Los Angeles Kings’ Drew Doughty cleared to return after missing six games
The Los Angeles Kings are one of the best teams in the National Hockey League’s Western Conference right now, and things are about to get a bit better for them.
The team announced that star defenceman Drew Doughty has received clearance from medical staff to return to the line-up for the Kings’ next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday,
4 October.
Doughty has been out of action since 20 October, when he received a concussion after an open-ice hit from Erik Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes. He remained behind as the Kings embarked
on a five-game road trip, which culminated with a sixth game on Saturday, 30 October that was played at home.
Without Doughty patrolling the blue line, Los Angeles has won four of their last six games. Since the beginning of the 2010-11 NHL season, they have won eight of their first 11 games,
which has landed them in first place overall in the league standings.
The 20-year-old Doughty has amassed a number of accolades since officially joining the Kings’ roster in the 2008-09 season. Last season, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the Winter
Olympics in Vancouver, and he also became the second-youngest player ever to be nominated for the Norris Trophy.
Drafted second overall by Los Angeles at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Doughty is as well-known for his big hits as he is for his offensive prowess. The native of London, Ontario posted totals
of 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points last season. He has made an instant impact since becoming a full-time NHL player, and is among the best young defencemen in the game today.
Since making the team right after the 2008 draft, Doughty has scored 22 goals and 64 assists for a total of 86 points in 163 games.
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