News Clips

4-20-17

FROM LA KINGS INSIDER: things to point the iPhone at. Takeoffs and landings were vogue, as were hotel views from Vancouver and the occasional Dwight King smile. But some of April 19, 2017 the most interesting shots were of the focus and By: Jon Rosen preparedness at ice level before a game, or the Quick Coaching Search Update subtle images of teaching and communicating between a player and a coach during practice. Some Hi! Many, many thanks for clicking on this article of these photos were shared on the site or social even though the gist of it was shared in the media; several of them are Instagram screenshots headline. There’s nothing major to report on the and have been filtered. All were taken by me, other Kings’ search for their next head coach, and brief than the odd photo I appear in. My apologies that correspondence with hockey operations indicates many of these photos are blurry and terrible, but that at this time it hasn’t widened beyond John hopefully there’s an interesting view of the 2016-17 Stevens, who is still at “the center of discussions,” season as chronologically viewed from ice level, the according to a team source. press box, and from 33,000 feet. PREVIOUSLY: 2014-15 photo This represents no public change from six days ago, archive | 2015-16 photo archive when Vice President / General Manager prioritized a thorough evaluation of Stevens and his styles and philosophies before deciding whether the April 18, 2017 search would expand to other candidates. It appears By: Jon Rosen that thorough process of vetting and interviews is Scouting Reports On Iafallo, Reddekopp, Who still taking place. Signed ELCS

John Hoven also noted that management is taking a While the main focus of the Kings look at Jim Montgomery, who interviewed in remains its attempt to find a head coach, the club last season, according to Elliotte Friedman, did sign a pair of players during the Easter LAKI and just won a national title with Hiatus, including one who the club had recruited University. I checked in briefly on that this and become closely acquainted with during his morning, and while his name was also mentioned 2016-17 senior NCAA season. off-hand, it appears any link between him and Los Angeles still appears to be more gossamer than Those two players are defenseman Chaz concrete at this time. I would imagine the Kings Reddekopp, a 2015 seventh rounder whose 19-year- may have kicked tires in that direction – is that even old season with the Victoria Royals ended two a saying? Can you kick tires in a direction? I weeks ago, and Alex Iafallo, a University of suppose you can – but at this point nothing appears Minnesota-Duluth senior free agent who led all to be be settled or imminent. Friedman previously NCHC skaters with 51 points. The former received reported that the Kings’ next coach would have a three-year ELC, the latter a two-year ELC (and NHL head coaching experience. the valuable encouragement from fellow Bulldog and Amateur Scout – United States Tony Gasparini More to come later in the week… for matriculating at what he described as our nation’s top public university).

April 19, 2017 RELATED: How Do ELCs Work? By: Jon Rosen Updating The Archives: 2016-17 In LAKI The team’s efforts to sign Iaffalo took shape over Photos the second half of the 2016-17 season and was described by Gasparini as a group effort consisting In a hockey season nearly free of snow and Munters of a consortium of himself, Director of Amateur units, there were still some vaguely worthwhile Scouting Mark Yannetti and Amateur Scout-United

