Los Angeles Kings Transactions: Prospects and the Return of Vey
Dean Lombardi announced on Thursday that Linden Vey has been recalled from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League. He was sent down due to cap restrictions following the acquisition of Marian Gaborik on the March 5th trade deadline, but Lombardi promised to bring him back as soon as there was enough available cap space. Vey is expected to join the team in San Jose at the start of their four game road trip. No word yet on how Darryl Sutter plans to use him.
On Tuesday, the Kings announced the signings of prospects Nic Dowd and Michael Mersch to entry level contracts following the end of their college hockey careers.
Mersch, the leading goal scorer in the Big Ten, signed a three year ELC shortly after the Wisconsin Badgers were eliminated from the playoffs. Electing to return to college for his senior year, Mersch scored 22 goals and racked up 35 points in 37 games. Ryan Evans of SBN College Hockey has more on the 22 year old native of Park Ridge, Ill. while Jon Rosen of the LA Kings Insider spoke to Nelson Emerson, head of LA Kings Player Development.
Nic Dowd is one of three Hobey Baker Award finalists along with the heavily favorited Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College. Selected in the 7th round of the 2009 draft, 23 year old Dowd appears to have come a long way, being nominated for college hockey’s top honor and signing a one year ELC (per the current CBA, prospects are eligible for 1-3 year contracts depending on their age). LA Kings Insider has more on the Huskies’ captain and Chris Dilks of SBN College Hockey wrote about Dowd being under appreciated for being such a complete player.
Per John Hoven, Mersch has already reported to Manchester and Dowd is on his way.
Michael Mersch will play for @MonarchsHockey this weekend. As of now, plan is for the #LAKings prospect to make his pro debut tmrw night.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 3, 2014
MayorsManor has confirmed @glassandout7 has signed an ATO w/ @MonarchsHockey – he’s on a flight to Manch. Could play this weekend. #LAKings
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 3, 2014
And in case you missed it, goalie prospect Patrik Bartosak’s junior career with the Red Deer Rebels ended in mid-March after his team was eliminated from playoff contention. He signed his ELC on March 5th and reported to Manchester shortly after his season in Red Deer ended. According to Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider, Bartosak, 20, “finished the season as the WHL’s saves leader while accounting for the most saves in one season (2,129) and the most cumulative saves 4,546 in Rebels history.
In 145 games over three seasons, the Kings’ fifth round draft pick in 2013 was 80-50-6-5 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and 14 shutouts with Red Deer. He was named the 2013 CHL Goaltender of the Year.”
Mathias Niederberger, who had been serving as Berube’s backup in Manchester due to Jones permanently joining the Kings’ roster, was officially reassigned to the Ontario Reign of the ECHL on March 25.
