The Kings' development camp is buzzing with talent this year, showcasing a roster of promising young players eager to make their mark in the hockey world. Let's dive into the profiles of these up-and-coming stars and see what they bring to the ice.
First up, we have Hermansson, the 18-year-old dynamo selected 19th overall in this year’s draft. Hermansson spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with MoDo Hockey in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan, where he tallied 11 goals and 21 points in 38 games.
His +9 rating and 22 penalty minutes underscore his all-around play. Hermansson also made a splash in the U20 Nationell, Sweden’s top junior league, with nine points in 13 games.
Internationally, he shone brightly at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, leading the tournament with 12 points and bringing home a gold medal. His standout performance earned him a spot on the All-Star Team and the Best Forward accolade.
Next is Brzustewicz, a 19-year-old defenseman picked 31st overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. He’s back for his second development camp, coming off a stellar season with the London Knights in the OHL.
Brzustewicz led his team with 54 points in 59 games, excelling in power-play situations with nine goals. His 231 shots led all OHL blueliners, showcasing his offensive prowess.
After the OHL playoffs, he made his pro debut with the Ontario Reign in the AHL, gaining valuable experience in both regular-season and Calder Cup Playoff games.
Lombardi, also 19, was a fourth-round pick (125th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft. He’s coming off a breakout season with the Flint Firebirds, setting personal bests in several categories, including 36 goals and 72 points in 65 games.
His scoring touch was evident as he led Flint in goals and was second in points. In the playoffs, he added 10 points in eight games, further cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.
Čihař, another 19-year-old, is making waves after being selected 59th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. He split his season between Karlovy Vary HC in Czech Extraliga and the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, where he amassed 31 points in 31 games.
His postseason performance was equally impressive, with 13 points in nine games. At the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, Čihař led his team with 12 points, earning a silver medal and the tournament MVP title.
Woolley, 20, is attending his third development camp after a career-best 36-point season split between the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers. His playoff contributions helped guide the Rangers to an OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup victory, marking his second consecutive Memorial Cup win.
Slukynsky, also 20, is fresh off a standout sophomore season at Western Michigan University. He led the NCAA with 27 wins, posting a 2.30 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
His consistent performance earned him several accolades, including NCHC Second All-Star Team honors. Slukynsky also made his AHL debut with Ontario, impressing with a 1.00 GAA and .957 save percentage in his first two games.
Finally, George, 21, returns for his third camp after splitting his season between the Owen Sound Attack and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL. His solid goaltending helped him earn a spot on Team Canada for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he played a key role in securing a bronze medal.
The Kings’ development camp is a four-day event packed with practices and scrimmages, led by a seasoned player development staff and guest coaches from top collegiate programs. It's a golden opportunity for these young prospects to hone their skills and make a lasting impression. Keep an eye on these players as they continue to develop and push towards their NHL dreams.
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Nikishin is still unsigned as a pending restricted free agent, which means any move would require both a trade package and a fresh contract on top of it. Carolina is unlikely to let a player with his upside go cheaply, but the fit is easy to see from the Kings side, especially with the need for a long-term answer on defense still sitting near the top of the list. [Read more 🡒]