The 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships are being held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, starting on Tuesday, August 9th, and running until the 20th of August. The Los Angeles Kings will be represented, sending 5 prospects to the highly competitive tournament. The five prospects are going to be listed below, with the exception of defenseman Brock Faber, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild in the trade that sent forward Kevin Fiala to Los Angeles.
Slovakian Martin Chromiak, a forward for the OHL Kingston Frontenacs, was drafted by the Kings 128th overall in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Chromiak has progressed well and looks to be rising up the depth chart for the Kings. Blessed with an NHL slapshot he always finds a way to score goals and will be an asset when he arrives in Los Angeles.
During the 2021/22 season, Chromiak recorded 44 goals and 42 assists for 86 points in only 60 games. Not only does he have a cannon for a shot he is also a very underrated passer. He should be with the AHL affiliate Ontario Reign to start the 2022/23 season.
Swede Helge Grans is a defenseman for the Ontario Reign. Blessed with great vision, a good point shot, and above-average passing skills he looks to make his NHL debut for the Kings this upcoming season. In 56 Reign games, he posted 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points as a rookie defenseman. He looks to quarterback the Reign power-play unit this upcoming season as he looks to continuously improve his game.
Finish center Samuel Helenius is a big boy at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds. He plays a physical game and is aggressive on the forecheck. Grans was drafted by Los Angeles in the second round (59th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. Last season Helenius played for Liiga JYP U20, JYP, and the Ontario Reign, combining for 61 games played, scoring 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points.
Russian defenseman Kirill Kirsanov plays a solid two-way game that allows him to slice through the defense while in the offensive zone. While playing his defensive position he has a good stick and does not allow himself to get caught napping. A good, solid defenseman with good, offensive instincts. Drafted by the Kings 84th overall in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, he also played for three teams last season. He recorded 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points while playing for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in the VHL, and SKA-1946 St. Petersburg in the MHL.
Lastly, Finish right winger Kasper Simontaival was drafted by the Kings 66th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. A solid two-way player is a pure goal scorer with a highly accurate shot. Last season, he contributed 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points in 36 games while playing for KalPa and Lukko, both of Liiga.
Plenty of Kings talent in this year’s World Juniors tournament. Who are the Kings prospects you are looking forward to watching?
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(photo: lakingsinssider.com; Jack Jablonski) (photo:lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
