LA Kings Prospect Report: Jacob Friend
- Updated: January 2, 2018
In addition to defense, then-GM Dean Lombardi placed an enormous amount of emphasis on physicality. This is, in part, what helped the Los Angeles Kings win two Stanley Cups in three years. However, while Lombardi has since moved on and, furthermore, while it may not warrant as much critical attention, the physical aspect of a team’s game remains nonetheless vital for success in today’s NHL. For the Kings, few of their prospects possess a solid physical game better than Owen Sound Attack defenseman Jacob Friend.
For anyone selected as late as the seventh round, it might be easy to be written off without much evidence. However, for Friend — who was drafted 202nd overall in 2016 — being drafted so late has not been a deterrent but rather an opportunity for redemption. After all, despite appearing in just 43 games last season, Friend’s contributions helped the Attack reach the OHL’s Western Conference Final. This season, the 20-year-old is in his over-age year in the OHL as he hopes to make the most of his time in junior before turning pro.
I recently had an opportunity to speak with Owen Sound assistant coach Al Letang about Friend. Specifically, Letang discussed with me what, besides his physical game, the blueliner brings to the table and what he needs to work on before making the jump to the pros.
Photo credit: OwenSoundSunTimes.com
A Tough, Physical Blueliner
“Jacob, he’s an over-aged player now, so he has that ability to add grit to his game and he’s been a great physical presence for us,” Letang said. “He sees the ice very well for a defenseman, he makes a pretty good first pass, which is key now at the NHL level and at [the AHL] level. Defensemen nowadays, if you can’t make that outlet pass, you find yourself in your zone a lot more, so Jacob’s really worked on that over the last couple of years and, for a kid that’s only– walked on to our team who has only really played a few years in the OHL, his developments have really come.”
A native of Bowmanville, Ont., Jacob Friend may remind some, if not most, Kings fans of Matt Greene. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Friend possesses decent size but, like Greene, he is a tough-as-nails defenseman who just doesn’t seem to possess any fear. Yet, while his physical game is strong, Friend needs more than that if he wants to have a successful pro career.
The Next Rung on Jacob’s Ladder
While Friend’s physical game is solid, there are other facets that could see better results. So, where does Friend need to improve upon?
“Just to continue to work on his skating and his mobility,” noted Letang. “He still has to trust his instincts out on the ice. He’s a defenseman that’s always looking to step up into the play and make that big hit. He chases that hit in the game where a lot of times as a defenseman, you have let that play come to you. With good angles and good back pressure from forwards, you can ride guys into the boards and continue to have that physical play in his game.
“We’re just working on those things with Jacob where he’s a little bit more patient on the rush and continue to work on his mobility like his first couple of steps out of the zone both offensively and defensively,” Letang continued. “But he’s a pretty hard-working kid, he’s pretty committed and pretty driven for improvement and that’s always a plus.”
Teammates Not Only Have a Friend But a Leader
As crucial as they are, though, in-game skills can only take a player so far if he doesn’t have the right attitude. Letang assured me, however, that attitude should not pose a threat to Friend’s road to the next level. In fact, the big blueliner has proven to be such a consummate leader both in the locker room and on the ice that he earned the Owen Sound captaincy entering this season.
“Jacob’s a great kid,” Letang emphasized. “He was a leader for us [in 2016-17] even though he just wore the ‘A’’. But now, he’s our captain. He’s leading on the ice by example like I talked about earlier. He’s that presence on the ice where he goes after that team’s top line all the time and that threat of physicality is always there when he’s on the ice, and I’m pretty sure guys in the league know that.
“Around the dressing room, very, very motivated, very driven kid, so he leads by example, usually in the weight room. He’s good with the young kids, a very down-to-earth kid. He’s easy to talk to in the coaches room and isn’t shy about addressing issues of importance. So, a lot of good qualities. His parents should be very proud of how they raised him. A smart kid.”
Photo credit: Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
While they have gone through some big changes this past year, expect more on the way for the Los Angeles Kings this coming summer. Before we go into panic mode, though, let us realize that the upcoming changes will be related to more prospects competing for roster spots, whether in Los Angeles, Ontario or even across the country in Manchester. Already with a few over-agers this season, the Kings seem to be making things more interesting after signing two more 20-year-olds from the junior ranks within the last month: Kole Kehler and Austin Strand.
As for Jacob Friend, his physical prowess may be what makes him stand apart from other prospects looking to make their mark with the Kings next fall. Of course, if he were to make the big club right away, he would be sharing the physical spotlight, if you will, with fellow Owen Sound alum Kurtis MacDermid. In fairness, though, a lot can happen between now and then, so let’s not put too much emphasis on what will be. But, with the Attack coaching staff helping him improve his skating and mobility, among others, Jacob Friend has every reason to feel confident in preparing for the next level.
If nothing else, the name on the back of his jersey will give Jacob Friend’s teammates some positive reinforcement while, conversely, misleading his opponents. Whichever way you do look at it, though, the former Cobourg Cougar may very well be someone who catches the imagination of Kings — and/or Reign — fans in the very near future. Like Matt Greene or Dustin Brown, Jacob Friend’s physical game may one day be the reason why Kings fans keep wanting to come back for more.
For someone who wasn’t even ranked in the NHL Central Scouting (final or midterm), Jacob Friend will look to establish himself as a hidden gem who can contribute just as much, if not more, than those who preceded him in the six rounds before his own name was called.
Whether as an ally or an enemy, teammates and opponents alike at the junior level have already discovered what they have in Jacob Friend. It’s only a matter of time before those at the AHL, and even the NHL, level discover the same thing.
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