The Los Angeles Kings have recalled alum Gabriel Vilardi from their American Hockey League affiliate, Ontario Reign, and is set to make his NHL regular season debut, becoming the first CIHA alum to do so.
Gabriel currently has 25 points in 32 games for the Reign, which is 3rd best on the team in points per game average (.78). He’s also tied for 1st in powerplay goals (4) and 3rd in assists (16) despite playing less games than most of his teammates.Drafted 11th overall in 2017, Gabriel has had a tough road to pro hockey as he struggled with injuries and missed nearly an entire calendar year of hockey, a crucial stage in a young player’s development. Gabriel has persevered and his hard work has paid off with his recall to the Kings.At 6’3 and 205 pounds, Gabriel has been a dominant player at every level from his lone season at CIHA (57 points in 32 games) to his three years in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires and hometown Kingston Frontenacs (157 points in 143 games) and a Memorial Cup Championship with Windsor in 2017.All eyes will be on Gabriel tonight as he makes CIHA history as our first alum to play an NHL regular season game!