With collegiate programs across the country preparing to open their 2024-25 seasons, this week’s College Hockey Poll features five Kings prospects at four different ranked schools.
No. 1 – Denver University
The reigning National Champions have not one, but two Kings prospects on their roster for this season. Forward Jared Wright is returning for what is expected to be his third and final campaign with the Pioneers. Last season, the 6-foot-3 winger produced 25 points (15G, 10A) while in 44 games. He also recorded a team-high five game-winning goals.
Originally selected in the sixth round at the 2022 NHL Draft, Wright is often talked about as a 200-foot player and complimented for his NHL-level skating. In fact, LA Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti was recently talking up Wright’s future with the Kings.
Joining DU this season as a freshman is a player the organization has yet to host at Development Camp in LA. Forward James Reeder — who prefers to be called Jay — was selected in the seventh round at this past June’s Draft in Las Vegas. Like Wright, he’s a right shot winger. Having spent the last two seasons with Dubuque (USHL), the 18-year-old will now step up to the NCAA ranks and fight to carve out a role on a very deep team.
No. 3 – Boston University
At the 2022 NHL Draft, the Kings did not have a first-round pick. However, of the seven players they did select that weekend, four of them were bound for college hockey. At the top of that list was forward Jack Hughes, taken at No. 51. He began his NCAA career at Northeastern before transferring to BU after his sophomore season. As Kings AGM Nelson Emerson noted during his recent Kings Of The Podcast appearance, Hughes had a much stronger second half to his 2023-24 campaign after getting off to a bit of slow start with the Terriers.
It will be interesting to see what type of impact Hughes is able to have at BU this season, where he’ll be expected to contribute in more of an offensive role now that the team has lost Macklin Celebrini (Sharks) and Lane Hutson (Canadiens) to the NHL.
No. 14 – UMass
Another of the players expected to turn pro after this season, forward Kenny Connors is back with the Minutemen for this third year. Thought by many to be a sleeper pick when he was selected in round four at the 2022 NHL Draft, Connors made those people look smart when he was later selected to represent Team USA at the World Junior Championships. He’s a guy who can easily be described as a ‘typical Kings player.’ Connors is tough to play against and while not known for putting up big point, he has a knack for scoring in key moments.
Kenny Connors episode: Kings Of The Podcast
No. 17 – Western Michigan
Another freshman entering NCAA play this season — and the only goaltender among this entire group — is Hampton Slukynsky. All this kid does is find new ways to impress. It’s almost unfair to boil his entire career thus far down into a soundbite, but… he essentially went from teaching himself how to be a goaltender in his parent’s basement by watching YouTube videos and using a pitching machine to backstopping the Fargo Force to the USHL Championship last season. He was also named the league’s Goaltender of the Year, behind a .923 save percentage and 1.86 goals against average. He won’t start 2024-25 as the Broncos top goalie, yet it may not be too long before he takes the reigns.
Unranked Schools
Although their programs didn’t make the Top 25 cut this week, Ryan Conmy and Jack Sparkes are two additional Kings prospects at schools that could conceivably rise in the rankings this season. Both New Hampshire (Conmy) and Clarkson (Sparkes) did receive votes in the poll, though, and depending on their play early could gain traction in the months ahead.
Conmy, thought to be another potential late round gem, has been at the top of the conversation when discussing the most impressive Kings prospects at Dev Camp each of the past two seasons. Emerson stopped just short of calling him the MVP here.
With 31 points (14G, 17A) in 34 games for the Wildcats last season, Conmy was one of the most productive freshmen in the country. He’s intent on building off those numbers this year.
Sparkes, a 6-foot-8 defenseman is a different story.
Not only does he tower over Conmy, but he’ll also be seeing college action for the first time this season. Originally targeted for Northern Michigan, Sparkes transferred to Clarkson in the hopes of getting more playing time to further aid his development. Former Kings captain Dave Taylor went to Clarkson, as did Stanley Cup winner Willie Mitchell. Perhaps some of that good fortune can rub off on the towering reargaurd.
RELATED CONTENT:
Follow @mayorNHL
Continue reading...
