DRAFT RECAP: LA Kings Select Nine Players

The Kings started the weekend with the 24th pick on Friday, but traded back and received the 31st and 59th picks. A key component of that trade was acquiring a second-round pick because it was used in the Tanner Jeannot trade last year. General Manager Ken Holland added a third-round pick (67th overall) and a sixth-round pick (2026) in the Jordan Spence trade; the third-round pick would eventually be traded for the 125th overall pick and a third-round pick in next year’s draft.

After doing all that math, we’ll turn our focus to the players the Kings selected with those nine picks.

Henry Brzustewicz (1st round, 31st overall)

Age: 18

Position: Defenseman

The hosts of the draft used their first-round pick on London Knights (OHL) right-handed defenseman Henry Brzustewicz. Although Cullen Potter was available when the Kings were on the clock, I like the selection of Brzustewicz. He is physical, mobile (with some calling him a ‘powerful skater’), and can move the puck. If he develops well, he could turn into a reliable two-way defenseman for the LA. The 18-year-old finished the 2024-25 season with 42 pts (10 G, 32 A) in 67 games for London on the blueline and could have a bigger role with fellow King prospect Jared Woolley.

Vojtěch Čihař (2nd round, 59th overall)

Age: 18

Position: Left Wing

Who? That was my first reaction when I saw the selection. Vojtěch Čihař is a speedy winger who is tenacious on the forecheck with a two-way game. He posted nine points (4 G, 5 A) in 43 games in Czechia’s top league and was teammates with current Kings prospect Jakub Dvořák at the World Juniors for Team Czechia, winning a bronze medal. I’m not high on this pick selection, but Čihař’s projection looks like a bottom-six forward.

Kristian Epperson (3rd round, 88th overall)

Age: 19

Position: Left Wing

Kristian Epperson had a good season with the Saginaw Spirit (OHL). The second-year draft-eligible prospect finished with 80 points (27 G, 53 A) in 58 games playing alongside second overall pick Michael Misa. Epperson has some skill to him, and his specialty lies in the forechecking, with many scouts and analysts crediting him for his ‘high energy’. He’ll be playing at the University of Denver this upcoming season.

Caeden Herrington (4th round, 120th overall)

Age: 19

Position: Defenseman

The Kings went with another right-handed defenseman and a second-year draft-eligible prospect with their first of two picks in the fourth round. Caeden Herrington spent the entire 2024-25 season in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars and finished with 34 points (16 G, 18 A) in 56 games. His 16 goals and seven power-play goals led all defensemen in the USHL. Herrington fits the bill for how the Kings have drafted right-shot defensemen in years past: an offensive-minded defenseman. Like Epperson, he’ll be playing in the NCAA next season, but with the University of Vermont. I like this pick in the fourth round.

Jimmy Lombardi (4th round, 125th overall)

Age: 18

Position: Center

The Kings’ second pick of the fourth round was used to select Flint Firebirds (OHL) center Jimmy Lombardi. Lombardi, 18, recorded 45 points (13 G, 32 A) in 63 games. I like Lombardi’s skill and playmaking abilities. We’ll see how his game translates to the NCAA level when he joins the University of Michigan in 2026. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s three draft picks that are expected to play in the NCAA within the next two years.

Petteri Rimpinen (5th round, 152nd overall)

Age: 19

Position: Goalie

You can never have too many goalies. The Kings took Finland netminder Petteri Rimpinen with their fifth-round selection. Rimpinen, an athletic netminder, finished the season with a 2.35 GAA and a .912 SV% in 40 games for Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga). He made a name for himself at the World Juniors, posting a .933 SV% in seven games for Finland and earning a silver medal. This is my favorite pick by the Kings in the later rounds, and they now boast four goalies in their prospect pool, which has some excitement from all four at that position. Hopefully, one of the four hits.

Jan Chovan (6th round, 184th overall)

Age: 18

Position: Center

Jan Chovan, a 6’2″ center, was drafted in the sixth round by the Kings. Chovan racked up 23 points (11 G, 12 A) in 39 games for Tappara U20 (Finland). By rounds six and seven, the chances of players making the NHL roster are slim, but there is a chance that one can surprise people and become a valuable player. Perhaps the Kings saw something in Chovan’s defensive and forechecking game.

Brendan McMorrow (7th round, 196th overall)

Age: 19

Position: Center

Brendan McMorrow was one of two seventh-round selections by the Kings. He posted 42 points (24 G, 18 A) in 58 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks. He also notched 14 points ( 7 G, 7 A) in 15 playoff games as Waterloo was the runner-up in the Clarke Cup. The pick was another second-year draft-eligible player committed to playing at the University of Denver this upcoming season. The 19-year-old forward is the third Kings prospect who will suit up for the University of Denver next season, joining James Reeder and Kristian Epperson. He is also the fourth selection by the Kings to play at the college level next season.

Will Sharpe (7th round, 216th overall)

Age: 18

Position: Defenseman

With their last selection of the day, the hosts took Will Sharpe, a left-handed defenseman from the Kelowna Rockets (WHL). The 18-year-old recorded 44 points in 66 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Kelowna.

Sharpe’s combination of mobility, offensive instinct, and minutes logged make him one of the more intriguing WHL defenders available in the 2025 class. He must improve defensively—particularly in stop-start reads, off-puck coverage awareness, and shot filtering—before he can be trusted in NHL systems. But the upside is real for a team willing to be patient with his development curve. – Neutral zone scouting reports