States Ted Belisle. They watched Iafallo so to development camp with Tampa Bay in 2015 and consistently that there was always one Kings 2016 and with Boston in 2015. representative present from his NCHC playoffs through the NCAA title game. The efforts to The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Reddekopp has always educate him on the Los Angeles organization began been known as a player capable of providing snarl earlier in the year, and the team remained close with and hard minutes in less glamorous areas of his his family, his family advisor and the UMD defensive zone, but beyond the rough veneer there coaching staff, who were all said to be receptive. appears to be a player with some additional skill Gasparini made the trip to Duluth to meet him and being peeled away. The 19-year-old recently returned with a good sense of Iafallo’s focus and completed a 10-, 43-point, 51-game season with character. the WHL’s Victoria Royals, where his heavier attributes meshed well with an ability to move the “He fits the mold of the type of young man that the puck crisply and confidently. Kings have had success developing into NHL players,” he said. “He’s a very driven young man, It’s too early to say whether Reddekopp, who got and he’s very passionate about his game and very into two games with AHL- last week, will detail-oriented. I thought his attention to detail was be able to transfer the attributes he showed at the outstanding this year and during his maturation junior level to the professional game, but according process throughout college.” to Brent McEwen, Los Angeles’ Amateur Scout – Western Canada, the team liked the way the In terms of his actual skill package, it begins with defenseman moved the puck and displayed strong his legs. Described as a “speed-based left wing with vision. very good touch around the net,” Iafallo’s game began to mature with added responsibilities and a “When he got it, he knew what he wanted to do widened workload over his final two years at with it,” McEwen said, noting the defender’s ability Duluth, where he appeared in all situations. This to make reads quickly and be aware of plays that season, he potted 21 goals as part of a 51-point, 42- had to be made. As his junior career began to game senior campaign. unfold, so did his ability to read the ice well and make that transition pass. “They don’t advance to the Final game and win the NCHC championship without his efforts,” said Of course, Reddekopp was a seventh round draft Gasparini, who noted Iafallo’s effectiveness on both pick, so there are caveats. His skating, though it has the forecheck and in back-pressuring situations. His improved during his time in Victoria and with the biggest asset is clearly his speed, which allows him Kings’ development team, is what separates him to attack open ice quickly and take away ice while from someone who could theoretically make a checking and was one of the main reasons Los quick impact at the professional level. As someone Angeles was attracted to his game. who turns 20 in one month, he will be eligible to be returned to the Royals for his overage season or Iafallo, voted to the NCAA Frozen Four All- play professionally for the Kings, and that decision Tournament Team, was also named to NCAA West won’t be made until training camp. Regional and North Star Cup All-Tournament Teams and was chosen the MVP at the NCHC But Reddekopp has always had a good base of Frozen Faceoff as part of a senior season that ended being hard to play against deep in his own zone – with a 15-game point streak. His collegiate career “he makes players uncomfortable playing against comes to a close with 48 goals and 121 points in him,” McEwen said – that has combined well with 152 career games over four seasons with UMD. some interesting ability when the puck is on his stick. The six-foot, 190-pound forward does not turn 24 until December 21 and was a teammate with Jonny “Not just outlet plays, but he passes the puck hard Brodzinski with the 2011-12 . He went up into the neutral zone and makes long, penetrative

passes,” McEwen said, noting the advantages of being multi-faceted and not just a “hammer-down- April 18, 2017 low guy.” By: Jon Rosen A Few Quick Prospect Notes The team liked the way he moved the puck and the vision he displayed while scouting him in his draft A fine Tuesday morning to you, Insiders, and thank year, and since then, his feet had become quicker you for your patience as we resume regular blog and his confidence grew as he progressed year over duties following an extended holiday weekend. year. This is also a player credited with 11 WHL Some of the news from this post has already been fights, according to HockeyFights.com. shared in commenting or elsewhere over the World Wide Web, but as we transition back to the work Named Victoria’s best defenseman in season-end week, it’s time to recap what has recently taken awards, Reddekopp played through injury late in the place. Several stories here will be expanded on later year, as the Victoria Times-Colonist noted. today.

Reddekopp broke his foot blocking a shot KINGS SIGN IAFALLO: I’ll have a more Feb. 15 in Medicine Hat and missed the rest informative post coming up later, but the Kings, as of the Western Hockey League regular first noted by the Buffalo News, added to their season before almost willing himself back for prospect pool over the weekend in signing Buffalo- the playoffs. He clearly only was operating area prospect and NCAA free agent Alex Iafallo, at about 50 per cent but won rave reviews who recently finished his senior season at for his dedication and resolve in even being Minnesota-Duluth with 21 goals and 51 points in 41 on the ice in the Royals’ first-round playoff games played. His 20th of the season came with 26 exit against Everett. Many drafted players seconds remaining in the national semifinal game at might not have risked it. the NCAA’s Frozen Four:

“You want them in their last year to have their best Here’s a stick tap to Buffalo native and year, and I thought by far, this was his best year,” former Raider Ken Baker, who shot LAKI a heads McEwen said of the West Kelowna native who has up on Iafallo, another product from Greater Buffalo. 20 goals and 103 points through 234 WHL games. The 6-foot, 185-pound Iafallo strung together seasons of 22, 25 and 23 points before breaking out Given the lack of first round draft picks and a as a senior this season. Again, more a informative prospect pool that became more diluted as the look at Iafallo’s game will come. championship window tightened, this is a good time to be a seventh round draft pick under Los Angeles’ WAGNER, PATS ADVANCE: The Regina Pats control. Six of the last nine seventh round picks did it the hard way but ultimately advanced to the selected by the Kings have signed entry-level WHL’s Eastern Conference Final after erasing a contracts with the club, including defenseman Matt three games to one series deficit and defeating the Roy, a fellow 2015 draft pick who made his AHL Swift Current Broncos 5-1 in Game 7 Monday debut with Ontario earlier this month. Of those also night. had two more goals – selected by Los Angeles in 2015 other than including a shorthanded empty-netter to seal the Reddekopp and Roy, second rounder Erik Cernak series – to give him 10 in the postseason, which was traded to Tampa Bay, third rounder Alexander ranks second across the league. Wagner, who is Dergachyov is currently under contract to SKA-St. known for his blazing speed but will look to Petersburg, fourth rounder Austin Wagner has been develop and use all of his abilities in concert with signed and is about to begin a third round playoff each other at a high pace, had three separate two- series with WHL-Regina, and fifth rounder Matt goal games in the second round series. Regina will Schmalz is unsigned and about to begin a playoff face the winner of tonight’s Lethbridge-Medicine series with Owen Sound to determine the OHL’s Hat Game 7 with the opportunity to advance to the Western Conference Champions.

