The Ontario Reign season officially wrapped up today at Citizen's Business Bank Arena.
It was a somber day, a bit surreal perhaps, for members of both media and team who now look forward to a short offseason by hockey standards. With players funneling in and out for locker clean out and exit interviews with the staff, we were able to round up some of the key players from the Reign for end of the season thoughts. We will try to go through and highlight some things from each player that jumped out.
Also, Mike Stothers and Team President Darren Abbott made media appearances. Stothers talked for a record 28 minutes in his interview, diving into numerous aspects of the season, his players, the organization itself, his future, and the Kings/Reign positive relationship this season.
But first let's hit on some of the players before diving into Stothers at another time.
Michael Mersch
Mersch on what he took away from the season: "Losing sucks"
— Lindsay Czarnecki (@ReignInsider) May 31, 2016
Mersch was the first man out, and also arguably the most somber and thoughtful of the group. It was clear that the sting of the series loss and the conclusion of his season was still very much on his mind. Mersch was a fierce competitor throughout the year and it is understandable that he would take being eliminated to heart.
In terms of his offseason:
"Biggest thing is to just gain some more muscle that I lost during the season, which happens. And that's probably it, just come into camp ready to go."
Mersch also detailed that he'd probably give himself two to three weeks before getting back in the swing of things. Included in his offseason training is also skating with Jim Swoyer, who is a coach and founder of Hockey Biomechanics. This same place has helped NHL players like Joe Pavelski, Brock Nelson, and Rickard Rakell amongst others. It is also where Vincent LoVerde goes to train in the offseason. Mersch has worked with him since his freshman year of college.
In regards to having the Kings front office so close for development purposes:
"Yea there definitely were some new things. They were able to come down here more often and work with us whether it was before practice or after practice, or watch video or whatever. I think it was a huge success altogether."
He later went on to say,
"It's huge. I think everybody is able to watch your game a little bit more and they are able to give a little bit more direct feedback."
In regards to his NHL callup, Mersch had perhaps the most interesting and humanizing quote of the morning,
"It's definitely a process. You gotta deal with a lot of people telling you a lot of things. All trying to help you, but you have to learn to process the things that other people say and play your game. There is a lot of learning that goes on with that stuff. I just got a little taste of it. I'm going to take some time this summer, sit back and think about it, and learn to let it help me."
Mersch will head home this summer to Minnesota with the NHL window looming wide open in front of him.
Jonny Brodzinski
Brodzinski had a strong overall year despite a slow start. Everyone started to see flashes of the gifted shooter, goal scorer, and potential two-way winger he could become.
For Jonny, unfortunately his season was cut short due to a thumb injury he sustained while blocking a shot in the last game of the San Jose series. However, he let us know that he is about four weeks away in total from being able to go with stick in hand. He also let on that they may have tried to push it in getting him back in the lineup post injury, but things did not feel write, and surgery was ultimately needed to repair the damage done.
On his takeaways from this season:
"Ya know probably just not to press right away."
(Brodzinski, who had 15 goals on the season, did not score in his first 17 games of the year, and had just five at the halfway mark of the season at 37 games.)
"That was kind of one of the big things going into this year. Trying to come out on a hot start right away, and it didn't happen so I got kind of frustrated and that's just something you can't do in this league."
On being close to the Kings organization in terms of distance:
Yea it's definitely nice to be out here for sure. Coming from the end of the year there in Manchester where the head guys (From LA) don't get to come out to that many games."
Brodzinski will finished up by saying the offseason goal is to first off get the thumb back to 100%, keeping in shape, and heading home to Minnesota where he will skate with all four of his brothers.
"It'll be a rip around out there"
Adrian Kempe
One of the more prominent figures in the Kings organization is that of Adrian Kempe, who like many first year players started to come on stronger as the season progressed. Stothers noted in his interview that while he believes another year in the AHL will help Kempe, he "is Adrian Kempe, he takes your breath away." but as Stothers humorously noted Kempe can take your breath away "By kicking you in the gut." From night to night the young Swede could be a very different player. When he was on he was, as Stother said, a breathtaking player with his speed and skill. However, when he was off you could have trouble noticing his play.
When asked about general consistency as a young player
"Yea I think that was a thing I tried to be better on. I had some ups and downs. Like I'd play really good and then play not so good the next game. I just try and be more consistent every game and I think I learned that a lot this season. I think by the end of the season I was really good at trying to keep up my game (Level of play), and I think I played really well almost every game at the end. I'm starting to get better at that, and hopefully I'll be really good at it next season."
