Happy Holidays to all readers and Kings fans!
Week 12 of the Prospect Tracker is a brief holiday edition. Seven Kings prospects were invited to selection camps and pre-tournament games for the World Junior Championship, with updates on their statuses below. We also highlight key storylines heading into the tournament, which begins December 26th. Despite limited junior and college action during the holiday and tournament period, updates from the past week of junior hockey are included as well. The following reports cover games played through the end of day Wednesday, December 24nd.
Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Henry Brzustewicz, London Knights, RH Defenseman (31st overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 10 goals, 8 assists, minus-15, 37 PIM in 26 games played
Brzustewicz was released from Team USA’s World Junior Championship roster on Monday following selection camp and a pre-tournament game. The Michigan native had been competing for a spot after tallying an impressive 10 goals and eight assists through 26 games with London this season. While disappointing to miss the opportunity to represent his country, he will return to the Knights for their next game on December 28th and continue his season as a top contributor on their blue line.
Jan Chovan, Sudbury Wolves, Center/Right Wing (184th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 7 goals, 10 assists, minus-19, 2 PIM in 29 games played
Chovan skated on the second line in Slovakia’s 3-2 pre-tournament victory over Czechia on Monday, a strong indication he’ll make the final roster for the second consecutive year. The sixth-round pick served as an alternate captain at last year’s tournament and delivered a clutch game-winning goal against Switzerland despite playing a depth role. His ability to produce in key moments and leadership qualities make him a valuable piece for Slovakia heading into the 2026 tournament.
Carter George, Owen Sound Attack, Goalie (57th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 3.12 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 SO, 1 assist, 10 wins in 22 games played
George will be returning as the starter for Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship. Last year he opened the tournament with back-to-back shutouts against Finland and Germany, stopping 56 shots over those two games. His stellar play wasn’t enough to get Canada over the hump and into the semifinals, as they lost in the quarterfinals to Czechia for the second straight year. George’s calm, cool, and collected play in net will be a necessity for Canada as they aspire to make it to the medal round.
Liam Greentree, Windsor Spitfires, Right Wing (26th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 16 goals, 16 assists, plus-4, 29 PIM in 23 games played
After being left off last year’s squad, Greentree has put himself in position to make Team Canada’s final roster this go around. During Canada’s three pre-tournament games, he skated on the third and fourth lines, while also getting looks on the second power-play unit. His physicality, size, and offensive talent could be exactly what our neighbors to the north need, after failing to make the semifinals two years in a row for the first time in history.
What wonderful news on Christmas Eve for our players, families, billets, and entire organization. @liamgreentree66 and @aj_spellacy8 have both made their respective National Team rosters for the tournament. Congratulations gentleman, we will all be watching! #windsorspitfires… pic.twitter.com/bW5G54JLXW
— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) December 24, 2025
Jimmy Lombardi, Flint Firebirds, Center (125th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 21 goals, 20 assists, plus-15, 36 PIM in 33 games played
Lombardi had a memorable week both on and off the ice. He recorded two points in each of Flint’s two victories, including the game-winning goal on Saturday against Erie, and is now tied for third in OHL scoring. Flint sits tied with Brantford atop the OHL standings with 52 points. Off the ice, Lombardi received an early Christmas present in the form of an entry-level contract with the LA Kings. He also decommitted from the University of Michigan, where he was set to attend next fall, as players on ELCs cannot play in the NCAA…yet. Whether he receives the 19-year-old AHL spot that the CBA permits next season or returns to Flint for another year remains to be seen. We’ll provide updates as the situation develops.
Lombardi with a hard drive to the net for the goal. He’s got 7 points (3G, 4A) in his last 5 games #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/c5z7ciXoPt
— Alexander Legget (@LeggetNHL) December 21, 2025
Textbook puck movement and Lombardi gets the secondary assist #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/BjzAifQw19
— Alexander Legget (@LeggetNHL) December 21, 2025
Jared Woolley, London Knights, LH Defenseman (164th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 9 goals, 15 assists, plus-13, 36 PIM in 33 games played
Woolley had himself a four-point week over a three-game stretch this past week. One of his three goals was the game-winning overtime goal against Owen Sound, he picked up a rebound in the slot and tucked the puck behind the goalie. London went 2-1-0 on the week, losing their only game 2-0 against first-place Brantford. The physical two-way defenseman continues to lead all London blueliners in scoring with 24 points as the Knights sit seventh overall, nine points back of first.
