Kings Recall Connors, Loan Ward to Reign
The Los Angeles Kings have recalled forward Kenny Connors and loaned forward Taylor Ward to their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Hockey
The LA Kings loaned forward Taylor Ward to the Ontario Reign and recalled forward Kenny Connors to the NHL club. Goaltender Hampton Slukynsky was reassigned to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL.
Why it matters
The moves reshuffle the Kings' affiliate depth, with Connors shifting up to the NHL level and Ward joining the Ontario Reign's roster. Reassignments like these shape which prospects get regular ice time at each level of the organization.
Connors has seven points in 11 games with the Ontario Reign this season, after posting 15 goals and 41 points in 65 games last year. The stub does not specify how long Ward's loan will last or why Slukynsky was reassigned.
The players
Kenny Connors
Kenny Connors is a forward who was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft after three seasons at UMass-Amherst.
Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward is a forward in the Los Angeles Kings organization who was loaned to the Ontario Reign, the Kings' AHL affiliate.
The details
The Kings loaned Taylor Ward to the Ontario Reign, their AHL affiliate, and recalled Kenny Connors. Slukynsky was sent to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL.
Timeline
2022 NHL Draft: Connors was selected by the Kings in the fourth round, 103rd overall.
2022-23 season: Connors played his freshman year at UMass-Amherst and earned Hockey East All-Rookie honors.
2023 IIHF World Junior Championship: Connors earned a bronze medal with Team USA.
Season Trajectory
Moves like these are routine within the NHL-AHL affiliate system, where teams rotate prospects between levels to manage depth during a season. Connors' development path from a fourth-round pick to an NHL recall illustrates how the Kings use the Reign as a proving ground.
Connors' recall gives him an opportunity to play at the NHL level, which affects his fantasy and roster outlook for the Kings. Ward's move to the Reign means fans of the AHL club will see him in regular minor-league action.
The takeaway
Roster moves between NHL and AHL affiliates are a normal part of prospect development, and a player's recent production at the lower level often factors into these decisions. Following affiliate transactions gives fans a clearer picture of how teams shape their depth charts over a season.
Further reading
For more on the team's affiliate moves, see Hockey coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NHL.