Western Hockey League championship series on the FROM REIGN INSIDER: line. WATS-ON A ROLL: The Mississauga Steelheads, April 17, 2017 coached by James Richmond, who has worked in By: Lindsay Czarnecki LA Kings development, made quick work of the April 18 (Brief!) Practice Notes: MacDermid, Oshawa Generals in the second round of the OHL Trotman Getting Closer Playoffs and have advanced to face Peterborough, who finished 10 points clear of Mississauga in the A few tidbits from today’s very limited practice. race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Most of the Reign’s regulars were not skating and With 16 points (10-6=16) over an eight-game point head coach gave the ice to the Kings streak, 20-year-old Kings prospect Spencer Watson development staff, including Nelson Emerson, Glen has caught fire, while 18-year-old defenseman Murray and Sean O’Donnell. has three assists and a plus-nine rating over his first 11 playoff games. –Of note, defensemen Kurtis MacDermid and are now skating in the customary black THE OTHER ONTARIO: Meanwhile, some practice jerseys that Reign defensemen wear at 2,200 miles west, the concluded their practice. That’s good news as both are looking to 2016-17 season with a record of 36-21-10-1, and return from upper-body injuries in time for Friday with 83 points have drawn a first round match-up night’s series opener in San Diego. Trotman has not with the rival , who finished with a played since Nov. 12 while MacDermid missed the 43-20-3-2 record and 91 points. Final team statistics last nine games of the regular season. are here; your scoring leader is T.J. Hensick, who totaled 16 goals and 52 points in 67 games, while –Center continues to wear red defenseman (amongst the newcomers) no-contact apparel as he works to come back from recorded one assist and a plus-one rating in eight an undisclosed injury. He stayed out for extra games, forward earned one assist and a skating work on his own once most of the group had plus-one rating in two games, and defenseman Chaz gone back to the locker room. Reddekopp did not record a point and drew a minus-two rating in three games. The series takes a –Goalie Jack Campbell received his plaque from 1-1-1-1-1 best-of-five format, with games in winning the AHL Player of the Week award two Ontario on Saturday, April 22 and Monday, May 1 weeks ago. He was one of the lone regulars spotted (if necessary), and in San Diego on Friday, April in the rink today. 21, Friday, April 28 and Tuesday, May 2 (if necessary). With the Ducks holding one of those –Forward Keegan Iverson was added on an ATO on “commanding” three games-to-none series leads, Monday and took the ice with his new teammates the Reign could benefit from not facing a squad that today. The 21-year-old appeared in 55 games with would receive reinforcements such as Shea WHL-Portland Winterhawks, scoring 70 points (26 Theodore and Brandon Montour, both of whom are goals, 44 assists). Iverson, a native of St. Louis up with the parent club. Ondrej Kase went down Park, Minn., was selected by the and up this past week, so he’s worth keeping an eye in third round (85 overall) of the 2014 draft. With on. Via Gulls PR, Nick Ritchie and Chris Wagner Ontario he’ll wear jersey No. 13. are also eligible to play in the series; they’re unlikely to do so, barring a major Ducks-Flames –The Reign announced shortly before 2 p.m. PT turnaround. Ontario Reign Insider Lindsay that goalie Jonah Imoo has been released from his Czarnecki will be on the scene with reports PTO. The Reign are now carrying three goalies in throughout the entire series. , Jack Flinn and Campbell for the postseason. More to come on Reddekopp and Iafallo, Insiders. Let’s talk soon.

