LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings added to their goaltender depth on Wednesday with the addition of a familiar face from the Kings’ past.

The Kings acquired goaltender Pheonix Copley from the Tampa Lightning in exchange for future considerations that have not yet been named. With the addition of Copley the Kings have subsequently lended goaltender to the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate to make space on the roster.

Despite having come from the Lightning, Copley’s most recent NHL experience actually comes from the Kings themselves. Copley was signed by the Kings in 2022 and after a brief stint with the Reign was called up during the 2022-23 season, where he made history as just the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win seven games in a row. 

The #LAKings have reacquired goalie Pheonix Copley from #TBLightning for future considerations.

Copley was claimed off waivers by Tampa from L.A. earlier this month.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 15, 2025

He played in just eight games the following season before a season-ending ACL injury, then appeared in just a single game in 2024-25 at the NHL level before spending the rest of his time playing for the Reign. The Kings placed him on waivers ahead of this season, where he was picked up by the Lightning, but now the Kings have brought the 33-year-old Alaskan home to back up Darcy Kuemper in the net. 

Copley appeared in 42 games for the Reign last season and finished out the year with a 24-17-1 record and a .904 save percentage. Copley also posted a 2.49 GAA and two shutouts in the season.

His 42 games were an AHL career-high while his 24 victories were tied for fourth among goaltenders in the league. 24 wins also tied the career high he set with the Kings in 2022-23, when he finished with a 24-6-3 record. 

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley (29) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley (29) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

At the NHL level Copley has carved out a solid career with a career 2.84 GAA and .898 save percentage. He has shown that he can rise to the occasion even after a brief, but disappointing campaign at the NHL level last season and should provide the Kings with a steady second option to plug up the net as they fight for another Stanley Cup. 

Copley has had a rollercoaster ride of a career to make it to this point. After going undrafted he signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent in 2014 and playing with their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. After impressing with the Bears he traded to the St. Louis Blues in 2016 and split time between the NHL squad and their AHL affiliate before then being traded back to the Capitals in 2017, playing between Washington and the AHL and being part of the Capitals Stanley Cup winning 2018 roster, though he did not appear in the playoffs.

His return to the Kings in this deal is the latest in a long line of back-and-fourth journeys between teams and this time he’ll be determined to make it stick.