During an NHL training camp, young players want to do anything they can impress their coaches and management staff as they battle for a spot on their team's opening night roster.
One of those ways we've seen year after year is fighting during a scrimmage at camp and that's exactly what happened for the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday morning.
Right off the faceoff, Samuel Helenius (#79 in black), a second-round pick of the Kings in 2021, dropped the mitts with Jeff Malott (#39 in white), who the team signed as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Helenius and Malott will be teammates this fall with the AHL's Ontario Reign, but could be called up at some point this season if injuries occur.
The two went at it for about 20 seconds, with Helenius landing several strong punches on Malott, who has nine fights under his belt in the American Hockey League. Malott went down initially, but got back up and as able to get a few good shots of his own in before they were separated by the officials.
The Los Angeles Kings will open up their preseason schedule on Monday night in Salt Lake City as they take on Utah Hockey Club.
POLL | ||
21 SEPTEMBRE | 73 ANSWERS Kings players drop the mitts during training camp scrimmage Will the Los Angeles Kings make the playoffs this season? | ||
Yes | 38 | 52.1 % |
No | 35 | 47.9 % |
List of polls |