–A complete preview for the Reign-Gulls first Game-winning goals: , Brett round matchup and the keys to the series will be Sutter (5) posted in the coming days. Had chats today with Shots: Jonny Brodzinski (184) Stothers, Campbell and Joel Lowry so more to come. SAN DIEGO 2016-17 REGULAR SEASON LEADERS Points: Corey Tropp (21G-33A=54) April 17, 2017 Goals: Corey Tropp, Antoine Laganiere (21) By: Lindsay Czarnecki Assists: Kalle Kossila (34) First Round Playoff Preview: Reign Vs. Gulls By Plus/minus: Jaycob Megna (+33) The Numbers Penalties in minutes: Stu Bickel (148) Power play goals: Kalle Kossila (18) FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF Shorthanded goals: Jordan Samuels-Thomas, SCHEDULE Chris Wagner (3) (3) Ontario Reign vs. (2) San Diego Gulls Game-winning goals: Corey Tropp, Kevin Roy, Game 1: Friday, April 21 – at San Diego, 7 p.m. Antoine Laganiere (4) Game 2: Saturday, April 22 – at Ontario, 7 p.m. Shots: Sam Carrick (180, combined with Rockford) Game 3: Friday, April 28 – at San Diego, 7 p.m. *Game 4: Monday, May 1 – at Ontario, 7 p.m. PROJECTED GOALTENDING MATCHUP *Game 5 – Tuesday, May 2 – at San Diego, 7 p.m. (2016-17 REGULAR SEASON STATS) *if necessary ONT: Jack Campbell – Record: 31-15-6 / GAA: 2.52 / Sv%: .914 / SO: 5 AHL 2016-17 REGULAR SEASON TEAM SD: Jhonas Enroth – Record: 16-5-0 / GAA: 1.91 / RECORDS/STATS Sv%: .931 / SO: 2 Overall record: ONT – 36-21-10-1 (.610 winning percentage) / SD – 43-20-3-2 (.669) 12-GAME REGULAR SEASON SERIES Home record: ONT – 22-9-2-1 / SD – 23-9-1-1 Ontario record: 6-4-1-1 Road record: ONT – 14-12-8-0 / SD – 20-11-2-1 San Diego record: 6-4-1-1 Overtime record: ONT – 7-10; 2-1 (SO) / SD – 6- 3; 4-2 (SO) Game 1 – Oct. 15, 2016: Reign 2, San Diego 0 Record when scoring first: ONT – 26-5-5-0 / SD – Game 2 – Nov. 27, 2016: San Diego 4, Reign 3 28-2-2-1 Game 3 – Dec. 13, 2016: Reign 3, San Diego 2 Power play percentage: ONT – 3rd (22.9 percent) Game 4 – Dec. 27, 2016: Reign 2, San Diego 1 / SD – 9th (20.1) (OT) kill percentage: ONT – 18th (81.2 Game 5 – Jan. 22, 2017: Reign 3, San Diego 2 (SO) percent) / SD – 23rd (80.5) Game 6 – Feb. 3, 2017: San Diego 4, Reign 3 (OT) Goals against per game: ONT – 16th (2.79) / SD – Game 7 – Feb. 4, 2017: San Diego 2, Reign 0 7th (2.62) Game 8 – Feb. 10, 2017: San Diego 4, Reign 1 Goals for per game: ONT – 15th (2.93) / SD – 6th Game 9 – April 7, 2017: Reign 4, San Diego 0 (3.25) Game 10 – April 8, 2017: Reign 3, San Diego 1 Game 11 – April 14, 2017: San Diego 4, Reign 3 REIGN 2016-17 REGULAR SEASON (SO) LEADERS Game 12 – April 15, 2017: San Diego 5, Reign 3 Points: T.J. Hensick (16G-36A=52) Goals: Jonny Brodzinski (27) Assists: T.J. Hensick (36) Plus/minus: Kurtis MacDermid (+11) Penalties in minutes: Kurtis MacDermid (135) Power play goals: Jonny Brodzinski (11) Shorthanded goals: (2) .

FROM LATIMES.COM

April 18, 2017 7:10 PM By: Bill Shaikin Survey: Dodgers pass Lakers as L.A.'s favorite team Magic Johnson arrived in Los Angeles as a wide-eyed teenager in 1979, when Dusty Baker, Ron Cey and Steve Garvey starred for the team that had captured the affection of the city.

“I've seen how the Dodgers can be as big as the Lakers,” Johnson said when he announced his pursuit of an ownership stake in the Dodgers in 2011, “and I want that to happen again.”

His vision has come to pass, at least by one measure. The Dodgers are more popular than the Lakers, for the first time in the four years a Loyola Marymount survey has asked Los Angeles County residents to identify their favorite pro sports team.

The Dodgers got 36% of the vote and the Lakers 35%, making each team more than four times as popular in Los Angeles as any other local team.

The Clippers got 7%, the Angels and Kings 6% each, the Galaxy and Rams 5% each and the Sparks 0.2%.

The survey, conducted in January by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles, asked 2,400 adult residents this question: “What is your favorite professional sports team with L.A. in its name?”

So, even though the and play in Anaheim, the Ducks were not included in the survey. The poll did not extend to Orange County residents.

