LA Kings Prospect Report, 10/21

We are back with another season of hockey! With that means it's time to bring back the prospect report. The definition of an NHL prospect is different depending on who you ask, but it must be noted that the Kings future is bright with the amount of youth within the organization. Currently, the Kings and Reign have a combined 17 rostered players at 22 years old or younger. Among them, we recognize notable performances and storylines.

Most notably, Clarke has found himself on the ice late in games, at times paired with Drew Doughty when down a goal late in the game. Clarke contributed on the game-tying goal in Nashville on Tuesday, playing inside four minutes to play at 4-on-4.
With now five games played for Clarke in a Kings jersey this season, the biggest decision regarding Clarke's future will come after the OHL product plays his ninth game with the big club. As a product out of the Canadian Junior Leagues (CHL), Clarke is not allowed to go to the AHL this season. After that ninth game in the NHL, Clarke will either stay with the Kings for what would likely be the remainder of the season and officially begin the first year of his three-year entry-level contract. If the Kings sent Clarke back to the Barrie Colts of the OHL (where he played last season), Clarke's contract would not begin until the 2023-24 season.

Jordan Spence (Ontario Reign, AHL)

The AHL 2021-22 First-Team All-Star has continued his domination with the Reign. Prior to Spence's call-up to the Kings last season, Spence notched 42 points (4-38=42) in 46 games with the Reign. Thus far, Spence has totaled four assists (0-4=4) in three games. His four assists rank second in the AHL among defenseman. Spence ranks second on the Reign among all skaters in assists and points, trailing only the two-time league MVP, T.J. Tynan.

Samuel Fagemo (Ontario Reign, AHL)

Another prospect that pushed for a spot on the Kings roster in training camp was 2019 second-round pick Samuel Fagemo. Fagemo, who possesses threatening offensive capabilities, has displayed that through the first three games of the season with the Reign. Simliarly to Spence, Fagemo also ranks second in the AHL in a major scoring category - this one, goals - with three from three games played.

Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

The Kitchener Rangers captain and LA Kings second-round pick in 2021 has had an up-and-down start to the OHL season due to circumstances out of his control. Despite a good start on the ice with five points (3-2-5) in five games, Pinelli has missed time, including one game due to an illness. The versatile forward has shown progress and growth at Kings training camp in September and October. As he progresses past his illness, look for Pinelli to find his stride!

Aatu Jamsen (Pelicans, Liiga)

A seventh-round selection of the Kings in 2020, we got our first glimpse of Jamsen during the 2022 Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, when Jamsen impressed alongside several top prospects within the organization. Jamsen has begun his season playing professionally in Finland, where he's scored in two of his last three games and has four points (2-2-4) from six games played on the season. As a 20-year-old playing in a men's league, a good start to the season for Jamsen.