Hockey Royalty: The 2025-26 season has come to an end

Dear Kings/Reign/Hockey/Hockey Royalty fans,

Well, my fifth year of following the Ontario Reign – third one as a member of the media – is officially in the books. It’s not the way I envisioned it ending, but after sitting on it for over 24 hours, here I am putting words to paper.

This season had plenty of ups and some downs for the Reign, who completed their 11th AHL season and 18th season overall if you count their ECHL days. A roster that was made up of at least 10 players in their first or second season as a pro – or those in their first or second season as a pro in North America – and led by players who have AHL experience in Glenn Gawdin, Cole Guttman, Logan Brown, Jacob Doty, Joe Hicketts, Pheonix Copley, and the prospects who have been around for three seasons-plus, Ontario captured the Pacific Division title with a 3-2 overtime win in Coachella Valley courtesy of Gawdin.

It marked the second time the Reign captured the division title since their inception into the AHL (2015-16). Then, hopes of a long playoff run that would give some of their prospects experience were dashed with a winner-take-all double overtime loss on home ice in Game 5.

Even though it wasn’t Ontario’s best performance, tying the game late and having a chance to win it in overtime, the dueling “Go Reign Go!” and “Let’s Go Firebirds!” chants, and the tension mounting from the fans in the arena late in the third period and overtime sessions knowing any shot toward the net could be the one to end the series is something I will always remember. That moment topped Andre Lee’s opening night tally and Doty’s fight with Montana Oneybuchi ensuing after the goal.

For me, it was an honor to follow the Reign again and provide weekly prospect updates for the fifth straight year, whether at the games or remotely. Although I received a few thank yous from some individuals, it wouldn’t be right for me not to give a handful of my own.

First, I want to thank the Reign broadcast team, Cam McGuire and Paige Capistran, for being great at answering any questions I had. Also, thank you, Cam, for dealing with and taking the time to set up all the interview requests as well.

To the Hockey Royalty team, thank you for taking a chance on me in 2022 and putting up with me daily. I look forward to seeing the HR fanbase continue to grow. To my family, friends, and fans who followed along, thank you for your support all season long. It means a lot to me.

Finally, thank you to Zach Dooley for allowing me to have a chance to contribute to the LA Kings Insider with stories on the LA Kings’ prospects. I’ll be honest, I never envisioned that opportunity being presented. At first, I was stunned, but it was an opportunity I embraced and didn’t hesitate to say yes for. If there was one thing this opportunity taught me was that there is always room to grow and improve. Thank you for always taking the time to answer every question I had. I hope, if the opportunity arises for the 2026-27 season, we can do it again.

The offseason has commenced, and in a month, the draft, free agency, and trade frenzy (maybe) will be upon us. Once September rolls around, the puck will drop, and Kings (60th NHL season) and Reign hockey will be up and running again.

Thank you for a wonderful 2025-26 season!

Featured image credit: John Huerta/Ontario Reign

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