During Tuesday’s 2022 NHL Awards show, the league presented their All-Rookie Team for the 2021-2022 season. LA Kings rookie defenseman Sean Durzi finished fourth among defensemen in the voting:
His fourth-place finish put him behind Anaheim Ducks’ defenseman Jamie Drysdale and the two winners on the blueline, Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings and Alexandre Carrier of the Nashville Predators.
For Durzi, it caps off an impressive 2021-22 campaign.
After beginning the season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, Durzi was called up to LA after several injuries to their blueline, particularly right-shot defensemen Drew Doughty and Sean Walker.
Durzi was tasked with playing 19:36 minutes per game, including taking over for Doughty on the top power play unit.
While with the Kings, the Mississauga, ON, native collected 24 assists and 27 points in 64 games. Of those 27 points, 15 came on the power play.
His offensive play with the Reign was a big reason for his call-up. In 13 games in the AHL, Durzi scored five goals and added 11 assists for 16 points. Six of those also came with the man advantage.
During the LA Kings’ rookie camp before the season, Durzi was looked upon to be a leader amongst a fresh crop of talented young LA Kings prospects. His work on and off the ice has made him a favorite with the fan base as the season wore on.
He was instrumental in one of the top moments of the season for the Kings:
With a crowded defense corps in LA, it remains to be seen what Durzi’s role will be next season, but that will be a conversation for a later date. Receiving as many votes as he did in the All-Rookie voting confirms it wasn’t just Kings fans who took notice of Durzi. The rest of the NHL is well aware of the exciting young defenseman.
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