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LA Kings’ Mikey Anderson on Hockey and Making the Most of Self-Isolation

(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)

While the circumstances may be precarious, the NHL’s current stoppage hasn’t prevented fans from feeling miffed that their team’s momentum has been interrupted. The same can be said for the Los Angeles Kings.

While they were most likely going to miss the playoffs in 2020, the Kings had been nonetheless showcasing a lot of their future talent this season, leaving their fans hopeful, and even excited, for what lies ahead.

While the likes of Blake Lizotte, Gabe Vilardi and Cal Petersen are establishing themselves as promising cogs in the team’s future, there is another youngster in Los Angeles who is quickly earning himself a spot in the Kings’ long-term plans.

Mikey Anderson
(Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images)

Drafted in the fourth round (103rd overall) by the Kings in 2017, defenseman Mikey Anderson has adapted well to the transition to pro hockey, joining the AHL’s Ontario Reign last fall after two collegiate seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Even in his brief stint with the big club, Anderson’s potential is prevalent as he is just one reason why Kings fans are eager for the NHL to return to action.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mikey Anderson who shared with me his thoughts on being with the Kings, how he’s coping in self-isolation and how the transition was from the college ranks to the pros this past season.

“It’s exciting to go from college to the professional game,” Anderson said. “For a lot of college guys, it’s kind of a similar life in the fact that you’re already away from your family and living on your own. But, it’s different with finding ways to manage your time away from the rink. In college, you have school work and team events that might happen that in pro, you might not have but rather more free time to yourself. So, it’s finding what works for you to manage and to get ready to play whenever you have a game, but at the same time, it’s a different way. You’re playing against bigger and stronger guys, men instead of kids. I think college hockey did a good job in getting me ready for that but from college to pro, it’s another jump from where you were at.”

A Family Affair

While every player’s first NHL game is memorable, this was especially the case for Mikey Anderson.

Making his NHL debut on February 29, 2020, Anderson suited up for the Kings to take on the visiting New Jersey Devils. Mikey’s parents were in the crowd on this day but they had already been on the west coast, following one Devils player in particular: their older son, Joey.

In his NHL debut, Mikey not only had his parents on hand but he’d be going up against his big brother. I asked the younger Anderson how he felt about this unique situation.

“It was pretty crazy,” admitted Mikey. “Getting the call that I was going to get called up, that I was going to play in my first game was really exciting. I was very fortunate that I had my family out in town already coming to watch Joey play on the west coast. So, it was pretty surreal and taking the ice to see him on the other side against me, it’s a whole whirlwind of emotions. We played many games throughout our lives in the backyard pretending that we were in the NHL, so to have it happen in real life was a pretty surreal moment for me and our entire family with all the work everyone had put in, it was able to be celebrated and it was nice to have everyone there for it.”

Ten Thousand Lakes to One Big Ocean

In addition to his transition from college to the pros, Anderson made another significant change, moving from the frigid winters of his native Minnesota to the sunny beaches of southern California. No one could relate to this transition more than fellow Kings rookie — and fellow statesman — the aforementioned Blake Lizotte.

Blake Lizotte
(Photo credit: Getty Images)

“It was pretty fun,” Anderson began. “Two Minnesota guys kind of moving out of the midwest for the first time and getting to experience the California lifestyle together.”

Of course, given that the two grew up less than 40 miles apart, it seemed only fitting that Anderson of Roseville and Lizotte of Lindstrom would become roommates.

“It was kind of funny how we ended up becoming roommates,” Anderson said, chuckling. “[Lizotte] had reached out after I had signed [with the Kings] and asked if I wanted to live together. Obviously, we had different schedules — he was with the Kings the whole time and I was with the Reign — but once I got called up, I think he was pretty excited for me and it was fun being able to go to the rink and learning what he goes through, his process [being a part of the Kings] and have that comfortability with him in the room, one guy I already get along well with, which made [the transition to the NHL] very easy for me.”

Hockey World on Hold

Unfortunately, just a couple of weeks after his call-up — and three days after his first NHL goal — Anderson’s momentum halted as the NHL put its season on hold due to COVID-19.

“It’s been a tough time out there right now and it’s everyone trying to do their part to help out people that may need help here and there,” noted Anderson.

As disappointing as the NHL stoppage is, though, the 20-year-old blueliner admitted that he’s been able to make the best of an unpleasant situation while offering some sound advice for those needing to stay physically and mentally fit during this time.

“It’s very easy to get discouraged when nothing’s going on and everything’s at a standstill,” the 5-foot-11 D-man continued. “But I encourage everyone, whether it’s going out for a walk or finding a new hobby, just trying something new, to try and stay fresh and stay mentally there. At my house [in Roseville, MN], we’ve been doing that. We’ve been finding new games to play around the house, doing puzzles and finding any way to stay busy. We’re enjoying the family time together but at the same time, trying to find new ways to keep our minds moving and stay fresh.”

While Kings fans are certainly missing their team right now, they can take comfort knowing that when the NHL does resume, their club will pick up where they left off: building towards another bright future, which would include Anderson.

Already blessed with a great hockey IQ and a strong compete level, Mikey Anderson has adjusted well to the professional ranks. The longer schedule may be one of the more glaring differences for collegiate players turning pro, but it hasn’t seemed to affect Anderson.

In 53 games for the Reign this season, Anderson scored three goals and added 12 assists. The youngster, who turns 21 later this month, also had a -10 rating which, in fairness, could be more indicative of the Reign’s performance this season as they sat fifth in the Pacific Division before the AHL season was put on hold. The club also allowed 198 goals this season — good enough for 27th (out of 31 teams) overall.

Regardless of his AHL’s team play, though, Anderson was nonetheless deserving of his call-up to the NHL in February and with a little more experience, the youngster should promise to be a mainstay in Los Angeles for years to come.

 

One Comment

  1. Liza Ramirez

    May 6, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Awesome article Ryan! 💜🏒

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