The Kings’ more mature Jamie McBain returns to face former team

He still owns a house in the area and owns some fond memories of his years here and playing with the Carolina Hurricanes.

After all, there is always going to be something special about that first NHL team. Kings defenseman Jamie McBain was drafted by the Hurricanes, made his NHL debut in the 2009-10 season and played parts of four seasons here.

McBain, 27, returns to play his former team, carrying new responsibilities, married and a newly minted father. His son, Carter, is only a few weeks old and is changing almost daily, it seems.

“A lot has happened. I’ve been able to mature a lot through some ups and downs and now I’m a father,” McBain said Saturday after practice at PNC Arena. “It’s pretty crazy to think where I was when I first came into the league and where I am now.

“You grow not only on the ice but off the ice as a person. I’m grateful for where I am.”

In 13 games, he has one goal and four points. A little more than a year ago, he made his Kings debut after having signed a professional tryout contract with their American Hockey League affiliate, which was then in Manchester, N.H.

When the call from the Kings organization first came last year, he was at home in Minnesota and contemplating his playing future and even thought about going to Europe.

“The right phone call was made and the right things happened,” McBain said. “When you’re sitting on the couch and no one is calling, you have to look at all your options. That’s the last resort I think when you’ve played in the league and you want to stay in the league. If you’re sitting on the couch and no one is calling you, you’ve got to go play somewhere.

“It was something I looked at but fortunately I didn’t have to do it.”

McBain has benefited from his work with Kings associate head coach John Stevens, a defensive taskmaster.

“He’s been tremendous,” McBain said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with him. He’s so detailed-oriented… He never lets you take a practice off, a drill off. He’s always making sure you’re at the top of your game, especially my circumstances where, now and again, I’m in and out of the lineup.”

Said Stevens: “Since the recall [Oct. 22] he’s been a really good player for us. Took advantage of the opportunity. We had an injury [to Matt Greene]. He came up and was really ready to play, anxious to prove he could play and help us and he did.

“Lately our defense, as a group, has been a little bit inconsistent. He’s somebody that when he is playing well, he helps us on the power play. He uses his speed and quickness to move pucks below the goal line.”

Point streak

A few pulses among Kings coaches and management must have quickened when right wing Tyler Toffoli left the ice slowly in the second period Friday after a big hit from the Red Wings’ Tomas Tatar. Toffoli was shaken but took another shift by the end of the period and looked fine after that.

“He didn’t hit me straight on,” said Toffoli, who practiced Saturday. “He hit me on the side, just winded me. I was fine a couple of shifts later. I knew exactly what it was. I just needed to catch my breath, get a sip of water.”

Toffoli’s assist on Jeff Carter’s second goal of the game extended his point streak to a career-high six games. That drew the Kings within a goal heading into the third period, but they were unable to equalize despite some sustained pressure.

Up next

AT CAROLINA

When: Sunday, 10 a.m. PST

On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 790.

Etc: The Elias Sports Bureau unearthed a fascinating note: Carolina dressed six American defenseman for Friday’s shootout loss against Toronto, a franchise first. And all six played college hockey in the United States, sparked by Justin Faulk, who leads the Hurricanes in scoring with six goals and 13 points. Carolina Coach Bill Peters said forward Jordan Staal, who did not practice Saturday, should be able to play against the Kings. Staal blocked a shot in Friday’s game.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

Twitter: @reallisa