NHL’s Kings sign Clague, Wagner to entry-level contracts
The Los Angeles Kings locked up a pair of promising young prospects Monday afternoon as president/general manager Dean Lombardi announced the signing of Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Kale Clague and Regina Pats forward Austin Wagner.
Both players were signed to three-year, entry-level contracts.
Clague, an 18-year-old product of Lloydminster, AB, was drafted by the Kings in the second round (51st) at the 2016 NHL Draft. This past year, he helped Canada to a silver-medal finish at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship and has recorded 38 points (5G-33A) in 46 games with the Wheat Kings. He also represented Team WHL at the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
Prior to collecting a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, Clague helped the Wheat Kings secure the Ed Chynoweth Cup as 2016 WHL champions, tallying 14 points (6G-8A) in 21 post-season contests.
Originally selected by the Wheat Kings with the sixth overall pick at the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, the 6-foot, 177-pound defenceman has registered 94 points (15G-79A) in 139 career WHL regular season contests.
LA Kings announce Austin Wagner and Kale Clague have been signed to entry-level deals. https://t.co/K0FcHoQHZN
— #LAKings (@LAKings) March 6, 2017
Wagner, a 19-year-old product of Calgary, was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round (99th) of the 2015 NHL Draft. This past year, he was invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp, but did not represent his country at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. Like Clague, he represented Team WHL at the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series and is enjoying a solid season with the Pats, having secured 60 points (28G-32A) in 58 games.
Originally selected by the Pats in the fifth round (94th) at the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound left winger has registered 163 points (77G-86A) in 232 career WHL regular season contests. Over the course of 23 WHL post-season contests, Wagner has 12 points (4G-8A) to his name.
Clague is eligible for two more seasons in the WHL, while Wagner can return for his overage campaign in 2017-18, should the Kings elect to return him from the professional ranks.
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