NHL’s Kings lock up Royals’ defenceman

It’s official: Chaz Reddekopp is a member of the Los Angeles Kings’ organization.

The 20-year-old Victoria Royals’ defenceman was officially signed to a three-year NHL entry level contract on Friday, a day after the organization originally announced the deal, only to delete the release from its website on Thursday. But on Friday, new Kings general manager Rob Blake announced the deal.

Reddekopp was unavailable to comment Friday as he and his Ontario Reign teammates were set to open their Pacific Division best-of-five series against Royals teammate Tyler Soy and the San Giego Gulls, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks.

The signing is a proud moment for the Royals hockey club, said general manager Cam Hope.

“He’s got the hockey IQ to play at a higher level,” said Hope. “He’s a big body and not afraid to throw his weight around. I’m not surprised he was signed.”

Reddekopp is likely to return to Victoria to play his over-age season.

“It’s in the hands of the L.A. Kings now, but we always believe we can offer a player a good place to play as a 20-year-old,” said Hope of the six-foot-four, 222-pound native of West Kelowna, who has recorded 20 goals and 103 points in 234 regular-season Western Hockey League games.

Reddekopp, who was drafted in the seventh round, 187th overall in 2016, has also added nine assists in 31 career WHL playoff outings.

Earlier in the week, Reddekopp signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Reign, the Kings’ top affiliate, and made his professional debut with the club on Wednesday night in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Stockton Heat.

Soy joined the Gulls on an amateur tryout agreement earlier in the week and fellow Royals sniper Matthew Phillips is also with the Calgary Flames’ affiliate in Stockton, but had yet to suit up for the club.