Another week has passed, and it’s time for another LA Kings‘ weekly prospect update. This weekly prospect update was highlighted by goaltenders Erik Portillo and Hampton Slukynsky.
Portillo made his first start for the Ontario Reign (AHL) since November 12th and stopped all 19 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season. Portillo currently has a 2.01 goals-against-average and a .922 save percentage in 10 starts for the Reign.
Back like he never left 😎 pic.twitter.com/18AsDaW8P7
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 5, 2026
Mr. Shutout & Mr. 1st Star – ERIK PORTILLOOOO!!! 🤩🌟 pic.twitter.com/Ia9d0jJXRI
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 5, 2026
What a game for #1! 👏 pic.twitter.com/VXGoveiy5Z
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 5, 2026
Slukynsky started all three games for Western Michigan University (NCAA) and allowed one goal against, and recorded back-to-back shutouts. The two shutouts were Slukynsky’s second and third of the season. He has allowed no more than two goals against in eight of his last ten starts. The 20-year-old has a 2.46 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage in 20 starts for Western Michigan.
Your 2025 @KwikTrip Holiday Face-Off award winners!
🏆 Most Outstanding Forward
— William Whitelaw🏆 Most Outstanding Defenseman
— Theo Wallberg🏆 Most Outstanding Goalie
— Hampton Slukynsky pic.twitter.com/KSgjXFexwc— Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off (@HolidayFaceoff) December 30, 2025
Pr🚫🚫f of said #NCHCTopPlay save 🔨#theNational // #BroncosReign https://t.co/QFzAEFsOL7 pic.twitter.com/MLFegyV2oP
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) January 4, 2026
Pr🚫🚫f of said #NCHCTopPlay save 🔨#theNational // #BroncosReign https://t.co/QFzAEFsOL7 pic.twitter.com/MLFegyV2oP
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) January 4, 2026
See how the rest of the prospects in the pipeline did below:
World Junior players:
- Liam Greentree: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, +/- 0, 0 SOG in one game played
- Vojtěch Čihař: 2 G, 6 A, 8 Pts, +3, 14 SOG in five games played
We’re thinking @Kelowna_Rockets fans are really gonna like @LAKings prospect Vojtech Cihar. 🤯
Czechia regains the lead after this beautiful finish. 🇨🇿 #WorldJuniors | #GoKingsGo
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 5, 2026
World Junior MVP 🏆
Vojtech Cihar dominated the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, earning Tournament MVP honours after posting 12 points (4G, 8A) and being named to the All-Star Team.
Kelowna Rockets debut coming soon! 👀#KelownaRockets | #RocketsHockey pic.twitter.com/Lm4ONtF7AS
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 6, 2026
- Brendan McMorrow: 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, +2, 4 SOG in three games played
What a shot block and assist from Brendan McMorrow #WorldJuniors@BlckHawksHockey | @DU_Hockey
pic.twitter.com/4EqLLpdNaR— USHL (@USHL) December 30, 2025
- Carter George: 8 GA, 58 saves on 66 shots faced (.879 sv%) in three games played
#OHL fans have seen this before. 👀
A big stop from Carter George as Canada pushes toward a Bronze Medal at the #WorldJuniors. 🇨🇦@CHLHockey | @AttackOHL | @LAKings pic.twitter.com/H720ZsHmsS
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 5, 2026
- Petteri Rimpinen: 20 GA, 134 saves on 154 shots faced (.870 sv%) in five games played
Anton Frondell with a SICK move in the shootout but an even BETTER save from Petteri Rimpinen 😱😵 pic.twitter.com/GX3QC35yjJ
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 5, 2026
World Juniors & OHL players:
- Jan Chovan: 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, +/- 0, 9 SOG in four games played
The @Sudbury_Wolves’ #GoKingsGo prospect Jan Chovan gets 🇸🇰 on the board! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/98oedNT7Ag
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 3, 2026
Overseas players:
- Alexander Dergachyov: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 1 SOG in one game played
- Bulat Shafigullin: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 1 SOG in one game played
NCAA players:
- Ryan Conmy: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 2 SOG in one game played
- James Reeder: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -3, 2 SOG in two games played
- Kristian Epperson: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, -2, 6 SOG in two games played
Eppy gets his 6th goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/cZ4Zw2YUBQ
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) January 3, 2026
- Caeden Herrington: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 1 SOG in one game played
- Jack Sparkes: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 0 SOG in one game played
OHL players:
- Jimmy Lombardi: 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, +1, 8 SOG in three games played
JIMMY ON THE POWER PLAY!🔥
2-0 BIRDS pic.twitter.com/8hGtLJZo8j
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) January 3, 2026
- Henry Brzustewicz: 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts, -4, 14 SOG in three games played
BRZ ON THE DOORSTEP!@LAKings | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/zVGJA5D1BV
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) December 31, 2025
- Jared Woolley: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -4, 3 SOG in three games played
WHL players:
- Will Sharpe: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -2, 9 SOG in three games played
AHL players:
- Francesco Pinelli: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, +1, 3 SOG in two games played
- Martin Chromiak: 2 G, 1 A, 3 Pts, +2, 9 SOG in four games played
JIMMY ON THE POWER PLAY!🔥
2-0 BIRDS pic.twitter.com/8hGtLJZo8j
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) January 3, 2026
CAN’T STOP CHROMIEEEEE!! pic.twitter.com/LPZVzxJLIJ
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 5, 2026
- Aatu Jamsen: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 0 SOG in one game played
- Andre Lee: 3 G, 0 A, 3 Pts, -1, 11 SOG in four games played
26 SCORES WITH 25 SECONDS LEFT!🤯
2-2 pic.twitter.com/8TdGHSKPQH
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) December 31, 2025
DRE MAKES IT EVEN!! 😤
1-1 pic.twitter.com/4wCmfSLDPy
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 4, 2026
DRE GETS IN ON THE ACTION!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/L3t8dHqedC
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 5, 2026
- Koehn Ziemmer: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -1, 1 SOG in three games played
- Kenny Connors: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, -1, 10 SOG in four games played
KIRILLLLLL!!! 🤩
3-2 ONT pic.twitter.com/AsgI4iXn4m
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 4, 2026
- Jared Wright: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 3 SOG in four games played
- Jack Hughes: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, +/- 0, 2 SOG in four games played
- Kaleb Lawrence: DID NOT PLAY (HEALTHY SCRATCH/INJURY)
- Angus Booth: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +1, 5 SOG in four games played
- Otto Salin: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 8 SOG in four games played
- Kirill Kirsanov: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, +1, 3 SOG in four games played
KIRILLLLLL!!! 🤩
3-2 ONT pic.twitter.com/AsgI4iXn4m
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 4, 2026
- Jakub Dvořák: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -3, 1 SOG in four games played
Featured image credit: Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images