Roster Adjustments for the Los Angeles Kings
In a series of roster adjustments ahead of their upcoming practice, the Los Angeles Kings have brought defenseman Joe Hicketts up from the AHL’s Ontario Reign while sending center Kenny Connors back to Ontario. These changes come as a response to a recent injury suffered by defenseman Mikey Anderson during the Kings’ last game against the Carolina Hurricanes, where he exited early with an upper-body injury after just 2 minutes and 50 seconds of ice time.
Joe Hicketts’ Call-Up
Though no formal update has been provided regarding Anderson’s recovery timeline, Hicketts is being called up as emergency support on defense. At 29 years old, Hicketts has spent the last six years playing exclusively in the AHL, predominantly with the Reign over the past three seasons. His last appearance in the NHL dates back to the 2019-20 season when he played in six games for the Detroit Red Wings, bringing his total NHL experience to 22 games.
Known for his short stature at 5-foot-8 and a left-handed shot, he has accumulated 41 penalty minutes and a -9 plus-minus rating while recording three goals and 14 points in 41 games this season with the Reign.
Kenny Connors Returns to Ontario
Meanwhile, Connors, a rookie who’s just begun his professional career after three seasons at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, returns to the minors without having the chance to make an NHL debut. In the AHL this season, the 22-year-old has tallied nine goals and 24 points across 41 games, currently ranking sixth in scoring for the Reign and holding a notable +13 rating.
Upcoming Matchup
The Kings are set to take on the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, a matchup that may be impacted by Anderson’s injury status, suggesting he might not return in time and could potentially miss action until after the Olympic break.