Although the Rams had just completed a dreadful first season back in Los Angeles at the time of the survey, the results are particularly ominous for the Chargers, a team loved in San Diego but with virtually no history or following in Los Angeles.

Their “Fight for L.A.” slogan might be all too uncomfortable. They might have been kings in San Diego, but they figure to rank below the Kings and seven other teams in local fervor during their debut season in Los Angeles next fall.

“But 3% of a population of 10 million, that’s still a lot of people,” said Fernando Guerra, the center’s director, citing the population of L. A. County.

In 2014, the first year of the survey, the Lakers got 42% of the vote and the Dodgers 35%. Although the survey did not ask respondents to explain why they favored a team, Guerra said there is no mystery to how the Dodgers leaped past the Lakers.

“L.A. loves a winner,” Guerra said. “You’ve seen the decline of the Lakers.”

In 2012, Johnson and his Guggenheim partners inherited a Dodgers team that had fallen into bankruptcy and out of the top 10 in the major leagues in attendance and payroll. In each of the first four full years under Guggenheim ownership, the Dodgers have led the majors in both categories and advanced to the playoffs.

“The first thing we said we wanted to do was to bring the fans back,” Johnson said last Saturday, after the Dodgers unveiled a statue of Jackie Robinson.

“The second thing we wanted to do was to put money into the stadium. We put over $250 million into the stadium, to upgrade it for our great fan base. We wanted to make the team better, so we invested in the players. The next thing we wanted to do was to honor Jackie Robinson, and we’ve done that.

“Check. Check. Check. Check. We’ve got one more box to check, and that is winning the World Series.”

The Lakers bid farewell to Kobe Bryant last year and fired their general manager this year, at the same time the owner fired her brother as executive vice president of operations. Their last four seasons are the worst four seasons in franchise history, as measured by losses.

None of their succession of lottery draft picks — Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram — has delivered anywhere near the impact that reigning National League rookie of the year Corey Seager has had on the Dodgers.

“The Lakers have had three top draft picks that have made no impact, really,” Guerra said. “You’ve got the retirement of Kobe, so the Lakers are starless, and the Dodgers have [Clayton] Kershaw, Seager, [Kenley] Jansen, etc.

“The one thing that mitigates this is that the Lakers are actually on TV a lot more, but that hasn’t held the Dodgers back. It’s about winning.”

Guerra said the Lakers could leapfrog the Dodgers, particularly since the Lakers remain more popular among millennials — the youngest adults — in the survey. But they’ll have to get back to winning, and to securing the better players who make for a better team.

The person accountable for acquiring those players — and thus for making the Lakers more popular than the Dodgers once again — is their new president of basketball operations.

His name is Magic Johnson.

FROM LAKINGS.COM

April 19, 2017 Ontario Reign Calder Cup Playoffs LaDue, Kempe, and Brodzinski will help the Ontario Reign during their 2017 Calder Cup Playoff run

Adrian Kempe, Jonny Brodzinski, Paul LaDue and the Ontario Reign are heading to the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs! In the first round, they are playing their Southern rival, the San Diego Gulls. The game on Friday, April 21st, will the fifth time the Reign have played the Gulls in the past six games. Last year, the Reign and Gulls played each other in the best-of-seven Pacific Division Finals with the Reign winning the series, 4-1.

Black out the Bank and hop on the #ReignTrain to support the LA Kings AHL affiliate team during their playoff run!

Get your tickets now for the Reign home games at Citizens Business Bank Arena!

April 18, 2017 LA Kings Sign Forward Alex Iafallo Kings sign forward Alex Iafallo to a two-year entry-level contract

The LA Kings have signed forward Alex Iafallo to a two-year entry-level contract, Kings Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake announced today. The 23-year-old Iafallo (born Dec. 21, 1993) is a 6-0, 190-pound native of Eden, New York who appeared in 42 games this past season with the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (NCHC), posting 51 points (21- 30=51), a plus-22 rating and 22 penalty minutes. His 51 points tied for 12th nationally. Iafallo, a senior, recently completed his Bulldogs career by leading UMD to the NCAA Men's Frozen Four Championship game on April 8, where his team lost to Denver University 3-2 in the Final. Iafallo scored a goal in the championship game and he also scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal versus Harvard as the Bulldogs slipped past Harvard 2-1 in a Frozen Four Semifinal game on April 6. For his efforts, Iafallo was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament team. Iafallo led the Bulldogs in goals (21), assists (30) and points (51) during his senior campaign, and his plus-22 rating ranked third on the team. He finished with 48 goals, 73 assists and 121 points in 152 career games over four seasons with UMD.

