Red Deer Rebels’ Ben King drafted by Anaheim Ducks

Bains signed with the Ducks’ Pacific Division rival Vancouver earlier this year, perhaps meaning the two could battle often in the years to come.

King also led the WHL with 24 power play goals and 15 game winners this past season, good enough for second-best in WHL history, and just one back of the single-season record.

King was named to the Central Division First All-Star Team and as Central Division Player of the Year.

Prior to being drafted by Anaheim, King, who turned 20 in May, attended Calgary Flames prospects camp in 2021.

King was traded to Red Deer by the Swift Current Broncos in November 2019.

In 206 WHL regular season games, King has recorded 89 goals, 116 assists and 205 points, along with 150 penalty minutes and 35 power play goals. He’s also tallied 636 shots on goal.

King added four goals and six assists in 10 playoff games this past post-season.

He could return to Red Deer as an over-ager unless he plays in either the NHL or AHL.

With King’s selection, it means the Rebels have produced NHL draft selections in 28 of the last 30 drafts. The club had gone 26 seasons straight from 1993-2018 with at least one selection, but then had none in 2019 or 2020.

King is not the first Rebel to be selected by the Anaheim Ducks; in 2016, Josh Mahura went in the third round; in 2001, Joel Stepp went in the third round to the then Mighty Ducks; in 1998, Stephen Peat was selected in the second round; Peter Leboutillier went in the sixth round in 1995; and in 1994, the Ducks selected Craig Reichert in the third round, then Byron Briske in the fourth round.

A total of 28 WHL players were selected in the 2022 NHL Draft, including Moose Jaw Warriors forward Jagger Firkus, who is from Irma, and was taken by Seattle; and Stettler native Daylan Kuefler, a forward for the Kamloops Blazers, who was taken by Vegas.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer Rebels’ Ben King drafted by Anaheim Ducks

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