Woolley with the give-and-go goal #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/3I24iJs2Fg
— Alexander Legget (@LeggetNHL) December 18, 2025
Woolley gets his 2nd goal of the game and the OT winner!!! #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/E0yYs1IpXl
— Alexander Legget (@LeggetNHL) December 18, 2025
Western Hockey League (WHL)
Will Sharpe, Kelowna Rockets, LH Defenseman (216th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 2 goals, 12 assists, plus-1, 10 PIM in 24 games played
Sharpe broke his 18-game scoreless streak with a greasy goal against Saskatoon. Playing down low in front of the net, with Kelowna down by one with two minutes remaining, he buried a loose puck in a net-front scramble to tie the game. Kelowna won 3-2 in the shootout and Sharpe now has five points in his last six games heading into the holiday break. The Rockets went 1-2-0 on the week and sit in 11th place in the WHL.
Sharpe gets the game-tying goal late and @Kelowna_Rockets win it in the shootout! pic.twitter.com/6SnQoN6j0u
— Alexander Legget (@LeggetNHL) December 18, 2025
COLLEGE HOCKEY (NCAA)
NCAA hockey is on holiday break through December. Below are current season statistics for Kings prospects, with action resuming in late December, and an update on Brendan McMorrow’s WJC status.
Ryan Conmy, Boston College, Right Wing (182nd overall in 2023)
2025-26 Stats: 6 goals, 5 assists, plus-5, 6 PIM in 16 games played
Kristian Epperson, Univ. of Denver, Left Wing (88th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 5 goals, 3 assists, plus-3, 12 PIM in 19 games played
Caeden Herrington, Univ. of Vermont, RH Defenseman (120th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 1 goal, 4 assists, minus-8, 10 PIM in 15 games played
Brendan McMorrow, Univ. of Denver, Left Wing (196th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 2 goals, 5 assists, plus-6, 4 PIM in 17 games played
Two days before the World Junior Championship Summer Showcase, McMorrow broke his right wrist and was unable to represent Team USA. Now healthy, the Minnesota native will wear the red, white, and blue, this time in his home state. His tenacity on the forecheck and penalty kill, combined with his speed and offensive ability make him a key role player for the American squad. The seventh-round pick played on the third line in Thursday’s 8-0 rout over Germany during pre-tournament play and fourth line in Tuesdays 3-1 victory over Finland.
James Reeder, Univ. of Denver, Right Wing (198th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 4 goals, 10 assists, plus-11, 2 PIM in 19 games played
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan Univ., Goalie (118th overall in 2023)
2025-26 Stats: 2.83 GAA, .887 SV%, 1 SO, 2 assists, 10 wins in 16 games played
Jack Sparkes, Clarkson Univ., RH Defenseman (180th overall in 2022)
2025-26 Stats: 0 goals, 1 assist, minus-1, 16 PIM in 17 games played
EUROPEAN LEAGUES
Vojtech Cihar, Czechia-HC Energie Karlovy Vary, Forward (59th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 4 goals, 4 assists, minus-2, 8 PIM in 27 games played
Cihar skated on the first line in Czechia’s pre-tournament game against Slovakia, a clear sign he’ll make the final roster for the second consecutive year. The second-round pick played a depth role at last year’s tournament, recording two points in seven games as Czechia captured bronze. He’s expected to take on a larger role and potentially wear a letter for the 2026 tournament, as Czechia looks to medal for the fourth consecutive year. Cihar signed a three-year entry-level contract with the LA Kings in December and was traded to the Kelowna Rockets, where he’s expected to join fellow Kings prospect Will Sharpe as the WHL’s Memorial Cup host team builds for a championship run.
Petteri Rimpinen, Liiga-Kiekko-Espoo, Goalie (152nd overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 2.79 GAA, .894 SV%, 1 SO, 8 wins in 23 games played
Rimpinen was a standout at last year’s tournament, starting every game for Team Finland and leading all goalies with a .933 save percentage. He made 238 saves on 255 shots over the seven-game stretch, including a 36-save performance in the gold-medal game that Finland lost in overtime to Team USA. The Finnish netminder, nicknamed “Showtime,” returns as the projected starter once again and will look to help his country avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss and claim the gold medal that slipped away.
Author’s note: There will be no Prospect Tracker next week on account of the holidays and vacation time, but follow @mayorNHL and @LeggetNHL on X for the latest WJC updates and highlights as they come. See you in the new year Kings fans!
Lead photo of McMorrow by Denver University
MORE LA KINGS NEWS:
Projecting Which Kings Prospects Will Play at the World Juniors This Month
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