FROM YAHOOSPORTS.COM

April 19, 2017 By: Josh Cooper (Puck Daddy) Ralph Strangis on life in limbo, LA Kings TV play-by-play job

Ralph Strangis recently received a text message from former Stars forward Jere Lehtinen and was overjoyed with what the note said.

“I just watched your games. It sounds like you’re having fun,” Lehtinen said to Strangis.

For the last two months of the 2016-17 regular season, Strangis called almost all of the games in place of legendary broadcaster Bob Miller, who suffered a mild stroke during NHL All-Star Weekend.

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Strangis, who was the voice of the for 25 years before leaving after the 2014-15 season to pursue other endeavors, was originally supposed to call four road games for LA this year. This had to do with Miller’s

reduced schedule based on 2016 heart bypass surgery and a transient ischemic attack he suffered last season. Instead, he got a whole lot more than he bargained for, which he was totally OK with.

“It was really fun, like it was really fun but it was bizarre-o world. But then it became ‘that’s where I went to work’ and it was great,” Strangis said. “It was more fun than a guy should be allowed to have. We just had a blast.”

In fact the 56-year-old Strangis had such a good time he said he’d like to be considered for the Los Angeles television broadcast job, vacated by Miller who retired at the end of the this season after a 44 year run. After Miller announced his retirement, Strangis joined a list of people who jumped into the booth during Kings broadcasts. These were LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen, Edmonton Oilers radio voice Jack Michaels and Kings radio analyst Daryl Evans who all called one game each.

“I’m interested the Kings job, but if that doesn’t happen I’m open to whatever is next. They have a lot of qualified candidates and I respect their process.” Strangis said. “That’s sort of my mantra. I’ve really been philosophical about this stuff. I have a lot of different things that interest me.”

Before Strangis came back he had a lot going on that took up his time. He enrolled at the University of North Texas to finish 33 credits so he could graduate college. He produced a play called “Hospitality Suite” in downtown Dallas where he was cast as one of the main roles. He wrote op-ed pieces for the Dallas Morning News and he also went to Europe five times within the span of 18 months.

Initially when the Kings called him, Strangis’ schedule had become less cluttered and he figured a return to the NHL for four games would be good for him in the short-term.

“I said “OK, this will be perfect. I’ll have just graduated college. The play will be done and I’ll have all the business done after that. I’m writing op-ed pieces for the Dallas Morning News’ and I said, ‘OK this will be good. I’ll have four games and then I’ll be fun,’” Strangis said.

On Jan. 26, Strangis finished his last scheduled game with the Kings at the Carolina Hurricanes and then went home to Dallas to prepare for a three-week long pre-planned stay Los Angeles.

He had rented a place in Venice Beach and was going to pack his car and drive out there with a stop in Palm Springs. Then he got a call during the NHL’s All-Star Weekend from the Kings telling him that Miller had suffered a health issue and the team needed him on standby for Jan. 31 game at the .

When it was determined that Miller suffered a stroke and couldn’t call the game, Strangis then flew to Glendale to meet the team. After the game he took a plane to Palm Springs and then rented a car and drove to LA.

“Then I basically sat around and then I got a call a week later that said ‘Hey, we want you to do the game on (February) 16th.’ They called me a couple of days after that and said ‘We want you to do all the games in February.’ I said ‘OK,’” he said. “At that point I had my Jeep shipped to LA and I had my daughter put some clothes in my Jeep. So now I’m sitting in Venice Beach, I’m like ‘all right, now what? The place is going to get rented in a week because now I’m chewing up my three weeks I hadn’t spent there.’ So I got a place at the JW Marriott (at LA Live) to finish out the month of February.”

When the Kings and Strangis left for a road trip to Minnesota and Calgary at the end of the month, the broadcaster loaded his car with his clothes, thinking he was probably done when he got home. Then he got a call while he was in Minnesota asking him to stay on for the rest of the regular season, with the exception of the last two games, which Miller wanted to call along with the games other broadcasters would call.

“I said ‘yeah, OK.’ So then we worked a deal out with the Kings where I moved into the Residence Inn El Segundo and that’s where I stayed the last six or seven weeks,” Strangis said. “But checking in (when I got back) – so we go on the road, I have my stuff in my Jeep, I grab a cart across the parking lot at 2 a.m. … but it was nothing but fun.”

For a lot of people, living in limbo, like Strangis did, is a hard task. But Strangis believed that working in the sports industry helped him deal with some of the difficulties that came with the uncertainty.

