Kings’ sign Hicketts, Ward and Lawrence to contracts

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Colton Davies | Last updated 5/24/24

The Los Angeles Kings have signed Joe Hicketts and Taylor Ward to one-year, two-way contract extensions the club announced Friday afternoon.

Ward’s contract will have an average annual value (AAV) of $775,000, while Hicketts’ contract will also pay $775,000.

Meanwhile, the Kings also announced that they have agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with London Knights forward Kaleb Lawrence. Lawrence was selected No. 215 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

We have signed three players to NHL contracts:

▪️ F Taylor Ward (one-year, two-way contract)
▪️ D Joe Hicketts (one-year, two-way contract)
▪️ F Kaleb Lawrence (three-year, entry-level contract)

Read More https://t.co/n7ambeVApH #GoKingsGo | @Enterprise pic.twitter.com/1vTBCCpq4f
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 24, 2024

Ward and Hicketts spent the 2023-24 season with the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Ontario Reign where he notched a career-high 11 goals and 32 points in 71 games. He added two goals and five assists for seven points in eight Calder Cup Playoff contests.

Hicketts notched one goal and 20 points in 30 games with the Reign; he added one goal and six points in eight Calder Cup Playoff games. Hicketts has appeared in 449 career AHL games split between Ontario, Iowa and Grand Rapids, he has notched 217 points in that frame.

Lawrence spent the 2023-24 regular season with the OHL Champions London Knights. The 6-foot-7 forward is currently with the Knights at the 2024 DOW Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Michigan. Lawrence tallied 37 points in 58 games this season split between the Knights and Ottawa 67s. He added nine points in eight OHL Playoff contests with London. In 149 OHL games, Lawrence has accumulated 41 goals and 41 assists for 82 points.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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