The Los Angeles Kings have added to their prospect pool, signing defenseman Austin Strand to a three-year entry-level contract. Strand went undrafted and is currently playing with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, where he has 26 points in 24 games.
Strand, 20, had an incredible playoff run with the Thunderbirds last season after coming over from the Red Deer Rebels mid-season, including an appearance in the Memorial Cup as WHL Champions. The 6’4″ 216-lbs defenseman was ranked 101st-overall among North American skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting heading into the 2015 draft, but wasn’t picked that summer or following year. He’ll turn 21 in February, but has shown the early signs of a step forward in his progression, earning him the entry-level deal.
Known more as a defensive defenseman, if Strand’s offensive game has taken a leap he could turn into a legitimate candidate to make the leap to the NHL sooner than later. That comes with a strong caveat though, as many often excel in the CHL as over-aged players and never take the next step in their professional journey. For now, he’ll try to take the Thunderbirds to his third-straight Memorial Cup—he also appeared in the tournament in 2016 with host city Red Deer—and finally hoist the trophy overhead.