Ontario Reign: Mid-season Grades for the Prospects

Kenny Connors 

Stats: 9 goals, 15 assists, 24 points, +13 rating in 39 games played

Outstanding. That’s one word to describe Kenny Connors’ halfway point through his rookie campaign. Connors, mainly used as Ontario’s third-line center, is tied for the team lead in goals by a rookie with nine and leads all rookie skaters on the Reign with 24 points. He is also tied for the team lead in 5v5 points with 17, all while playing a strong 200-foot game with power play and penalty kill time. He earned the trust of the coaching staff from day one.

Grade: A

Jack Hughes

Stats: 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, +/- 0 rating in 33 games played

Jack Hughes has primarily played on the fourth line this year. I see the skill he possesses, I do. However, I don’t see his game being elevated to the next step. Maybe that happens by the end of his two-year AHL contract, but for now, he’s been okay.

Grade: C

Aatu Jamsen

Stats: 7 goals, 7 assists, 14 points, -4 rating in 36 games played

Aatu Jamsen has already tied his goal total from last year and surpassed his assist and point totals from last year in the same number of games. I like Jamsen’s craftiness with the puck, and his edgework is phenomenal. I think he’s been more noticeable and adapted to the smaller ice this year. He’s surprisingly added a tiny bit of sandpaper to his game with the reverse checks behind the net.

Grade: B

Kaleb Lawrence

Stats: 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, +1 rating in 6 games played

Kaleb Lawrence missed 32 games with an injury and has played in four of the five games since returning to the lineup. However, with only six games played, I’m hesitant to give him a grade due to the limited time he’s been available. We’ll re-assess his season once it’s over.

Grade: Incomplete (N/A)

Andre Lee

Stats: 15 goals, 12 assists, 27 points, +6 rating in 32 games played

Andre Lee has thrived in his role this season with the Reign. He has taken on a more offensive role than in years past, in addition to his defensive role. Lee’s biggest jump has been his power play time, leading the team with seven. A phenomenal job he has done midway through the season, and it even earned him a call-up.

Grade: A

Francesco Pinelli

Stats: 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points, +6 rating in 32 games played

It’s been an okay first half for Francesco Pinelli. He’s been injured on two separate occasions, but is a slightly over a 0.50 point-per-game player. I would like to see more offensive production in the second half, given it’s his third year in the AHL.

Grade: C

Jared Wright

Stats: 9 goals, 7 assists, 16 points, +17 rating in 39 games played

Jared Wright’s rookie campaign has flown under the radar, with Connors getting most of the attention. Wright is tied with Connors for the team lead in goals with nine and leads the Reign in a plus-minus rating of +17. Wright’s biggest strength is his speed. That speed allows him to transition up and down the ice on the forecheck and the backcheck. He’s been a responsible two-way player who has earned the coaching staff’s trust.

Grade: A

Koehn Ziemmer

Stats: 3 goals, 9 assists, 12 points, +6 rating in 29 games played

Koehn Ziemmer was one of the players I was looking forward to seeing turn pro. His skating hasn’t been too much of an issue, but his size has been more of a factor. He’s not afraid to throw a hit or a check along the boards and has played his role well as a bottom-six forward. Hopefully, we see his defensive game improve, and the offensive production increase a bit here in the second half.

Grade: B

Defenseman

Angus Booth

Stats: 1 goal, 5 assists, 6 points, +4 rating, 29 games played

Angus Booth missed some time early in the season and had a slow start in his return (as expected). Now a mainstay in the lineup since his return, Booth has had several different defensive partners, with Kirsanov being the recent one. He’s been solid for at least a few weeks now. Good to see him contribute the same way he did last year.

Grade: B

Jakub Dvořák

Stats: 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, +4 rating in 30 games played

Jakub Dvořák is someone we need to be patient with. I’ll continue to stay patient, but I see why the Kings were high on him when they drafted him in the second round in 2023 because of his size. He’s still learning and is only 20 years old.

Grade: C

Kirill Kirsanov

Stats: 4 goals, 2 assists, 6 points, +4 rating in 36 games played

It took four years, but we finally got our first look at Kirill Kirsanov playing hockey in North America. First impressions from the Russian defenseman have been excellent. He has good stick details, played a vital role on the penalty kill, and is efficient in defending the rush. No debate on what his grade is here.

Grade: A

Otto Salin

Stats: 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points, -2 rating in 27 games played

I like Otto Salin’s offensive game despite the numbers not backing it up. He likes to join the rush and almost plays like a forward in the offensive zone. Being on the smaller side for a defenseman, he already has the odds stacked against him in making the NHL. The defensive side is where he will need to continue to work on his game.

Grade: C

Goalies

Erik Portillo

Stats: 9-1-1-0 record, 2.33 GAA, .912 sv%, 1 shutout; 1 assist in 13 games played

Erik Portillo came back from his back injury last season, which knocked him out of action for the final two months of the season, and played well to start the year. Another injury on November 12th took him out for two months, but he has done well in his return. Even with the limited action, Portillo’s play has earned him a high grade at the mid-season mark.

Grade: A