Los Angeles Kings‘ 2nd year center Nic Dowd(67) has been continuing to work hard on his game in his sophomore season on reassignment to new affiliate Ontario Reign.
In 57 AHL games he’s already eclipsed his totals as a rookie with 13 goals, 34 assists (team 1st) for 47 points with a +12 rating and 139 shots on net in 20 less appearances.
He finished his first season with a 2015 Calder Cup Championship and anther 6 goals and 7 assists in 19 postseason match ups.
The soon-to-be 26-year old forward has received his first NHL recall and appeared in 3 games thus far recording no points but is a +2 plus/minus despite a pair of losses.
He’s also been pretty active in other departments on the score sheet playing power play time and short-handed situations with 3 shots, 3 hits, 2 takeaways and 2 giveaways and at least 50% on the face off dot.
Set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign, the deep draft selection should be retained with a qualifying offer to continue his upward progress.
Nic Dowd(26) Manchester Monarchs
Los Angeles Kings‘ 7th round pick in the 2009 draft rookie center Nic Dowd(26) was selected after his well-played 1st year of US junior hockey in the NAHL with Wenatchee Wild.
He virtually mirrored his debut performance in his next season of USHL with Indiana Ice before heading off to St. Cloud State University.
It took the 6’2″ 196 lbs. forward a couple of years to pick up the pace but by his last two campaigns, serving as team captain as a senior, he was back up to point-per-game production.
For his efforts he was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist.
Upon completion of his college playing days, he signed a one-year entry level deal and was assigned immediately to join affiliate Manchester Monarchs.
In 7 AHL games he posted three assists and added his first pro goal in 4 postseason contests.
After a strong showing in training camp he was one of the final cuts to be sent down and got right to work. Through 58 games he has 5 goals and a healthy 23 helpers.
The 24-year old from the unlikely hockey home of Huntsville, AL leads his team in rookie scoring with 28 points and assists.
He still awaits his first NHL recall but his tenacious playing style and good size probably put him in line sooner than later.