Kempe played several years pro in Sweden before heading to the AHL, when he was asked about the comparisons after spending a year in North America and how he adjusted:
"Yea it's a different league ya know, a different game, it's bigger ice there, it's not as physical as it is over here. It was pretty hard in the beginning to get into this game, but after a while you get into it and I think my game fits better here than it does in Sweden. So I kind of like it more here."
Kempe did indeed show a much more nasty physical tone than many expected. While perhaps originally considered a bit of a skilled speedster, Kempe could very well have an element of power forward to him if he can pack on the weight and still maintain his cutting edge speed.
He also had nothing but positives to say about the distance to Los Angeles, calling it a "Really good set up." that is "Really good for myself and all the young guys."
In terms of summer goals, Kempe highlighted getting into off-ice workouts soon in order to keep himself on the ice for as long as possible, aka endurance. He also mentioned that coming back after a summer with that high endurance is a good sign when entering training camp.
While Kempe primarily played wing this season, he also served time when the team needed him at center. In fact, Kempe may have played some of his best games of the year at center in the postseason. Interestingly enough he was not closed off to playing a more versatile role moving forward.
On preferring center or wing
"It doesn't matter. When I play wing and go to center it can be pretty hard to do that job right away. It's a little bit different. But when you got back to wing from center I think it's easier to go back right away.
I don't know, I can play where I play most. If I play center I'll probably get more ice time there, so I'd probably rather play there. But it doesn't matter, wing or center, it doesn't matter."
Kempe, although seemingly enigmatic at times, is definitely a well liked presenced around the locker room. While shy with the media for most of the year he has an enjoyable and active personality online, which includes streaming games he is playing on TwitchTV. If you were looking forward to that during the summer though, too bad, Kempe is going home to Sweden tomorrow.
JL: Any games you are going to stream on TwitchTV this summer?
"(Laughs) Nooo I'm not as much a gamer during the summer, I might though."
JL: No Overwatch?
And with a smile "We'll see, maybe."
Kevin Gravel
Everyone was fairly upbeat and relaxed, notably big defenseman Kevin Gravel. Gravel's year was one of extreme positives, headlining the Reign's defensive unit and playing an upwards of 23-25 minutes a night. He also received two call-ups to the NHL and got his first NHL minutes.
Despite the team going out in the final four, he remained positive.
When asked about the takeaway from this season
"You know what, I think when you look at it as a whole it was a good season. It was our first year out in California and I'm not sure many guys knew what to expect. I think from all aspects of it it was a pretty great success. Fanwise the crowds were great all year, we were received well out here. We made strides as a team too, we fell short of our ultimate goal, but Western Conference Finals, it's tough to get there. We were one of the final four teams. Obviously we fell short of the ultimate goal, but when you look at it as a whole it was a pretty good year for us."
Gravel also stressed improving on all aspects of his game and mentioning he still had room to add a little muscle to his frame (Presumably while not losing mobility). He had mentioned that he and Dowd usually spend summers together with a group of guys in Minneapolis working out and will do the same this offseason in an effort to "put himself in a good spot" coming into 2016-17 camp.
On how he improved over the course of the season
I think I became harder to play against in my own zone. Whether it was with my stick or finishing guys off in the corner, I think that was an area my game lacked a little bit and obviously it's not where it needs to be yet, but it got better throughout the year. I think just in terms of puck moving too. I played some important minutes this year, and I got put in a lot of situations this year thanks to the coaching staff, and I just tried to do my best when I was out there. When you play so many games and so many minutes, you grow confidence, and with that you get more confident to do things with the puck. Everything kind of builds off of that."
He also talked a bit about the NHL time he saw,
When asked about his NHL call up and it's importance
"You never know what anything is like until you are there and experience it. Same with here. You never know what the playoffs are like until you experience it. You never know what the grueling season is like down here until you experience it. Same with up there, you watch games on TV as much as you want and you hear guys tell you about the pace and the strength of the guys and how everything works off ice but until you experience it first hand you never truly understand it."
Gravel then went on to do an excellent job summarizing what he felt is perhaps the most important aspect of that call up, something we maybe overlook as fans.
"I think one of the big things in getting a taste is you're familiar with the guys now. You're comfortable with the guys. That's huge. You're not really walking on eggshells as much as when you are first called up. You're comfortable talking to them and things like that. Undercover I think that's a big part of it, you're familiar with the off-ice aspect of it. On ice you are more comfortable with the pace and the players strength and everything."
Derek Forbort
Perhaps a man with the most uncertain future of the Kings D prospects this offseason is Derek Forbort. Forbort gave a calm and low key interview, much like his style of play throughout the season.
Perhaps hitting on the biggest thing right off the bat,
Hoping to be back?
