LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Mikey Anderson

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LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Mikey Anderson

Originally posted on Hockey Royalty | By Kyle Garcia | Last updated Aug 13, 2026 1:43 PM ET

With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Mikey Anderson!

Mikey Anderson

Birthdate: May 25, 1999

Birthplace: Roseville, Minnesota

Height: 6’0

Weight: 195 lbs

Position: Defense

Shoots: Left

Draft: 4th round, 103rd overall, 2017 NHL Draft

2025-26 season

For the fourth straight season, Mikey Anderson was Drew Doughty’s partner. Being paired with Doughty over the years meant Anderson took on tough matchups and ate heavy minutes.

Anderson plays the shutdown role and is a prototypical left-handed defenseman (albeit on the smaller side) of a Kings defenseman. They don’t possess offensive upside and are relied upon to be a defensive-minded-only defenseman.

“Nice f****** play Michael” – Drew Doughty pic.twitter.com/mbs2IFFrdw

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 4, 2026

When looking at his advanced numbers when with Doughty, according to Natural Stat Trick, they are decent. The duo possessed a 52.4 CF%, 52.9 GF%, 35.4 xGA, and a 55.5 HDCF% at 5v5. The underlying numbers looked good and were some of the best among the three main pairs in a defensive-oriented system.

2026-27 outlook

Anderson is entering the fourth year of his eight-year contract. I expect him to play on the top pair again. Anderson, on most teams, would be a second-pair defenseman, but with the Kings lacking upside on the left side, Anderson is their number one.

Will it be with his usual partner, Doughty? Or will the Kings finally give Brandt Clarke a prominent role and elevate him to the top pair? We will have to wait for training camp to see that, but if you ask me, I prefer the latter.

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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