Ontario Reign 2017/2018

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I wanted to add a few more notes from last night:

Someone asked about scouting local players. He added they are scouting everywhere, and So Cal is getting more recognizable players than ever before. He noted you can't just take a player based upon where they are from (obvious, he was talking to another fan) and noted he got booed by a lot of locals when he passed over Etem in 2010 and took Forbort. Also said they were very interested in a local kid (Jake McGrew) who played for the Kings Jr team and had a lot of character but suffered a serious injury and was drafted this year by the Sharks despite playing only a couple games in the WHL. Futa talked a lot about the work ethic and character of MacDermid and couldn't stop raving about what he has accomplished in the last 3 years. Said he could be someone who could be on the ONT rotation depending on opponents and schedule. He also added that Gravel had a serious illness over the summer and that set him back substantially at camp, needed to come to ONT and get his strength back (that was a surprise). Futa said you don't win anything for come in first for CORSI, and that will not be the focus of the organization. A couple of funny notes, Stoll was pretty entertaining and well spoken, someone asked about nicknames and how players get them, and of course if you let it be known you don't like it your stuck with it forever. A fan (not a very bright one) asked Stuts what he is doing to improve the power play, and I thought the fan's safety was going to be in peril for a few moments. I could have spent hours talking to Mike. He was very gracious and forthcoming, took ownership of his part of the organizational failure the last few years. I hope the Reign continue to allow us this opportunity.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Dude you are a saint, thank you.

That Gravel note is absolutely crucial, too.

 

[King'sPawn]

That explains Gravel's regression. No wonder he looked so disappointing.

 

[HookKing]

Nice writeup, thanks. Ditto on Gravel, glad to know it isn't a character issue.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Joey Zakrzewski‏ @ReignInsider wrote;

Study up! Game notes ahead of tomorrow's @ontarioreign showdown vs. @Condors at @CBBankArena

http://www.ontarioreign.com/assets/doc/Game-Notes-10.19-vs-BAK-8436cd47b6.pdf

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Ontario Reign‏@ontarioreign wrote:

News: Forward's Matt Marcinew & Matt Schmalz have been loaned to the @MonarchsHockey

 

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And now we are 0-4 after falling in the home opener 2-0 to the Condors. Reign have only scored 3 goals in 4 games.

 

[King'sPawn]

And now we are 0-4 after falling in the home opener 2-0 to the Condors. Reign have only scored 3 goals in 4 games.

Brutal.

While the Reign doesn't have any superstars, they do have a better team than that.

 

[damacles1156]

Bad start,

The Reign have a young team so this was expected(sort of ). Mike Stothers is right in that we need be patient with this group.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Gonna take a while for it to come together

 

[BallPointHammer]

A few good bounces and some confidence will get things going. Get that first win and exhale.

 

[damacles1156]

Hopefully Brodzinski gets his confidence and game back, that would go along way in helping the Reign out with scoring.

 

[Basilisk]

With the Kings expecting back all of Gaborik, Clifford, and Carter (probably in that order, too), there's an almost 100% chance that Dowd and/or Andreoff/Auger will be sent down to the Reign (whether or not they get there, that's another story!). Anyway, the Reign should expect reinforcements to bolster their ranks in the next few weeks.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Joey Zakrzewski‏ @ReignInsider on October 21st wrote;

That's the game: ONT falls to BAK 3-1. Drops to 0-5-0 to start season.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Postgame Video: Reign Moving in Right Direction

Joey Zakrzewski October 21, 2017 wrote;

Ontario Reign
Defenseman Paul LaDue’s goal with 1:55 left in the contest proved to be the only tally for the Ontario Reign over a two-game weekend series against the Bakersfield Condors. After a 2-0 victory last night, the Condors found the back of the net in each of the three periods tonight en route to a 3-1 decision at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Despite the loss, the Reign fired 36 shots on goaltender Nick Ellis and generated numerous offensive opportunities throughout the contest. In fact, for the second-straight night, the Reign rifled a season-high 17 shots on goal in the first period. Head Coach Mike Stothers and defenseman Paul LaDue like the direction the team is heading with a week of practice looming before a quick trip to Cleveland on Friday and Saturday for dates against the Cleveland Monsters.

