Ontario Reign: A potential look at possible first-year prospects

Every year, the next wave of first-year players takes the next step in their hockey careers. Some of those prospects can quickly make it to the NHL, while others need more development and are eventually assigned to the AHL.

The Ontario Reign had six players drafted by the LA Kings (one being signed to an AHL contract and the others on entry-level contracts) this past season. By the looks of it, that appears to be the case again for the 2026-27 campaign, only this time all six of those players are on entry-level contracts.

It’s not a guarantee that all six players will turn pro. With rules in place, we’ll see whether the Kings take advantage of them for two of their prospects if they feel it is right for their development (we will explain later). For now, meet your potential first-year players for the 2026-27 Reign.

Grant Slukynsky

Age: 24

Previous league: NCAA (Western Michigan University)

Grant Slukynsky wasn’t drafted by the Kings, but signed an ATO and a one-year entry-level contract after his season at WMU completed. Grant is the older brother of current Kings goalie prospect Hampton Slukynsky.

The 24-year-old scored 10 goals and recorded 40 points in 39 games for WMU. He played at center and won 52.9% — playing a big part in WMU’s faceoff percentage, which ranked 7th in the NCAA — of the draws he took. I would expect him to start at wing, given the Reign have a plethora of centers at the moment, but things can change from now until training camp.

Vojtěch Čihař

Age: 19

Previous league: Czechia, WHL (Kelowna Rockets)

Here is an interesting one. If you are wondering if Vojtěch Čihař is eligible to play in the AHL in 2026-27, the answer is yes, but we’ll get to that at the end. Čihař started the season in Czechia, recording 8 points (4 G, 4 A) in 27 games. He would then join Czechia for the U-20 World Juniors, where he led Czechia in scoring (12 points) and won MVP of the tournament.

Following the tournament, Čihař joined the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL as a European import. Carrying over his successful play from the World Junior tournament, Čihař would play top-six minutes and power play time in Kelowna. He would be a point-per-game in Kelowna, scoring 31 points (12 G, 19 A) in 31 games.

Now, back to his AHL eligibility. Čihař did play in the WHL last season and was drafted by the Rocket as a European import. Because of that, he is exempt from the CHL-NHL transfer agreement rule. Although he did well against his peers, if the Kings feel that he is ready for professional hockey in the AHL against grown men, then he could be one incoming prospect joining the Reign.

For now, he is a “maybe.”

Jared Woolley

Age: 20

Previous league: OHL (London Knights & Kitchener Rangers)

Jared Woolley, a 6’5 defenseman, is expected to turn pro after winning his third straight OHL championship and second consecutive Memorial Cup. Woolley isn’t an offensive -minded defenseman, but the big defenseman had a prominent role on the offensive side of the puck at the beginning of the season in London, but played more of a shutdown role in Kitchener when he was traded at the deadline. The defensive part of the game is his calling card.

Henry Brzustewicz

Age: 19

Previous league: OHL (London Knights)

Henry Brzustewicz had a cup of coffee at the end of the regular season and played in all five playoff games. It was an adjustment phase for the 19-year-old coming from junior hockey to the pros. With each passing game, you could see him improve as he adjusted to the size and pace of the game.

Under normal circumstances, Brzustewicz wouldn’t be eligible to play in the AHL in this upcoming campaign. However, under the new CBA, and the possibility of NHL teams allowing one 19-year-old CHL prospect to play in the AHL this year, Brzustewicz finds himself eligible. If the organization decides that playing in Ontario is best for his development, we could see him back with the Reign again.

He plays a two-way game and could see power-play time.

Carter George

Age: 20

Previous league: OHL (Owen Sound Attack & Soo Greyhounds)

It’s no secret that the potential within the Kings’ pipeline is in net. Carter George played in two games with the Reign after his 2024-25 OHL campaign ended, and he came as advertised.

George was dominant in both games, displaying his strong technique and demeanor. At age 19, those two games with the Reign didn’t faze him. Now, he is eligible to be a full-time pro, and Kings fans could get a glimpse of the future in net.

Hampton Slukynsky

Age: 20

Previous league: NCAA (Western Michigan University)

Another Kings goalie prospect is turning pro this year. Like George, Hampton Slukynsky will be a full-time pro this year. He played two games at the end of last season with the Reign and looked strong in both games.

Unlike in years past, the Reign will have two rookie goalies turning pro at the same time. They usually have one of their prospects sharing goaltending duties with an experienced goaltender (i.e., Garrett Sparks, Pheonix Copley, and David Rittich). The 2026-27 campaign sees a unique situation where we could see Slukynsky and George share the goaltending duties.

However, if Portillo doesn’t make the Kings, or neither of the three goalie prospects end up being traded, we could see George and Slukynsky move up and down between the AHL and ECHL throughout the season.

Featured image credit: Bob Davies/Soo Greyhounds

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