Kyle Garcia 
With training camp right around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next, Helge Grans!
Helge Grans
Biography
Birthdate: May 10, 2002
Birthplace: Ljungby, Sweden
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2nd round, 35th overall, 2020 NHL Entry Draft
2021-2022 Season
Last season was Grans’ first professional season in North America after spending the prior six seasons overseas. To start the 2021-22 campaign, Grans wasn’t an everyday regular in the lineup for the Reign as he and Jordan Spence rotated in and out of the lineup for a few games. After getting a permanent spot in the lineup, Grans quietly put together a good season in Ontario. While Spence was gaining headlines, Grans had seven goals, 17 assists, and 24 points in 56 games.
Helge Grans (@ontarioreign) nets one from out front with his 7th of the season in #BAKvsONT. pic.twitter.com/sJc8Il6MY1
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 19, 2022
One stat that caught my attention was how many penalties Grans took this season. The 6’3″ defenseman only took four penalties (you read that correctly) throughout the whole season and zero in the playoffs. A very quiet solid season for the first-year Swede.
2022-2023 Outlook
With Jordan Spence likely starting the year in Ontario, Grans will go back to the second defense pair and probably the second power-play unit. While still needing more time to develop, I expect Grans to spend the whole season in Ontario again. He is only a 20-year-old entering his second season in North America, so there’s no need to rush him.
While Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence, and Sean Durzi steal the spotlight from the crop of right-handed defensemen in the pipeline, don’t forget about Helge Grans. Out of all of those right-handed defensemen, Grans has the potential to be the best all-around defenseman. For this coming season, Grans will be a name that Kings fans will be talking about and not lost in the shuffle like last year.
Main photo credit: Ontario Reign