Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Hampton Slukynsky!
Hampton Slukynsky
Birthdate: July 2, 2005
Birthplace: Warroad, Minnesota
Height: 6’1
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: Goalie
Catches: Left
Draft: 4th round, 118th overall, 2023 NHL Draft
*NOTE: Since August 23rd, my Mom has picked the order of the training camp player previews for the Reign players because I couldn’t figure out what order to do them in. So, I asked for her assistance. Today, she chose Hampton Slukynsky! And today is her birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! Enjoy your day!
2025-26 season
After splitting starts and eventually carrying the load as the number-one goalie late in the season en route to an NCAA title, Hampton Slukynsky embraced the starting role in his sophomore season at Western Michigan University. Slukynsky and WMU’s title defense start got off on the wrong foot. The team struggled early with all the changes, but turned it around in mid-November.
HAMPTON. SLUKYNSKY. pic.twitter.com/LXlFXx8I3u
— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) January 11, 2026
Saved by the toe 😮💨
Hampton Slukynsky with a major toe save for the defending national champs‼️ @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/k4k8jTR5in
— ESPN (@espn) March 27, 2026
Slukynsky surrendered more than three goals four times in the first ten games. In the next 29 games, Slukynsky looked like himself again. The 21-year-old netminder allowed more than three goals only three times, including back-to-back shutouts in that stretch.
Slukynsky and WMU’s title defense fell to in a 6-2 Frozen Four loss their rivals and eventual champion Denver Pioneers. Slukynsky finished his sophomore season with a 27-11-1 record, 2.30 GAA, .915 SV%, and four shutouts in 39 games. He earned Goaltender of the Week five times and the Goaltender of the Month once. He was also named to the Second-Team All-NCHC.
It’s Hammer time in our Save of the Year final! 🔨@WMUHockey’s @HSlukynsky’s Week 5 triple stop 🆚 his sprawling toe stop in the NCAA Regional Semifinals!
WATCH & VOTE to decide which save moves on to face Barrett Hall’s goal for the title of #theNational Play of the Year… pic.twitter.com/qEFPNuwPm9
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) April 23, 2026
The Kings are high on Slukynsky, and they convinced him to turn pro at age 20. Slukynsky signed his entry-level contract and started two games for the AHL-Ontario Reign. He made his Reign debut on April 10th in a 4-1 home victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He followed that performance with another win, allowing only one goal in a 4-1 victory over the San Diego Gulls a week later.
The @LAKings have signed goaltender Hampton Slukynsky to a three-year entry-level contract through the 2028-29 season, and forward Grant Slukynsky to a one-year entry-level contract through the 2026-27 season. Additionally, both players will join the @ontarioreign on an AHL PTO… pic.twitter.com/Mok4rwKjBQ
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) April 2, 2026
#4 – Hampton Slukynsky & Kenny Connors vs. Firebirds on April 10! 👇 pic.twitter.com/itQFnGI2oW
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) June 2, 2026
Making his debut tonight, Hampton Slukynsky.#ReignTrain I #CVvsONT pic.twitter.com/jvtUjamquF
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 11, 2026
2026-27 outlook
Exciting times in net are ahead. The Kings have their top two goalie prospects – Slukynsky and Carter George – turning pro at the same time. This is the first time the Kings have had two top goalie prospects in the AHL since the Reign were introduced in 2015.
What I like about Slukynsky is his poise and control. He is aggressive but can maintain composure, not lose the net with his aggressiveness, and push off from post-to-post.
Slukynsky and George could share the net, but one of them might have to play in the ECHL at some point, depending on what the organization plans to do with the Kings’ starting tandem (Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg), which could affect Erik Portillo. If Slukynsky and George are the starting tandem in Ontario, you should probably buy a FloSports package to watch Reign games.
Featured image credit: Bailey Holiver/Ontario Reign