Kings agree to terms with Moller

The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with forward Oscar Moller, the club’s second-round selection (52nd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.  Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

Moller, 19, recently finished his second season with the Western Hockey League’s Chilliwack Bruins, recording 82 points (39-43=82) and 42 penalty minutes in 63 regular season games and three points (1-2=3) and four penalty minutes in four playoff games.

Ducks reassign Ryan to Portland

The Anaheim Ducks have reassigned right wing Bobby Ryan to the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).
 
Ryan, 21 (3/17/87), appeared in the first two games of the Western Conference Quarterfinal series vs. the Dallas Stars, going scoreless. He played in 23 games with Anaheim during the 2007-08 regular season, scoring 5-5=10 points with six penalty minutes (PIM). Selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan had three separate stints with the Ducks in 2007-08. He made his NHL debut on Sept. 29, 2007 against Los Angeles in London, England, scoring his first career goal at the 13:09 mark of the third period.

Ducks recall Levasseur

The Anaheim Ducks have recalled goaltender Jean-Philippe Levasseur from the Augusta Lynx, Anaheim’s development affiliate in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
 
Levasseur, 21 (1/15/87), made his professional hockey debut in 2007-08, appearing in 29 contests with the Lynx. He posted a 10-11-0-2 record with a 2.99 goals-against average (GAA) and .900 save percentage (SV%).  Levasseur also appeared in one postseason contest for Augusta, stopping 30-of-32 shots on April 16 at South Carolina.

Kings sign Zatkoff

The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with goaltender Jeff Zatkoff.

Zatkoff was the club’s third-round selection (74th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.  Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
 
Zatkoff, 20, recently finished his junior season with Miami University (Ohio) posting a 27-8-1 record with a 1.72 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and three shutouts.  His 1.72 goals-against average and .933 save percentage were both ranked first in the CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) and second nationally.  His 27 wins were second in the CCHA and tied for second in the nation.  Zatkoff was also named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team last month.
 

Kings' Johnston joins Canada's World Championship staff

Los Angeles Kings associate coach Mike Johnston will join Pat Burns and Craig MacTavish as assistant coaches on Canada’s coaching staff for the 2008 IIHF World Championship, Steve Yzerman – Canada’s General Manager – and the Kings announced today.  In addition, the Kings’ Darren Granger has been named Canada’s Head Equipment Manager for the World Championship. 
 
The three assistant coaches named today will join Yzerman, Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, Assistant General Managers Luc Robitaille and Doug Armstrong and Johnny Misley, Hockey Canada’s Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations, in assisting with Canada’s player evaluation and selection for the 2008 IIHF World Championship, which will be held in Canada for the first time. The World Championship is scheduled for May 2-18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City, Quebec.

Kings assign Harrold to Manchester

The Los Angeles Kings have assigned defenseman Peter Harrold to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.
 
Harrold, 24, played in 25 games for the Kings this season and recorded five points (2-3=5) and two penalty minutes.  He has also played in 49 games with the Monarchs this season and has 43 points (7-36=43) and 25 penalty minutes.  The 5-11, 195-pound Harrold is a native of Kirtland Hills, Ohio.  He was originally signed by the Kings as a free agent on April 12, 2006.

Kings assign Taylor to Reading

The Los Angeles Kings have assigned goaltender Daniel Taylor to the Reading Royals (ECHL).

Taylor, 21, played in one game for the Kings this season.  He made his NHL debut with the club in relief on March 29 at STAPLES Center, stopping 10 of 12 shots in the third period.  Taylor was the seventh goalie to see action with the Kings this season, tying an NHL record. The 1989-90 Quebec Nordiques and 2002-03 St. Louis Blues also used seven goalies in one season.

Purcell named AHL's best

Los Angeles Kings prospect Teddy Purcell, currently playing with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), was today named the AHL’s Rookie of the Year.

As voted by the AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 29 member cities, the right wing is the winner of the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie for the 2007-08 season.  He currently leads all AHL rookie forwards with 55 assists and 77 points in 64 games.

“This is a great honor for a young hockey player who continues to make great strides as a professional,” said Kings assistant GM-Monarchs GM Ron Hextall.