Checking in with Linden Vey - talks first pro goal

Linden Vey in Manchester (photo: S. Babineau)

Earlier this summer on MayorsManor, Kings prospect Brandon Kozun spoke about the humbling experience of moving from the WHL - where he was big man on campus - to being a rookie in the AHL last year.

Now, fresh off of scoring more points than any other player in all of junior hockey last season - Linden Vey is making that transition.  The 6-foot forward posted 46 goals and 70 assists for the Medicine Hat Tigers, more than enough to earn the WHL scoring title.

Then, last night, he turned the page. In his sixth game as a professional, he picked up his first goal as a member of the Manchester Monarchs.

After practice today, we spoke by phone, where he described the memorable moment like this - "It was off a faceoff play in the offensive zone. (David) Meckler got the puck and he threw it in front. I got the puck in the slot and put it upstairs."

Like most players, he plans on giving the puck to his parents. After all, they were ones driving when he made all those trips to the rink as a youngster.

Even after scoring all those goals last year, this one still meant something to him.

"Any time you score your fist goal in any league it's always pretty special," Vey said. "With those first five games, I was hoping I'd get it a little bit earlier because it's something you'd like to get out of the way early. But, now that I did, it's kinda nice. Hopefully I can build off that and continue to do the things I've been doing and put more pucks in the net."

Who exactly might be setting up his second goal sounded like a work in progress though.

LA Kings 2011 Rookie Camp Primer - the forwards

Business is about to pick up...

Fresh on the heels of yesterday's official release of the Kings 2011 Rookie Camp roster and schedule, below is some additional information to get you primed and ready to go.

KINGS PROSPECTS

Andy Andreoff – 6-foot-1 center, drafted in 2011, third round - played 66 games for Oshawa (OHL) last season, scoring 33 goals and was impressive at the Kings' July Development Camp - if he a signs pro contract, could end up in Manchester this season - his most recent MayorsManor interview was just yesterday morning, linked here

Robert Czarnik — 6-foot forward, drafted in 2008, third round - originally was at the University of Michigan, then 'transferred' to the Plymouth Whalers (OHL) - scored 33 goals and 44 assists last season - most recent MayorsManor interview went up yesterday also, linked here

Ray Kaunisto — 6-foot-3 left wing, signed as a free agent in 2010, following his college career at Northern Michigan - played 57 games for Manchester last season - one of the best (and most respected) chirpers among the prospects - gave an epic interview on MayorsManor earlier this week, where he provided his 'bucket list' - check it out here

Brandon Kozun — 5-foot-8 forward, drafted in 2009, sixth round - has proclaimed he's 'ready for the NHL' - played 73 games for Manchester last season (23 goals, 25 assists) - expected to get a long look by the Kings leadership group at this year's camp - frequent guest on MayorsManor, with his most interview posting later today (in what will be a partial follow-up to Kaunisto's bucket list)...update: it's been posted, link here