“You know what, this is kind of how my life is, right? Anybody who does this for a living or for a long time knows you’re in a hotel, back-and-forth. The stuff that would be shocking to most peoples’ systems aren’t for guys like us, guys likes me. I’ve done this a lot,” Strangis said. “I live very small. I’m a minimalist and that helps me a lot. I have less than 1,000 square feet in a two-bedroom place in Dallas. I don’t own a lot of stuff. I have my Jeep and my bicycle so I’m always ready to go at the drop of a hat.”

After Strangis got settled in, he said he went to a lot of practices – since his hotel was practically next door to the Kings’ facility. He also met a bunch of people in the Manhattan Beach area and tried to to throw himself into life in Los Angeles as much as he could.

“I was enjoying every game for what it was. And every day I got to go to the rink, and every day I was walking around Manhattan Beach, and every day I met somebody new,” Strangis said. “I enjoyed all of that.”

There were a few strange moments for the broadcaster during his journey. His return to Dallas stood out to him just because of his past there.

“It was weird. There I am in a building where I worked the first game in, in a city where I was the first guy in town basically with the team and so … from Minnesota. So it was very strange,” Strangis said. “And then to go back in there and do that game. That was sort of a bizarre-o world because I’m in the booth next to the one where I had called all those years.”

Strangis also pointed out how working home games in Los Angeles in Miller’s seat was difficult at first.

“I sat down in that chair and put on his headset in his chair in the booth next to the one I used to look over the wall and smile and laugh and share funny jokes with Bob and now instead of looking right I’m looking left at the visitors – that was really emotional really to tell you the truth,” Strangis said. “That was more emotional than Dallas for me because Bob is sort of this icon for all of us and this guy who – you always wanted to see Bob Miller. You always wanted to find out what joke he had or what story he was going to tell you. And I looked over to my right for so many years and there was Bob at Staples (Center) and now I was in his chair and I was going to be in his chair for a while. It was emotional.”

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Even if that seat doesn’t become Strangis’ there’s a sense of calm with him. He had a great experience in Los Angeles with the Kings and while he would like to be considered for their full-time gig for Strangis there’s no shortage of ideas and opportunities.

“I got to do hockey again and I got to make some money and I got to hang around in LA again. It was great. I had nothing but … it was great. It was an adventure,” Strangis said. “I’m going to write a piece about it for the Morning News about life in limbo, but it was great. There’s no bad to this. I like to do things differently than most people do them. My life isn’t ordinary and normal and that’s how I want it. This is just another one of those things. I had a great time.”

FROM DULUTHNEWSTRIBUNE.COM

April 18, 2017 By: Matt Wellens College men's hockey: Bulldogs senior Iafallo signs with LA Kings

One of college hockey’s more sought after undrafted free agents has found a home.

Minnesota Duluth senior wing Alex Iafallo signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, capping a two-week vetting process that included meetings with at least eight NHL franchises. Iafallo, 23, had the opportunity to leave the Bulldogs early each of the previous two seasons, but the native of Eden, N.Y., decided to stay in school and finish his degree in organizational management. In the process, he also elevated his stock in professional hockey.

“At the end of the day, I went with my gut feeling and went with the most opportunity for myself as a player,” Iafallo said. “As a left with a lot of speed, I feel like I can use that to my advantage in L.A.”

Iafallo was a key component to the Bulldogs’ run to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship at Target Center in Minneapolis and berth in the NCAA championship game, where UMD lost 3-2 to Denver at United Center in Chicago.

After scoring between 22-25 points his first three seasons in Duluth, Iafallo had a career year as a senior, posting 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 42 games in earning first-team All-America honors by the American Hockey Coaches Association. He finished the season on a 15-game point streak that included nine goals and 15 assists.

“Staying back really helped me become a more mature player, just finding out the right things to do during the offseason to get better,” Iafallo said. “It gave me a lot more opportunities to play in the NHL.”

Iafallo attended the Tampa Bay Lightning development camp the previous two summers, as well as the camp two summers ago.

FROM HOMETOWNLIFE.COM

April 20, 2017 By: Tim Smith Canton's Roy signs with Los Angeles Kings

When Matt Roy steps onto the ice, he brings a hard-nosed, gritty approach that he’s never wavered from since his years playing at local hockey programs such as Victory Honda in Canton.

That lunch-bucket mentality and his work ethic caught the attention of the Los Angeles Kings, who recently signed the Canton resident to a two-year entry-level contract.

“I talked to them about that (his determination) and they said they really liked it,” said Roy, so dedicated to his off-ice training that he’ll ride a bike to get there. “So they just wanted me to keep doing my thing.”

Roy, 22, a 2013 graduate of Canton High School, is foregoing his senior season at Michigan Tech University in order to turn pro — and he already has several games under his belt as a defenseman with the Ontario Reign of the .

