Los Angeles Kings’ Drew Doughty to miss game against Phoenix Coyotes with upper-body injury
In recent seasons, the Los Angeles Kings have experienced a rebirth. They have gone from the very bottom of the National Hockey League’s standings to earning their first trip to the postseason
in several years. Led by a nucleus of talented young players, the Kings have proved that they could be contenders once again.
One of the young players who helped the Kings return to form was stand-out young defenceman Drew Doughty. Doughty, who is as well-known for his punishing hits as he is for his offensive
contributions, was recently lost to an upper-body injury in a game played against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, 20 October.
Doughty sustained the injury late in the first period, following a hard hit from Hurricanes winger Erik Cole. He left the game after the hit, and did not return to action.
Kings head coach Terry Murray did not disclose the nature of the injury that Doughty had suffered, but did indicate that he would not be traveling with the team to Phoenix.
“The puck had long gone,” Murray said regarding Cole’s hit. “He didn’t have the puck for a long time before that happened.”
Despite having only a single assist to his name during the Kings first five games of the season, Doughty is widely considered to be one of the most important young players that are part
of the rebuilt Kings.
Last season was a big one for the native of London, Ontario. In addition to posting a career-high 59 points (16 goals, 43 assists), he also played a starring role for Team Canada during
the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Later on, Doughty would named as one of the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, which is awarded to the best defenceman in the league. At age 20, he was the second-youngest player to receive a nomination.
In 163 career games in the NHL, Doughty has posted totals of 22 goals and 64 assists for 86 points. The Kings will face the Coyotes at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, with the
puck scheduled to drop at 22:00.
Tags: