Ontario Reign Roster Update

Free agent signings by the LA Kings and the Ontario Reign (AHL contracts) have provided a clearer picture of the Reign’s current roster.

Players re-signed

Taylor Ward 

Ward was signed to a one-year $775,000 two-way contract extension. In 66 games for the Reign, Ward recorded 12 goals, a new career-high, and chipped in with 15 assists. He also got his first taste of NHL action. In the last game of the regular season where he scored in his Debut. 

Martin Chromiak

Similar to Ward, it was a one-year, $775,000 extension. It was an up-and-down season for Chromiak, who struggled a lot in the first half of the season. Once he was put on a line with Charles Hudon and Glenn Gawdin, he showed some flashes of potential. He ended the season with a career high across the board in goals, assists, and points. 

Pheonix Copley

Copley was signed to a one-year, $775,000 extension for depth purposes. After a torn ACL the previous season, Copley came back strong and was the Reign’s most consistent goalie, and for most games, was their best player. He ended the regular season with 24 wins, 2 Shutouts, a .904 save percentage, and a 2.49 GAA. 

Players in their first pro season/first full season in North America

Otto Salin

Salin played three games with the Regin to end the regular season and one playoff game. He recorded an assist within that time. 

Koehn Ziemmer

Ziemmer, like Salin, played in three regular-season games at the end of last season. He should be getting a look in Ontario’s middle-six with his size and scoring touch.

Jared Wright

Like Salin and Ziemmer, Wright played in three regular-season games and recorded an assist. The 22-year-old impressed me with his high energy and his speed. He’s projected to be a solid bottom-six winger for Ontario this season and could be a penalty kill option with his speed.

Kenny Connors

Connors was signed to his ELC before the Regin’s Regular season ended, but due to an injury, his debut will happen this season. He’s like Wright, a high-energy bottom-six option. He has good playmaking ability and could also see time on the penalty kill

Kirill Kirsanov 

Kirsanov will be finally coming over from the KHL this season for his first professional season in North America. I’m very excited as his potential on the defensive side is very similar to Vladislav Gavrikov, and he can move the puck better than most AHL defensemen. It will take some time to adjust to the North American style of hockey, but the potential is there.

Jack Hughes

The Kings’ second-round pick back in 2022 was signed to a two-year AHL deal with the Reign. He played this past season at Boston University up and down the lineup. He had 25 points in 40 games.

New players via free agency

Logan Brown

Logan Brown will fill the Jack Studnicka gap at the center position for the Regin very well.  In 33 Games last year for the Syracuse Crunch, he registered 29 points. The Big concern is he has a long injury history, but has played well when healthy. At 6’7 229 lbs, he’s the type of player you put in front of the goalie on the power play to tip pucks or screen the goalie from the shot.

Cole Guttman

Guttman was signed to a two-year deal with an AAV of $775,000. His numbers were impressive in the regular season with 23 goals and 34 assists for 57 points in 70 games. He added five assists in seven playoff games as well. With his scoring and playmaking capabilities, he should feature a role in the top-six and power play.

Samuel Bolduc

Bolduc was signed to a one-year contract worth $775,000 after spending his entire career with the New York Islanders organization. Offensively, he was above average with nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points, but what hurts him was being a -38. It’s not entirely on him, as the 24-25 Bridgeport Islanders were historically bad.