As of Wednesday, the 6-foot, 200-pounder had one assist in eight regular season games with Ontario, located in California, and is beginning his first pro playoff stint.

Time to reset

“I signed it when I was up at school (Michigan Tech) with some of my roommates,” said Roy, during a telephone interview. “I kind of relaxed for a little bit and then I realized I had to refocus or else it won’t mean anything if I’m not playing well. So it was really cool to sign.”

He described his style of play as “a little bit of everything. I’m not a go-to fighter but I try to be physical. And I make sure I move the puck well and all that.”

The son of Rich and Julie Roy also is beginning to experience what he’s dreamed about since he first skated at age 5 with the Plymouth Sharks at Plymouth Cultural Center.

“Playing professional hockey has been a dream of Matt's since he could lace up the skates,” Rich Roy said. “He continues to put in the work required and we are very proud and excited for Matt as he takes his next step in realizing his dream.”

Matt Roy, who also played AAA hockey with Honeybaked and Belle Tire before moving over to Victory Honda during his high school years, knows he will need to work harder than ever as soon as this year’s stint with the Reign comes to an end.

Ready to work

On his to-do list is training in Livonia with former Kings (and Michigan State) player Mike Donnelly, who currently is on the Kings’ player development staff.

“He has a gym and shooting warehouse close by that I will be attending,” Roy said.

That summer regimen hopefully will enable Roy to be ready to go during the NHL training camp in September. “I heard it’s pretty difficult.”

And he doesn’t want to disappoint the organization that drafted him 194th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft after his freshman season with the Huskies.

That season, he tallied nine points in 36 games. His game has grown by leaps and bounds in the two subsequent seasons.

In 2015-16, Roy had seven goals and 13 assists in 37 contests and followed that up this season with a five goals and 21 assists in 44 games — helping the Huskies win the WCHA championship game in overtime and earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Proving them right

“I believe my sophomore year at Tech was my breakout year and my junior year backed it up,” Roy said. “I broke out offensively my sophomore year and continued with more points and more responsibility my junior year.

“Luckily I have been on some great teams to help me and I kept the same D partner all three years, Shane Hanna, so I think that helped me grow having him as my partner the whole time.”

According to Roy, one reason he wants to work harder than ever is to repay the confidence shown him by the Kings since drafting him two years ago.

“They have been great with reaching out to me and helping me during the past few seasons at Tech to help develop my game in areas they thought I could improve,” Roy said. “They stayed in contact with me a lot, which made me feel very comfortable with them.”

With his pro career already starting, Roy can’t completely forget his Michigan Tech career — including plenty of success as well as several games at Joe Louis Arena, the venerable home of the Detroit Red Wings that hosted its last NHL game on April 9.

In December of each of his three seasons with the Huskies, Roy and his teammates played in the Great Lakes Invitational.

“I always loved playing there,” Roy said. “Of course a bunch of guys on my team that didn’t grow up in Detroit, they hated Joe Louis because it was so old and all that.

“But I definitely think it’s time for Detroit to get a new arena. Little Caesars Arena is going to be very nice and fun.”

And the sooner he gets to play hockey at the next home of the Red Wings, the better.

That means Matt Roy indeed realized his dream to be a big leaguer.

FROM WRGZ.COM

April 18, 2017 By: Stu Boyar Iafallo Signs With LA Kings

Once Minnesota-Duluth senior forward Alex Iafallo finishes his exams and graduates, he should get a better idea where his career takes him.

Iafallo signed with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings Tuesday. He was one of college hockey's most sought after free agents. He signed a two year entry level contract with the Kings.

The 23 year old Eden, New York native could have left school early, but decided to get his degree before starting his professional hockey career. While getting his degree in organization management he boosted his stock in the hockey world. Iafallo scored the game winning goal in the semifinals of the Frozen and he also scored a goal in the championship game, which his Bulldogs lost to Denver.

Iafallo had a career year as a senior, posting 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 42 games in earning first- team All-America honors by the American Hockey Coaches Association. When the season ended he had a 15 game point streak with 9 goals and 15 assists.

Iafallo told Two on Your Side's Stu Boyar: "You work your whole life for this, I couldn't be happier." Iafallo also said the Kings "like my speed and puck control. I know I worked on that the last two years."

Iafallo grew up a Sabres fan and went to the Frozen Four with his dad in 2003.

"It's emotional to say no to the Sabres, but at the end of the day I just kind of looked at the right opportunity for me, obviously growing up in Buffalo I've always wanted to play for Buffalo, but just seeing where I was, on left wing, LA needed speed and I'm excited to be a part of the organization," Iafallo said.

FROM SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY

April 18, 2017