a February 2009 game against the Phoenix
Roadrunners, Holloway scored the prettiest goal in the history of Citizens
Business Bank Arena. That’s an unofficial honor, mind you, but if ESPN or
YouTube ever got hold of film footage of the zigzagging, one-on-one, backhand
breakaway, it would be accepted knowledge.

Holloway spent all of last season with the Monarchs and put
up good numbers — 19 goals and 47 points in 75 regular-season games – plus
another seven goals and seven assists in 16 postseason games. He helped
Manchester go on a deep run, scoring several game-winning goals, before eventually losing to the Hershey Bears in the Eastern Conference
Finals.

If there was one disappointment, it was that Holloway’s name was
passed over for an NHL promotion several times during the season when injuries
to various Kings forwards necessitated an AHL recall. Corey Elkins, Marc-Andre
Cliche, Rich Clune, Scott Parse, Oscar Moller and Brandon Segal all got the nod
at various points during the season; even spare defenseman Peter Harrold shifted in on the wing
before Holloway could get a shot at making his NHL debut.

The 22-year-old, in the final year of his
entry-level contract, is taking it in stride.

When did you arrive in Los Angeles?

I came down here a month early — August 16. I just figured,
it’s time to focus more on hockey, get down here and work out and skate a
little bit more. Work out with Tim (Adams, the Kings’ strength and conditioning
coach), because he’s obviously an excellent trainer and going to prepare me for
the season.

How has camp gone for you so far?

It’s a pretty standard training camp. A lot of systems,
learning stuff, getting a feel for things. Getting back to that game mentality.
Being in position. It’s a lot to process in a couple days, but the boys are
doing a great job at it and things look pretty well.

This is your fifth camp; how much do you really have to
process?

They change from year to year. A little bit you learn. The
stuff I know, I’m trying to be perfect at. The stuff I learn, I’m trying to get
down right away because that gives me the best shot.

How tough was it last season to see so many of your teammates get called
up to the NHL while you had to wait your turn?

It’s not my decision. I was happy with my year in Manch, and
the way I was playing. Not getting called up, it’s not the end of the world. I
played my best down there. We made a good run in the playoffs as a team down
there. It was a good year for me whether I got called up or not.

What areas of your game got better last season?

Offensively, I started to be more patient with the puck, and
learned to hold onto it a bit more, rather than throw it away, turnovers and
stuff. That’s a big part of it – making plays, it not only benefits myself
personally, my goals and stuff. It’s also keep the puck from going the other
way.

How did you spend your summer before flying in?

I was back up in Saskatchewan for most of it (the summer).
Spent some time with the family, working out – that’s about it. It’s pretty
relaxing. I got my work in when I needed to.

Where do you see yourself starting the season?

Hopefully I want to stick here for as long as I can. If I do
get sent to Manch, I want to leave them the impression that if someone goes
down during the year, I’m the guy to call up. I’m just going to throw it all
out here. worse comes to worse, I get sent to Manch, I’ll throw it all out
there and work my way up.

Where have they had you playing so far?

Right wing. That’s my main position. My line’s good with
Elkins and Cluner. We’re kind of figuring out each other right now. Hopefully
we get thrown into an exhibition game we’re going to do well.

This entry was posted in Ontario Reign/ECHL and tagged by J.P. Hoornstra. Bookmark the permalink.

About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.