Sometimes it takes time and a whole lot of hard work before you can make the NHL and be successful. Now that Los Angeles Kings goalie Jack Campbell is getting that chance, he's determined to make the most of it.
Campbell, who was selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round (No. 11) of the 2010 NHL Draft, played one game for them, in 2013-14, and after spending the next two seasons in the minor leagues, he was traded to the Kings on June 25, 2016. Prior to this season he played six games for the Kings the past two seasons. But an injury to Jonathan Quick has opened the door and Campbell has seized his opportunity.
In three games this season he's 2-1-0 with a 1.35 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage, including a 40-save shutout against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, his first in the NHL. Campbell has earned the trust of the coaches and it's elevated his confidence and his game. After all the time he's spent in the minors, he wants to prove he belongs in the NHL even when Quick returns. It says a lot about Campbell that the Kings called up
Peter Budaj
from Ontario of the American Hockey League when Quick was injured and remember how well he played for them in 2016-17 when Quick was out, but still are using Campbell as their starter.