With the clock ticking on Jaret Anderson-Dolan’s Entry Level Contract kicking in, the Kings decided today to reassign him back to the WHL, where he will rejoin the Spokane Chiefs.
While Anderson-Dolan showed that he can compete at the NHL level, the organization has decided the best thing for his development is to continue his career in major junior hockey. He immediately assumes the role of a major offensive threat for the Chiefs, who will be without the services of Kailer Yamamoto, Hudson Elynuik, and Zach Fischer, three of the team’s five top goal scorers last season. Spokane is currently 6-3-0-2 on the season and will benefit immensely from Anderson-Dolan’s return.
Not only will the 19-year old get a chance to jump into the spotlight all on his own, without Yamamoto for offensive help, but he’s already gotten a glimpse of areas where he needs to improve for the NHL, and can work on those skills in the WHL rather than adjusting on the fly in Los Angeles. Ultimately, making sure that Anderson-Dolan has the chance to play every game, and is around a winning environment, will probably be more beneficial than playing on a Kings team that’s still struggling to find its way.
UPDATE: John Stevens briefly commented on the reassignment of Anderson-Dolan this morning after practice:
JS worded it softer but alluded to the fact they don’t want JAD up here in a losing culture; he’ll be the man in Spokane, play in Worlds. Also, Doughty said he wasn’t chirping James Harden. Hmmm.
— Curtis Zupke (@curtiszupke) October 22, 2018
The Kings have used their open roster spot on defenseman Sean Walker, who has earned his first call-up to the NHL. Walker has flown under the radar for many Kings fans, just missing the cut for our Top 25 Under 25 countdown this year. He played on an AHL contract last season, having joined the Reign after playing four years at Bowling Green State University. Walker led the Reign defensemen in assists and total points last season and his strong play there earned him an NHL contract for this year.
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Walker has six points in seven games this season and leads Ontario’s defensemen in goals and total points. He’s been one of Ontario’s more reliable defensemen so far this season, and as Colin pointed out in today’s Reign Recap, Walker isn’t afraid to shoot the puck. He’s got 32 shots on the season, including a ridiculous 12 in one game against Milwaukee last week.
Walker has been Ontario’s best defenseman this season. An “effortless” skater as described by Mike Stothers. https://t.co/9Wqt1jhaFV
— Zach Dooley (@ReignInsider) October 22, 2018