Los Angeles Kings defensive prospect Alex Roach was assigned to ECHL-Ontario when his major junior eligibility expired after his Calgary Hitmen were upset in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs by the Kootenay Ice. Roach, who appeared in three games with Ontario at the outset of the season, is actually one of the more long-standing members of the new-look Reign, who are well on their way to capturing their third consecutive Pacific Division title. Of all active players, only Everett Sheen and Matt Register were members of the club last year at this time.

Roach, a 6-foot-5, 224 pound left-shooting defenseman, originally signed with the Kings in September of 2011. In his 20-year-old WHL season, he scored 12 goals as part of a 44-point campaign that raised his point total to 127 points (35-92=127) over 240 games in his major junior career.

In his return to Ontario, Roach recorded a minus-one rating and one shot on goal in a 4-2 loss to Stockton last night. He has three assists, a plus-three rating and four shots on goal in four ECHL games this season.

Other Reign skaters of note: Maxim Kitsyn, a sixth round draft pick in 2010, has 28 points (13-15=28) and a plus-15 rating in 31 games, and Gasper Kopitar, Anze’s younger brother, has 19 points (8-11=19) and a plus-five rating in 30 games.

Linden Vey was also assigned to Ontario “on paper” due to Los Angeles’ salary cap constraints. He is not expected to play for the team.

The ECHL regular season winds down this weekend. For those interested in Kelly Cup playoff tickets, click here.