Another week has passed, and it’s time for another LA Kings‘ weekly prospect update. This weekly update was highlighted by forward Kristian Epperson. Epperson, 19 and drafted by the Kings this past summer, scored the game-winning goal for Denver University (NCAA) in the NCHC’s Frozen Faceoff championship game against Minnesota Duluth.
After not playing for the last two weeks, Denver’s Head Coach, David Carle, inserted Epperson into the lineup as the extra forward. Extra forwards don’t get much ice time, but with the game requiring double overtime, Epperson made use of his ice time.
The forward snuck by two Minnesota Duluth skaters in the slot and received the puck on the far side, scoring the game-winner to secure Denver’s record-setting fourth Frozen Faceoff championship. Epperson’s only shot on goal was that chance, and he made it count.
KRISITAN EPPERSON’S GAME WINNER!#GoPios #DUHockey pic.twitter.com/wEAIEvf0pR
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 22, 2026
A 100% success rate for Kristian Epperson. #GoPios pic.twitter.com/w5IH53oFBI
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 22, 2026
For a record-setting 4th time, @DU_Hockey are the #FrozenFaceoff CHAMPIONS! 🏆
Congratulations to the @DU_Pioneers on winning the 2026 NCHC National Cup! 🙌#theNational // #GoPios pic.twitter.com/2RQNQuwqNU
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 22, 2026
Epperson, along with fellow Kings prospects Brendan McMorrow and James Reeder, will look to help Denver capture their 11th NCAA championship in team history. First, they start their Regional Semifinals play against Cornell this Friday in Loveland, Colorado.
Another trophy won.
Time to go for the big one!#GoPios pic.twitter.com/j7aWvOij4c
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 22, 2026
Here is how the rest of the prospects in the pipeline fared during the week:
Overseas players:
- Alexander Dergachyov: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 2 SOG in two games played
- Bulat Shafigullin: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -1, 4 SOG in two games played
- Petteri Rimpinen: 6 GA, 74 saves on 80 shots (.925 sv%) in three games played (ONE REGULAR SEASON GAME & TWO PLAYOFF GAMES)
Pari nollaa saatiin myös tälle päätöskierrokselle! 💪🚫#Liiga pic.twitter.com/uqB2rphsCu
— Liiga (@smliiga) March 17, 2026
NCAA players
- Ryan Conmy: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, +/- 0, 3 SOG in one game played
What a rocket 🚀
📺 NESN+ pic.twitter.com/9WJ1v08lAk
— BC Men’s Hockey (@BC_MHockey) March 21, 2026
- James Reeder: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pt, +1, 2 SOG in one game played
- Brendan McMorrow: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, +1, 0 SOG in one game played
- Caeden Herrington: NO GAMES PLAYED (SEASON OVER)
- Jack Sparkes: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 0 SOG in one game played
- Hampton Slukynsky: NO GAMES PLAYED (NO GAMES SCHEDULED)
Another year, another No. 1 seed! See you in Loveland, Bronco fans! #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/rpebafZjqz
— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 22, 2026
OHL players:
- Jimmy Lombardi: 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, -4, 6 SOG in three games played
🚨Jimmy Lombardi
🍏Nathan Aspinall
🍏Kevin He pic.twitter.com/5Gk99Vjec3— x – Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) March 21, 2026
- Jan Chovan: 2 G, 1 A, 3 Pts, +2, 3 SOG in two games played
Jan Chovan gets his 28th of the season with a beauty backhand!@OHLHockey | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/JYNcQzJLxZ
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) March 21, 2026
Jan Chovan gets the shootout game winner! @OHLHockey | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/1fKPUeniYE
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) March 21, 2026
- Henry Brzustewicz: 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts, +1, 8 SOG in three games played
HENNY! pic.twitter.com/JgmDLwfvbY
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) March 22, 2026
- Jared Woolley: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -1, 3 SOG in two games played
- Carter George: 9 GA, 50 saves on 59 shots (.847 sv%) in three games played
WHL players:
- Vojtěch Čihař: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, -2, 5 SOG in two games played
⚠️MOTION DETECTED ⚠️
Tij Iginla (@utahmammoth) dishes a BEAUTIFUL pass to Vojtěch Čihař (@LAKings) for the Rockets first goal of the game!@Kelowna_Rockets pic.twitter.com/nUKu0XLdra
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 21, 2026
- Will Sharpe: 0 G, 2 A, 2 Pts, +2, 3 SOG in two games played
AHL players:
- Francesco Pinelli: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, +1, 5 SOG in three games played
BROWN ON THE BOARD! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dBZWXOQz4d
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) March 21, 2026
- Martin Chromiak: 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, +/- 0, 6 SOG in three games played
🆙 ☝️ THNX TO CHROMIEEE!! pic.twitter.com/3naiB5L0kC
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) March 22, 2026
- Aatu Jamsen: NO GAMES PLAYED (INJURY/HEALTHY SCRATCH)
- Andre Lee: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, +1, 4 SOG in three games played
DRE SEALS THE DEAL‼️ pic.twitter.com/qtovAsSSk9
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) March 22, 2026
- Kenny Connors: 2 G, 0 A, 2 Pts, +2, 6 SOG in three games played
NO BLADE, NO PROBLEM FOR KENNY CONNORS😱@OntarioReign | #ABBvsONT pic.twitter.com/LJWBT4Orh6
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 19, 2026
CONNORS WITH THE EN!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/o69ehUTKbX
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) March 19, 2026
- Koehn Ziemmer: 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, +1, 8 SOG in three games played
Must have had a good teacher, Z read that one like a good book 📚 #ReignTrain I #ABBvsONT pic.twitter.com/dQB7pTQ51U
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) March 19, 2026
- Jack Hughes: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -1, 0 SOG in two games played
- Kaleb Lawrence: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 1 SOG in two games played (ON LOAN WITH ROCHESTER AMERICANS)
- Otto Salin: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 0 SOG in one game played
- Angus Booth: 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, +/- 0, 3 SOG in three games played
- Kirill Kirsanov: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 4 SOG in three games played
- Jakub Dvořák: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, +/- 0, 1 SOG in two games played
- Erik Portillo: 3 GA, 22 saves on 25 shots on goal (.880 sv%) in one game played
NHL players:
- Jared Wright: 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, -2, 7 SOG in four games played
Featured image credit: Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post