GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS
Karl Taylor participates in L.A. Kings Development Camp for third year
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Getting back to the basics of fundamentals seemed to be a key concept of the 2008 Kings Development Camp. Ontario Reign Head Coach Karl Taylor once again had the opportunity to participate in the camp and to bring his experience to help train the future stars of the Kings.
More than 39 players participated in the development camp at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, which began Tuesday, July 8, and runs through Friday, July 18. On Monday afternoon, Taylor was assigned the task of coaching Team White during the inter-squad scrimmage as a standing room only crowd looked on at the players vying for a spot on the Kings roster.
While training at the development camp Taylor lent his experience to build the best quality hockey players possible. Sessions were filled with fundamentals, two-on-one, one-on-one and skill development drills. Players were placed into game simulations and scrimmages and according to Taylor, “the attention each player received was phenomenal. The focus on the individual was extremely high and the Kings are committed to building top-quality individuals.”
Kings prospect Michael D’Orazio (D) said that he came to the camp with an open mind. “I was ready to learn whatever the Kings were willing to teach me,” said D’Orazio. “They took us back to the basics and focused on the little things that make you a better player. This camp is a chance to develop your skill with top players. ”
Taylor looks to bring to the Reign many of the characteristics taught at development camp; a strong commitment to the team and focus on skill development and form. “I am dedicated to making time for positional skill development,” said Taylor. “Working with each player as an individual through repetition will make them a greater asset to the team. I believe that if the Kings as an NHL team can make time to focus on the individual, our team should be able to do the same.”
Kings prospect Danny Taylor (G) knows Karl Taylor’s coaching style and confirmed his commitment to the team. “I only got to play for Karl for about two weeks during the regular season and came back to play for him again during the playoffs in Reading. He is a great coach. He prepares well for each game and is an excellent motivator. The ECHL is lucky to have him as a coach and so is anyone that is lucky enough to play for him.”
With the Reign’s parent team in close proximity this season, Coach Taylor is excited at the opportunity of having Kings Management and coaching staff looking on and watching the program develop. “Bill Ranford and Kim Dillabaugh (Kings Goalie coaches) spent 25 days in Reading (Penn.) last season helping to improve our players. They are excited to have us close by and if the Kings aren’t playing they can easily come and watch the Reign,” said Taylor.
Ontario Reign fans can expect that in only 100 days they can see that commitment in full form as the Reign take on the Las Vegas Wranglers in the Inaugural season home opener at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
ECHL
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.
The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.
There have been 355 former ECHL players who have gone on to play in the NHL after playing in the ECHL, including 99 in the last three seasons. There have been 210 former ECHL players who have played their first game in the NHL in the past seven season.
REIGN DROPS
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Getting back to the basics (reign) 
