Kings prospects Kevin Gravel and Nic Dowd are in action today in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. Their team, #4 St. Cloud State, will take on #1 Quinnipac Bobcats at 5:45 pm Pacific.
The game will be live on ESPN2. If you’re still at work (and feel very brave), you can also stream the game at WatchESPN.
6’4″ Kevin Gravel is a promising stay-at-home defenseman whom we hope becomes the next Rob Scuderi — except bigger. Back in 2011, a Kings scout summed him up this way: “Kevin has been real solid. He plays a simple game and keeps himself between his goal and the opposing player. He always finds himself in the right spot.” His name comes up often as an under-the-radar prospect to watch, and I’m excited to get a look at him today. He’s only 21, so he probably has more development ahead of him, but the Kings sure need more players of his type.
Junior Nic Dowd is a leader on the young St. Cloud team. He is billed as a tenacious center who thrives on winning puck battles and for being “ferocious along the boards.” Incidentally, he also sports some magnificent hockey hair. He and some of his teammates have been growing their manes longer for the Locks of Love charity, which creates wigs for cancer patients. You have to love a guy who’s stylish and giving.
Dowd is also the first Alabama-born player to be drafted by an NHL team. The Kings took him in the seventh round in 2009. Here, he recounts finding out by getting a text while shopping at Wal-Mart.
Read More
Daryl’s Development: Kevin Gravel – An excellent look at this prospect back when he was only 19.
Eye on the Future: Nic Dowd (Western College Hockey Blog) – An in-depth scouting report. Sounds like a Lombardi kind of guy.
After emotional rollercoaster, St. Cloud State rides balance into the Frozen Four – The story of the team’s bumpy but successful journey.
Frozen Four a hair-raising conclusion – The players’ Locks of Love campaign is highlighted by USA Today.
Kings’ prospect Kevin Gravel talks pressure of the Frozen Four – Interview by Mayor’s Manor.