Kings Assign Jonathan Bernier to Manchester

[Thrillhouse]

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have assigned goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Manchester Monarchs (American Hockey League), Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Bernier, 19, most recently played for the Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL), where in 48 regular season games he posted a 18-12-3 record, a 2.73 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. His 2.73 goals-against average ranked second in the QMJHL and his .908 save percentage was fifth (among goaltenders with more than 1,000 minutes played). He also appeared in six playoff games, as Lewiston was eliminated in the first round by Cape Breton in six games.

Bernier started the season with the Kings, where in four games he went 1-3-0 (his first NHL win came on September 29) with a 4.03 goals-against-average and .864 save percentage. He earned the victory in his NHL debut on September 29 against Anaheim in London, England.

The 5-11, 177-pound native of Laval, Quebec, was also a member of Team Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championship held in the Czech Republic in January. He went 1-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average, one shutout and a .947 save percentage in two appearances, helping Team Canada win the gold medal.

Bernier was originally selected by the Kings in the first-round (11th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

[Purely_Purinton]

I thought Junior aged players couldn't be sent to the AHL?

[Y Ddraig Goch]

Originally Posted by Purely_Purinton

I thought Junior aged players couldn't be sent to the AHL?

They can after their junior seasons are over.

Lewiston got beat 4-2 by Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the first round of the QMJHL play-offs.