Los Angeles Kings goaltending prospect Hampton Slukynsky may be the prospect to watch this upcoming season. He has been turning heads for years but has recently become an elite-level goaltender. His accomplishments in his young career are more than others have accomplished. Los Angeles knows that he still is a few years away from being mentioned as a possible number one goaltender in the NHL. However, his stock has risen immensely and he is on the radar.
Slukynsky was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL draft by the Kings. he then spent that season with the Fargo force of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He went on to sport a record of 28-3, with a goals-against average of 1.86 and a save percentage of .923 and five shutouts. Elite numbers for a young goaltender.
He would then make his debut in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) this season with the Western Michigan Broncos. He posted a record of 19-5-1 with a GAA of 1.90 and a save percentage of .922 and one shutout. Slukynsky can also call himself a champion after winning the National Championship with the Broncos.
Below is the list of accomplishments for Slukynsky over the past three seasons:
2022-23: U18 WJC Gold Medal (WJC) USHS-MN All-Tournament Team (USHS-MN) Frank Brimsek Award (Best Goalie in Minnesota)
2023-24: WJAC -19 Bronze Medal WJAC-19 Best GAA USHL Clark Cup Champion USHL Best GAA, USHL Best SV% USHL Goaltender of the Year Dave Peterson USA Goalie of the Year
2024-25: U20 WJC Gold Medal NCHC Champion NCHC regular-season champion NCHC All-Rookie Team NCHC All-Second Team NCHC GAA Champion (GAA against NCHC teams) NCAA National Title (Frozen Four)
He has quite the resume so far and he has not reached the peak of his career yet. While he is having success with the Broncos of the NCHC, one has to wonder when he will make his American Hockey League (AHL) debut with the Ontario Reign. His NHL debut may still be a few years away, but he is closer than he was last season. Could he be the goaltender to spend his entire career with Los Angeles and win multiple Stanley Cups? Time will tell but he is off to a tremendous start to his career.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Jack Jablonski)
The post Kings prospect Slukynsky raising eyebrows with resume appeared first on Los Angeles Sports Nation.