Post game video from Stothers;

 

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Joey Zakrzewski‏ @ReignInsider on October 21st wrote;

That's the game: ONT falls to BAK 3-1. Drops to 0-5-0 to start season.

Reign were competitive both games against BAK. BAK is noticeably faster. We outshot them, couldn't bury our chances against a hot goalie (Ellis) who played both games. Turnovers in our own zone are killing us. The first goal was the result of a nice touch pass coming out of the zone by Watson to Crescenzi who either wasn't expecting it or missed it, causing a prolonged push in our zone that resulted in a goal. The 2nd goal was a bad pinch by LaDue (he was on the wrong side of the puck/player), resulted in a 3 on 2 rush goal scored on a rebound. 3rd goal against was an empty netter. Reign made a nice push at the end with the goalie pulled and LaDue scored. Had multiple chances for the tying goal but couldn't pull it off. Maillet and Brodzinski had several good looks during the game (Brodz hit the crossbar), but no joy. Leslie was not dressed. Hope that trend continues. Our development D (Leslie, Lintuniemi) that have been around a couple of years are struggling. Roy and Falkovsky have had their issues too. We don't have any AHL vets on D like last year with LoVerde and Schilling, which helped stabilize the team. Gravel-LaDue playing a lot of minutes and look good overall. Gravel is getting his mojo back, looked better the 2nd game. Some of our forwards are really struggling. Hensick is a big part of the team and was dropped to the lower lines. New guys Luff, Watson and Imama not providing much of any offense. Devane really was a waste of a signing. Crescenzi playing poorly. Last year the team struggled early on to score, and then Purcell joined the team. His clever passing really changed the whole team's offense, and he worked really well with Hensick. Say what you want about Purcell, but he is still a skilled hockey player.

 

[damacles1156]

Reign struggling really badly in their own zone, it's causing the offense to sputter.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

OntarioReign.com wrote;

Ontario Reign at Cleveland Monsters

Friday, October 27
4:00 p.m. PT
Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Listen Live: Reign Radio, Reign Facebook
Watch Live: AHL Live
Preview: First of four meetings, First-ever regular-season meeting, rematch of 2016 Western Conference Finals (Cleveland prevailed 4-0 in the series)
Ontario Reign at Cleveland Monsters

Saturday, October 28
10:00 a.m. PT
Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Listen Live: Reign Radio, Reign Facebook
Watch Live: AHL Live

 

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7 PM game followed by 1 PM the next day. Only in the AHL . Brutal.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

by LA Kings @LAKings / LAKings.com
7:58 AM

The LA Kings have recalled forward Michael Amadio from the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, Kings Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake announced today.
Forward Justin Auger has been assigned to the Reign.
The 21-year-old Amadio (born May 13, 1996) is a 6-1, 204-pound native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario who has appeared in five games games this season for Ontario, recording two points (0-2=2). He leads the team in assists and ranks tied for first in points. This marks his first career NHL recall.
Selected in the third-round (90th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Amadio has appeared in 73 career AHL games with Ontario, posting 43 points (16-27=43), a plus-5 rating and four penalty minutes.
Before starting his professional career with the Reign last season, he appeared in four season with the North Bay Battalion (OHL; Brampton Battalion his first season there) where he registered 226 points (92-134=226), a plus-72 rating and 80 penalty minutes in 263 games. His final season with North Bay he served as the team captain and posted a team-high 50 goals (fourth most in the league) and a team-high 98 points (ninth most in the league).
Justin Auger appeared in two games during his first NHL recall, going scoreless. His NHL debut came on Oct. 18 vs. Montreal.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Joey Zakrzewski @ReignInsider October 24, 2017 wrote;

The Ontario Reign took the ice at Ontario Center Ice Arena with new training tools and adjusted regimen .....

