2026 OHL In The System: L.A. Kings

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played. 

Join us for OHL in the System!

The L.A. Kings are stacking their royal court with young talent. Today, we look at their prospects who are ready to rule the ice.

 

Thomas Vandenberg (C) –  Ottawa 67’s (2025-26)

Selected: 4th Round, 103rd Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 59 GP, 25G, 25A, 50 PTS, +22

Age: 17

Selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft, Thomas Vandenberg was one of the youngest players in this year’s class. The Nepean, Ont., native enjoyed an outstanding rookie OHL season with Ottawa, recording 50 points (25-25–50) in 59 regular-season games. He also represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship.

 

Alex Kostov (C) –  Soo Greyhounds (2022-24), Flint Firebirds (2023-26)

Selected: 6th Round, 177th Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 233 GP, 56G, 83A, 139 PTS, +22

Age: 20

The L.A. Kings selected forward Alex Kostov of the Flint Firebirds. The 6-foot-4 winger took a major step forward in his third draft-eligible season, becoming the first player in Firebirds history to record hat tricks on back-to-back nights, including a four-goal performance. He finished the season with a career-high 55 points (24-31–55) in 47 regular-season games.

 

Lucas Ambrosio (C) –  Erie Otters (2024-26)

Selected: 7th Round, 223rd Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 116 GP, 5G, 28A, 33 PTS, -35

Age: 18

Selected with the final OHL pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, Lucas Ambrosio established himself as a dependable shutdown defenceman with the Erie Otters while contributing 20 points (1-19–20) in 64 regular-season games.

 

Henry Brzustewicz (D) – London Knights (2023-26)

Selected: 1st Round, 31st Overall (2025)

Signed: Apr. 4, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 178 GP, 31G, 71A, 102 PTS, +16

Age: 19

A physically imposing blueliner, Henry Brzustewicz has had a standout junior career with the London Knights, capturing back-to-back OHL championships in 2025 and 2026. Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, 31st overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Washington, Mich., native recorded a career-high 54 points (19-35–54) in 59 regular-season games. He made his professional debut with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, where he played five games and was recently named to the U.S. Roster for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase. 

 

Jimmy Lombardi (C) – Flint Firebirds (2023-26)

Selected: 4th Round, 125th Overall (2025)

Signed: Dec. 22, 2025 

OHL Career Stats: 190 GP, 56G, 81A, 137 PTS, +14

Age: 19

Jimmy Lombardi has developed into one of the league’s frontline centremen, competing hard but demonstrating respect for the opposition throughout the year. He came up big in a variety of situations for Flint, scoring nine power-play goals, three shorthanded markers, and eight game-winners, and took the second-most faceoffs in the league this season with 1,544. Lombardi was a finalist for the 2026 OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player and was also a finalist in two Coaches Poll categories (best defensive forward, best penalty killer). 

 

Jan Chovan (C) – Sudbury Wolves (2025-26)

Selected: 4th Round, 125th Overall (2025)

Signed (ATO): Apr. 6, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 60 GP, 28G, 27A, 55 PTS, -26

Age: 19

Recently named to Slovakia’s National Junior Team Summer Camp roster, Jan Chovan recorded 55 points (28-27-55) in 60 games with the Wolves while adding two goals in four playoff contests. The 6-foot-3 forward has represented Slovakia at both the 2025 and 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships. In April, he was signed to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with the Reign. 

 

Carter George (G) – Owen Sound Attack (2022-26), Soo Greyhounds (2025-26)

Selected: 2nd Round, 57th Overall (2024)

Signed: Jul. 25, 2024 

OHL Career Stats: 159 GP, 3.09 GAA, .909 SV%, 70-63-9-11

Age: 20

Carter George split time between the Owen Sound Attack and Soo Greyhounds this season, posting a 23-17-5 record. He also appeared in 10 OHL playoff games, going 5-5-0 with a 2.36 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Internationally, he helped Team Canada capture a bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship this past January. He also became the first goaltender in OHL history to score two career goals. George earned his second career recall to the Kings organization at the end of April and is expected to begin the 2026-27 season with the Reign.

 

Jared Woolley (D) – London Knights (2023-26), Kitchener Rangers (2025-26)

Selected: 6th Round, 164th Overall (2024)

Signed: Mar. 26, 2025 

OHL Career Stats: 171 GP, 24G, 45A, 69 PTS, +86

Age: 20

Capturing his second consecutive Memorial Cup championship – this time with the Kitchener Rangers – Jared Woolley recorded a career-high 36 points (12-24–36) over 66 regular-season games. The 6-foot-5 blueliner added two goals in the Memorial Cup tournament, including one in the championship game. He is expected to make his AHL debut next season. 

 

Kristian Epperson (LW) – Saginaw Spirit (2024-25) 

Selected: 3rd Round, 88th Overall (2025)

OHL Career Stats: 58 GP, 27G, 53A, 80 PTS, +45

Age: 20

After his lone season with the Saginaw Spirit, where he never went more than two consecutive outings without a point, Kristian Epperson completed his freshman season with the University of Denver, where he recorded 22 points (11-11–22) in 40 regular-season games and helped the club reach the Frozen Four. 

 

Kaleb Lawrence (C) – Owen Sound Attack (2019-23), Ottawa 67’s (2023-24), London Knights (2023-24)

Selected: 7th Round, 215th Overall (2022)

Signed: May 24, 2024 

OHL Career Stats: 149 GP, 41G, 41A, 82 PTS, +18

Age: 23

Kaleb Lawrence split the 2025-26 season between the Reign and the Rochester Americans (loan). He recorded a combined three assists and 54 penalty minutes in 27 regular-season games. 

 

Francesco Pinelli (C) – Kitchener Rangers (2019-22)

Selected: 2nd Round, 42nd Overall (2021)

Signed: Jun. 24, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 174 GP, 81G, 110A, 191 PTS, +39

Age: 23

In his third full season with the Reign, Francesco Pinelli recorded a career-high 35 points (14-21–35) in 65 regular-season games. He added a pair of points (1-1–2), including a shorthanded goal, in five Calder Cup Playoff games and recently signed a one-year, two-way extension with the Kings. 

 

Martin Chromiak (LW) – Kingston Frontenacs (2019-22)

Selected: 5th Round, 128th Overall (2020)

Signed: Jun. 11, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 88 GP, 55G, 64A, 119 PTS, +15

Age: 23

After signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Kings organization, Martin Chromiak played his fourth full campaign with the Reign, during which he set professional career highs in games played (71), goals (28), assists (28), and points (56), leading all Reign players in each category. Chromiak also set career marks in game-winning goals (7) and power-play goals (12), which led the team in both categories and tied for third and fourth-most among all AHL skaters. He also represented Slovakia at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championships, where he tallied six points (4-2–6) in seven games. 

 

Jan Jenik (C) – Hamilton Bulldogs (2018-20)

Signed: Jul. 1, 2026  

OHL Career Stats: 54 GP, 35G, 51A, 86 PTS, +4

Age: 25

Jan Jenik spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Belleville Senators, recording 17 points (9-8–17) in 41 regular-season games. He also suited up for two games with the Ontario Reign (AHL) after being acquired by the Kings on Mar. 12, 2026. Originally drafted in the third round (65th overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Draft, Jenik has skated in 24 career NHL games as a member of the Coyotes (2020-24) and Ottawa Senators (2024-25), collecting a combined six points (4-2–6). 

 

Tomorrow on OHL In The System: We’ll take a look at the OHL talent inside the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.