Summary
The Los Angeles Kings have made a change to their goalie lineup during the busy postseason. On Thursday, the team announced that veteran goalie Pheonix Copley has been sent down to the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL). To fill his spot, the Kings called up young prospect Carter George from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). George will now serve as the emergency backup goalie for the Kings as they continue their run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Main Impact
This move is designed to help both the NHL team and their minor league partner. By sending Pheonix Copley to the Ontario Reign, the Kings are giving their AHL team a very experienced goalie for the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Reign earned a break in the first round of the playoffs, but their next series is starting soon. Having a veteran like Copley gives them a better chance to win a championship. At the same time, bringing up Carter George allows the young prospect to get a taste of the NHL environment during the most important time of the year.
Key Details
What Happened
Pheonix Copley had been with the Kings as an emergency backup for the first two games of their series against the Colorado Avalanche. However, the team decided his experience would be more useful playing games in the AHL rather than sitting in the stands for the NHL team. In his place, the Kings brought in 19-year-old Carter George. George recently finished his season with the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL. This type of roster move is common in the playoffs when teams want to make sure their top prospects are learning and their minor league teams are strong.
Important Numbers and Facts
Pheonix Copley is 34 years old and has spent a lot of time in the professional leagues. This season, he played 33 games for the Ontario Reign. He finished with a record of 21 wins, 11 losses, and one overtime loss. He had a save percentage of .901, which means he stopped about 90% of the shots he faced. Carter George is much younger and was a second-round pick by the Kings in 2024. In his recent playoff games with the Soo Greyhounds, he had a strong .910 save percentage over 10 games. He also helped his team pull off a major upset in the first round of the OHL playoffs.
Background and Context
The goalie situation for the Kings has been changing over the last year. Pheonix Copley had a very difficult 2023 because he had to have major knee surgery on his ACL. It took him a long time to recover and get back onto the ice. He finally made a start for the Kings in December 2025, but it was his only NHL start of the season. Because he is getting older and his contract is ending soon, his future with the team is not certain. On the other hand, Carter George is seen as the future of the team. He has already played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, where he won a bronze medal. He is considered one of the best young goalies in hockey right now.
Public or Industry Reaction
Hockey experts see this as a smart move for the Kings organization. It follows a pattern used by other teams, like the Tampa Bay Lightning, who also sent veteran goalies down to help their AHL teams this week. Fans of the Ontario Reign are excited to have Copley back because he is a proven winner at that level. Meanwhile, Kings fans are happy to see Carter George getting closer to the NHL. It shows that the team is focused on winning right now in the minors while also preparing their best young players for the future.
What This Means Going Forward
For Pheonix Copley, these AHL playoffs could be an audition for other teams. Since he will be a free agent this summer, playing well now could help him get a new contract. The Kings already have other young goalies like Erik Portillo under contract, so there might not be a spot for Copley next year. For Carter George, this is the end of his time in junior hockey. Because he signed a professional contract, he cannot play in college. He will likely spend all of next season playing for the Ontario Reign to continue his development. This move gives him a head start on understanding how professional players prepare for big games.
Final Take
The Kings are making a calculated choice to balance the needs of two different teams. By moving Copley, they prioritize a deep playoff run for their AHL affiliate. By calling up George, they invest in the growth of their top goalie prospect. This shuffle ensures that every player is in the best position to help the organization succeed, whether that is by winning games in Ontario or providing backup support in Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Kings send Pheonix Copley to the AHL?
They sent him down so he could play as the starting goalie for the Ontario Reign in the AHL playoffs. This gives the minor league team a better chance to win the Calder Cup.
Who is Carter George?
Carter George is a 19-year-old goalie prospect who was drafted by the Kings in the second round in 2024. He is considered one of the top young goalies in the world.
What is an emergency backup goalie (EBUG)?
An emergency backup is a goalie who stays with the team during the playoffs in case one of the main two goalies gets hurt or cannot play. They usually practice with the team but do not play unless there is an injury.