Still searching for the first win of the season after the first five games and a rematch of the 2016 Western Conference Finals ahead on Friday and Saturday against the Cleveland Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena, it was time to “mix it up” and reward proper execution.
“Well…we went with a shorter practice today Jay,” mentioned Stothers. “Because we actually made it through practice with some execution. So…that’s something we talked about. Practices get shorter if we execute properly and we actually get through the drills like we have in past seasons. If we have to keep stopping and addressing issues, then practice tends to get a little longer. It’s AMAZING how you can knock 15 minutes off of practice. Hopefully it carries into the game.”
Now…no disrespect to the professional process, but doesn’t that seems like a return to a youth hockey process and a supreme example of returning to basics?
“It’s always been that way,” Stothers said. “You can only have their attention for so long. As you mentioned with kids, their minds start to wander. The game is an hour. 60 minutes. You have to play at pace for 60 minutes. You should be able to practice with pace for 60 minutes. If you’re going longer, it means you’re probably not doing the details and you cannot let it slide. Taking into consideration that we have some newer guys and still adjusting, you can accept it, but at some point you have to address it. It’s going on late October and we’ve been going since September. Early September for the rookies so…you know what…lets just focus and dial in.
With that said…here is how the Reign dressed today:
White: Mersch, Hensick, Walker
Grey: Devane, Crescenzi, Iverson, Imama
Purple: Amadio, Brodzinski, Sutter
Orange: Maillet, Luff, Herr
Black: Gravel, LaDue, Falkovsky, Walker, Leslie, Lintuniemi, Roy
Goalies: Campbell, Petersen, Zatkoff

 

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Maillet likely moves up to the Brodzinski line in place of Amadio, or Auger plugs in and Sutter moves to center. Still going to be tough to score. Defense needs to pitch in on the scoring.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Captain Brett Sutter Adopts “Modern” Leadership Role with Reign

Joey Zakrzewski @ReignInsider wrote;
October 25, 20172

Ontario Reign
Forward and Ontario Reign team captain Brett Sutter finds himself in a little unfamiliar territory.
Officially chosen to wear the “C” on October 5, Sutter is in his 11th professional season and has previously served as team captain of the Charlotte Checkers from 2011-14 and wore an alternate captain’s “A” with Iowa for two seasons (2014-16).
“Team building” during a tough rut has taken on a new meaning for the experienced center. With the Reign looking to shake off an 0-5-0-0 start to the season, he is searching for new ways to connect with his younger teammates.
ORI: It seems like gone are the “old school” days of going to bowling alley, eating chicken wings and enjoying a pitcher of (beverage) to work out any kinks or differences to build team chemistry. How do you do it in 2017?
Sutter: I think this early in the year, a lot of guys are still getting to know each other and away from the rink, still trying to get to know each other on a personal level. I think you try to spend as much time together as possible. You see each other in a business environment and it’s serious, but I think you try and get together away from the rink if it’s going for a (beverage) or lunch and create that bond and brotherhood. Then, when you start coming to the rink, you go to war together. It makes it fun and creates that unity and we are getting there now. It’s still early in the year so, there will be opportunities.
ORI: When everyone has different distractions, how do you get everyone on the same page? Show up at this trail head or at this alley at X time?
Sutter: That’s exactly it. I think…not just me, but all the older guys, take bull by the horns and organize something. Everyone has been great and jumping on board and even after games last weekend, we were down on our luck, but we came together and had a great week of practice. I think whenever you can get away from the game and focus on being a team and separate yourself from everything else going on, it’s good for the environment.
ORI: From your family to personal history in a leadership role, what has been the evolution of the “captain role” and what have you had to adapt to the most to accommodate the younger players?
Sutter: I think that’s just it. When you’re a younger guy and you’re a captain, you have a lot more to relate to them, but as you get older, you keep getting older and the kids stay the same age. You cannot really change who you are. Hopefully your example sets the right one. We have great kids on our team. As the wins come, the job gets easier. We will be alright.
ORI: Does that mean late at night Brett Sutter is putting on a head set and playing “Call of Duty” to connect with the younger guys?
Sutter: You know what? We had a laugh today. All the guys were talking about playing video games and I was playing “house” with my kids at home, so we are not quite on the same level. They were talking about MLB..2K..17…or something and I was playing “magic carpet” on my daughter’s blanket so, we are at a different level in life, but they keep me young.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Reign Visit Monsters in Rematch of 2016 Western Conference Finals Rematch