"Yeah. Definitely. I love playing for this organization and if I get the opportunity to keep doing that I would 100-percent love to."
Michael Amadio
Michael Amadio, a player who stepped in and became a rather pivotal cog down the stretch, also had some interesting things to say on the overall year. On if he expected to have that big a role and impact on the team right away
"No I didn't expect it, but it was nice to get in some games here and learn the culture and how to win on the ice. So it was nice.
On the biggest takeaway or surprise
"Just getting up to this level and how great all the guys were with me since I got here. It's a great culture in the room they really helped me feel comfortable and be able to play my game out there."
Amadio did not look out of place in his AHL games, mentioning that after a few games he got his confidence up "Being able to make some plays out there with the puck." All things considered, the young center had a huge year going from North Bay to the AHL playoff run, something that maybe has yet to land with him.
On how much time he is going to take to absorb the year he had
"Yea it's going to take a while obviously. It's been a great year. It was a disappointing finish here, but it was a great run back in junior with my team and with here, I can't be grateful enough."
Amadio also noted that a few of his North Bay teammates had kept tabs on him during the Ontario playoff run as well. He had "Got a couple of texts from buddies" to let him know he was being watched!
Strength and speed were mentioned as keys this offseason.
Nic Dowd
One of the leadership members and perhaps the most prominent Kings prospect at the moment, Nic Dowd, joined the media for a talk primarily aimed at his future.
He sang the same tune as many, focusing on getting bigger and stronger as an offseason goal once going home and taking a bit of a break. "A lot of hockey specific stuff on ice with the development guys that will help us get to the next level." was a quote that stood out early.
Dowd, like Gravel, also gave his thoughts on the taste of the NHL:
"Yea it was huge, obviously you don't quite know what you have in store until you get there, and it's a hard feeling to explain once you've left. It's the best league in the world and once you've went there it's the only place you want to be."
He also mentioned the inherent let down of being sent back down
"I think everyone has challenges when coming back down. I think I faced those this year but hopefully those challenges will help me in the long run."
He also briefly touched on being in the unique position of being an older guy by prospect standards (26), but still just a second year pro.
On if he ever considers his age versus where he is at
"Yea, I mean, the guys don't let me forget about it. It's just one of those things where there is nothing I can really do about it, I was a late bloomer and didn't really develop til now. I think four years of college did me great and I think these last two years of pro have got me to where I want to be so far."
Dowd was also complimentary of the cohesiveness between the Reign and the Kings mentioning he felt extremely ready to go up and what he needed to work on immediately when he came back down stating it was "An easy transition from down here to up there."
The proximity also led to a constant reminder that Dowd touched on.
How important was having the Kings staff nearby:
"Yea it's huge. Not only geographically, but I think they are just here all the time, Rob Blake is here all the time, the development guys are here all the time. It's good to see those guys around and realize we are just one step away. I think sometimes last year in Manchester it was hard to realize just how close you actually are when you are that far away."
He followed it up with,
"I think the biggest thing it's a constant reminder that they are A) always evaluating you and B) if you continue to play well you are that close which is great."
Dowd also mentioned how he embraced the role of playing other team's top units and top lines this year versus past seasons.
As far as offseason goes, Dowd is heading back to Minnesota to train. His dog Arlo will also be making the cross country car trip with him.
"Yea, that should be fun" (Sarcastic)
Justin Auger
Last of the big guys, literally and figuratively, was Justin Auger. He was a player who from start to finish may have progressed the most of any Reign player. This was something touched on by Coach Stothers, who also mentioned Kurtis MacDermid as a player making the biggest strides.
On where he progressed the most
"I think just taking on a bigger role. Being a second year pro I think you are looked upon more late in games, or if you need a goal, or keeping the puck out of the net. Just being on the ice there in the last few minutes. Being someone Stots can look to to get the job done."
in regards to his offseason work, Auger put it simply "It's just putting in the work needed to get you to where you want to be next season."
He also mentioned that it would be fun next year as he takes on an even larger role with the team with "a lot of new faces".
Auger, who is 6'9" jokingly ended his availability by saying with Matt Schmalz (6'6) and newly signed goalie Jack Flinn (6'8) around the team that there is "I think Flinner is challenging me for tallest on the team. A lot of size rolling around here now."
Overall there were a ton of players who funnelled in and out today with plenty to say on things, but the overall feeling was fairly positive from many key standpoints. More will be touched on in the future and in coming articles, but overall the key players for Ontario were almost all positive in both attitude and in terms of their developmental arc. It was all in all a good year for many key Kings prospects, and some of these guys will be pushing for the NHL in just three or four short months of this offseason.
Stay tuned for more on the Reign and the Kings in the coming weeks.
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