Claimed:Markus King Rookie Profile

[Kendrick 4,714]

 

Name: Markus Lewis King

Date of Birth: March 7th, 1998

Height: 6’4'

Weight: 204 lbs.

Place of Birth: Victoria, B.C.

Resides: Victoria, B.C.

Position: Goaltender

Number: 35

 

Background

Markus King grew up in the Victoria, B.C. area and hockey was a huge part of his life from the get go. King's parents both worked full time jobs and given that Markus grew a liking to the goaltender position well before his teenage years, the pads were certainly not cheap. Growing up with an older brother allowed Markus to focus on his game from the early age of seven to where he is now. With proper coaching in the greater Victoria, he was able to excel between the pipes and get noticed. Believe it or not he got noticed playing roller hockey with current NHL players and alumni. Every summer Jamie and Jordie Benn throw an outdoor roller hockey competition together and it just so happens one of Markus' friend volunteered him for the goaltender position. The Benn's put a good word in for Markus with some scouts and the WHL came knocking.

 

Victoria had turned out the Benn brothers as well as a few other professional players through the years. When the Markus joined peewee hockey he had a vision of someday being able to just be play junior hockey. His peewee squad the Saanich Braves were not the best team in the area but they did have their own arena and that provided for a hometown feel to the game and the team. Saanich has turned out Adam Cracknell and Matt Irwin who have both made the NHL on different rosters through the years. The Braves play in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.

 

King's tenure with the Braves was a strong one and it is through the partnership with the Benn brothers that he was scouted by some Western Hockey League scouts. He eventually found his way to the WHL's Regina Pats through the bantam draft and has been there ever since. Regina has relied on Tyler Brown and Markus King as a platoon roll for both goaltenders. King is a strong lateral moving goaltender with a quick hockey sense and above average puck handling for a netminder.

 

Strengths

Lateral Movement - Markus' biggest strongpoint is his quick cross crease movements. It allows him to make the desperation save if he is down and out from a cross ice pass. An added bonus is that with his size he covers a majority of the net and can get his glove or blocker on the puck either way.

 

Puck Handling - Watching Martin Brodeur growing up helped Markus develop a knack for giving a great outlet pass to a forward or defender. The ability to move the puck makes him lethal at starting a break out on the power play or even killing off a penalty.

 

Communication - Markus is no stranger to talking with his blue liners and making sure the play flows smoothly. You will not see many breakdowns in his own end because his constant chatter is heard throughout the rink.

 

Weaknesses

Glove - King needs to work on holding his glove properly to avoid "bat in" goals. What we mean is that often times he will swat at the puck instead of absorbing the puck for the save.

 

Positioning - His upright position is a little different from other goalies and at times can pull him out of position on defensive zone face-offs. Players can easily pick the corners on him off a quick draw and light the lamp behind him.

 

Focus - Although he is a great communicator, he does sometimes lose focus and give up an easy goal. He has been known to give up a soft goal and ruin his own shutout from time to time. Don't look for him to lead any league in that category.

 

[Jericho 917]

Claimed