With training camp just weeks away the Los Angeles Kings have re-signed defenseman Mikey Anderson to a 1-year, $1 million deal on September 11, 2022.
The stay-at-home, physical defenseman played 57 games last season, racking up two goals and six assists for eight points. In those games, he also had 69 blocks and 133 hits. For his Kings career, he has played in 117 games, scoring four goals and 16 assists for 20 points. Drafted by the Kings in the fourth round(103rd overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft, Anderson has become quite dependable while playing alongside veteran Drew Doughty. He is rarely out of position and seems comfortable playing the body while closing gaps on the opposing forwards.
Anderson is one of the leaders of the defense. He is young but he is also vocal in the locker room, bringing a leadership role to the defense core. Although he has not been in the league long he carries himself well and is one to show leadership.
Anderson is confident and persistent. He will not give up on a play until it is outside of the Kings zone. Andersson is determined, yet focused, when it comes to the tasks at hand. He has played well in his NHL career, supplying a physical, yet mature, game to his style of play. Anderson does not get out of place often as he has a high hockey IQ and he knows where the play is going. He has an outstanding future ahead of himself and could wear a letter in the near future.
As the winner of two NCAA Division 1 championships, he has a winning pedigree this team needs. He has been a winner everywhere he has been and plays an important role in the Kings defense. Getting him on such a cheap deal was a great move by general manager Rob Blake. Now we see if Anderson can lead the team back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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(photo:sportsnet.ca;Jae C. Hong) (photo: thescore.com; Josh Gold-Smith)
