LA Kings prospect Alex Turcotte sidelined by emergency surgery

The LA Kings first-round pick in 2019 left this season’s development camp after only one day.

The mystery is over.

By all accounts, Alex Turcotte looked really good during the first day of this season’s LA Kings Development Camp. When he was not on the ice for the second day of camp, however, it was a big surprise to many who had watched, as he did not appear to get injured during the course of the day. Today, the LA Kings Public Relations Department clarified why Turcotte has been missing.

Forward Alex Turcotte had successful surgery for acute appendicitis and is expected to be ready for the start of Rookie Camp on Sept. 16 here at @ToyotaSportsCtr.

— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) August 26, 2021

Turcotte, the highly touted prospect who played last season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, is a natural center but wound up playing left wing toward the end of the season. After finishing his freshman season at the University of Wisconsin under the tutelage of coach Tony Granato, Turcotte left the Badgers to turn professional and subsequently joined the Reign. Injuries contributed to a slow start to his first pro season, but once he overcame those injuries, he was fantastic toward the end of the season. In 32 games played for Ontario, he finished with six goals and 15 assists — with most of those totals coming in the final couple of weeks of the regular season.

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As noted by the LA Kings PR tweet, Turcotte should be ready to play in the team’s rookie camp in September. Although he is a long shot to start the season in Los Angeles, the 21-year-old native of Elk Grove, Illinois, is expected to play a major role for the Ontario Reign this season. If all goes well, we can expect to see Turcotte playing for the Kings at some point this season. Once in Los Angeles, hopefully, he will be there to stay.

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