Ontario Reign @ontarioreign wrote;
Oct 27, 2017
Ontario, CA – The Ontario Reign, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), visit the Cleveland Monsters tonight at 4:00 p.m. PT. Tonight is the first of four meetings between the two clubs this season.
2016 Rematch:
Tonight’s matchup is the first time the Reign and Monsters have seen each other since the 2016 Western Conference Finals when the Monsters prevailed 4-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Ontario 1 @ Lake Erie 2 (May 26 2016) Final 2OT
Ontario 0 @ Lake Erie 4 (May 24 2016) Final
Lake Erie 3 @ Ontario 2 (May 22 2016) Final
Lake Erie 4 @ Ontario 3 (May 21 2016) Final

Leslie Hits 100:
Ontario Reign defenseman Zac Leslie looks to skate in his 100th AHL contest tonight. Through 99 games, the Ottawa, Ontario, native has five goals and 23 assists for 28 points.
Hensick Homecoming:
Reign veteran forward T.J. Hensick skated with the Monsters from 2007-10 including his rookie campaign out of the University of Michigan. The Howell, Michigan, native skated in 120 games with the Monsters scoring 131 points (39 goals, 92 assists) and registered a career season in 2009-10 with 70 points (20 goals, 50 assists) in 58 games. He later tied that points mark with Peoria during the 2011-12 season.
Snap the Skid:
The Reign look to snap a five-game losing streak tonight, the longest in their AHL-Reign history.
Scouting the Monsters:
Cleveland currently sits fourth in the Central Division with a 2-2-1-0 record. Rookie goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks is 11th in the AHL with a 1.96 goals-against average and forward Tyler Motte leads the team with three points (one goal, two assists). For Motte, all three points came against San Jose on Oct. 21.
Familiar Face:
Former Reign forward Miles Koules currently skates with the Monsters and has a goal and an assist in four games. Koules skated in two games with the Reign last season.
Upcoming Milestones:
Head Coach Mike Stothers is three games from coaching his 300th contest as a professional. Forward Brett Sutter is seven games away from his 800th pro contest and two points away from 300 as a professional.
Broadcast Central
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com
Twitter: @OntarioReign
Facebook: OntarioReign
Game Notes

The Ontario Reign continue a two-game series against the Cleveland Monsters tomorrow, Saturday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Quicken Loans Arena return home on Wednesday, November 1 against the San Jose Barracuda at 7:00 p.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Scoop with Stutts: Stothers Drops F-Bomb Filled Speech Ahead of Cleveland Contest

Joey Zakrzewski @ReignInsider wrote;

October 27, 2017
Ontario Reign
The Ontario Reign look to snap a season-opening five-game winless skid tonight as they square off against the Cleveland Monsters at 4:00 p.m. PT at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Head Coach Mike Stothers gave the group a spirited message after morning skate: Have FUN!


Former Monster and current Reign forward T.J. Hensick also reviewed the week of practice and the details of tonight’s game plan vs. Cleveland.


Tune in to the play-by-play broadcast on Facebook at Facebook.com/OntarioReign and follow along with the Reign Insider in tonight’s Live Blog and on Twitter (@ReignInsider).