Helenius to work on building strength, power for Kings

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Samuel Helenius learned size has multiple meanings during his first full season playing professional hockey in North America.

Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (No. 59) of the 2021 NHL Draft, the 20-year-old center prospect is not lacking for height at 6-foot-6. But even at 215 pounds, Helenius wasn't expecting the stout nature of play last season with Ontario of the American Hockey League.

"[It taught me] how to play in North America," Helenius said during Kings development camp last month. "The rink is smaller (than in Europe), and there is so much physicality. Yeah, that's maybe the biggest (difference)."

Mike Donnelly of the Kings' player development department said the grinding nature of the AHL can serve as an effective teaching environment for young players like Helenius, who had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 61 games last season, his second in North America after arriving from his native Finland in 2021.

"The American Hockey League, I mean, there's some grown men in that league," Donnelly said. "That AHL, it's a hard league, and it's a learning experience for those boys."

Helenius was able to highlight certain aspects of his game last season, notably on defense. Jarret Stoll, who played center in the NHL for 13 seasons and won the Stanley Cup with Los Angeles in 2012 and 2014, said he liked how Helenius used his length as a penalty killer.

"He can think the game defensively, he's good defensively," said Stoll, who now works in player development for the Kings. "So, there's some things for Sammy to work on, but he's well on his way."

Adding more mass to his frame will be among Helenius' top assignments. Listed at 219 pounds for development camp, roughly five pounds more than his playing weight in Ontario, he still looks lanky on the ice.

Building power is a process that will not be instantaneous. But with a strong crop of centers already at the NHL level, Los Angeles has time for him to grow.

Coming off a season when he had 74 points (28 goals, 46 points) in 82 games and won his second Lady Byng Trophy, voted as the top defensive forward in the NHL, Kings captain Anze Kopitar signed a two-year contract July 6.

Pierre-Luc Dubois signed an eight-year contract after being acquired in a trade from the Winnipeg Jets on June 27, giving Los Angeles a likely replacement for Kopitar, 35, as its No. 1 center.

Phillip Danault, signed through 2026-27, has elevated his offensive game with 105 points (45 goals, 60 assists) in 161 games over the past two seasons with the Kings while maintaining his tenacious defense.

With those three, along with Blake Lizotte as a proven bottom-six option and Quinton Byfield, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, still targeted as a future contributor at center, the Kings should be on a timeline that can allow Helenius to focus on getting stronger.

"He's a guy that two, three years time I believe can play at the NHL level," Stoll said. "Build that strength, needs a little more power in his game."