Kings Add a New Minor League Team

The Kings announced Wednesday that they will have a full working agreement next season with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League, but still will keep their American Hockey League affiliate in New Haven, Conn.

The Kings recently signed a three-year extension with New Haven after plans to sell the Knighthawks to a Connecticut businessman fell through.

“We will operate two full minor league teams this year,” General Manager Rogie Vachon said. “It’s unusual, but we think we can do it.”

“We feel Phoenix is perfect for the Kings. We’re only an hour away if we need a player. It takes almost a day to recall a player from New Haven. It would be very easy to bring up a guy from Phoenix and he could play for you that night.”

Phoenix, an IHL expansion team operating as an independent last season, had partial NHL affiliations with the Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres.

In another move, the Kings named former NHL defenseman Nick Beverley assistant general manager.

Beverley, who played with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and Kings in the 1970s, was the club’s director of player personnel the last two years.

The Kings also signed forwards Mike Allison and Chris Kontos, and goaltender Mario Gosselin to termination contracts, meaning they will become free agents after next season.