AHL: Russian Monarchy

Los Angeles Kings prospect Viatcheslav Voynov is the youngest player to ever skate for the team's AHL affiliate in Manchester. Despite his age, Voynov is already playing like a well-seasoned blueliner for the Monarchs. McKeen's correspondent Kevin Hopson has notes on Voynov, as well as Trevor Lewis, Justin Azevedo, Alec Martinez, David Meckler and Jonathan Bernier.

Justin Azevedo (LA), C, Manchester Monarchs

After winning the OHL scoring title in 2007-08, Azevedo has been able to translate some of his junior scoring prowess to the AHL .. he currently leads the Monarchs in points-per-game (1.0) and despite having a losing overall record, Manchester is 6-5 when Azevedo is in the lineup and 4-4 when he registers a point .. Azevedo missed the month of December with a high ankle sprain but has tallied a goal and an assist in two games since returning .. he only stands 5-foot-7, but is built like a pit bull .. Azevedo uses his mass to fight for loose pucks and finish his checks in the attacking zone .. for a center his size, Azevedo is surprisingly victorious in the faceoff circle, as his quick hands and low center of gravity allow him to gain an advantage over his opponent .. Azevedo's burst of speed and lively stickwork make him elusive, though he is vulnerable to being squeezed along the boards and muscled off the puck in open ice .. his offensive success has equated to regular time on the powerplay.

Jonathan Bernier (LA), G, Manchester Monarchs

When Jonathan Quick was called up to the big club in December, Bernier took over fulltime goaltending duties for the Monarchs .. unfortunately, he has gone 4-7-1 since Quick's departure, looking average at best .. Bernier is an effective puckhandler who does not take unnecessary risks when venturing out of his crease .. even when he is faced with a barrage of shots, Bernier seems to be in complete control of the situation .. in fact, his calm demeanor can make it look as if he is not even trying at times .. however, this appearance is due in part to his hybrid (standup/butterfly) style of goaltending .. Bernier does not overexert himself but instead, he uses his instinctive and rapid reflexes to make plays on the puck .. though this method of play can yield some soft goals, Bernier is known for making instrumental saves when the pressure is on .. however, he probably needs more seasoning in Manchester before making the jump to the NHL.

Viatcheslav Voynov (LA), D, Manchester Monarchs

Voynov has already proven to be a valuable commodity on the blueline and despite playing in only 28 games, he is the team's top scoring defenseman with 12 points .. though he does not possess exceptional skating skills, Voynov's efficient footwork allows him to rush the ice when the opportunity arises .. however, he prefers to move the puck with his defined passing game, as he is capable of making a tape-to-tape delivery from one blueline to the other .. his shot does not always find its intended target but he is developing a solid slapshot from the point, which has become especially useful on the man advantage .. Voynov also possesses some decent stickhandling abilities .. when combined with his quick decision-making in the defensive end, he can successfully evade forecheckers on a regular basis.

Trevor Lewis (LA), C/RW, Manchester Monarchs

The Monarchs rank 25th in the league in scoring but Lewis has been one of the team's bright spots so far this season .. his 28 points and five powerplay goals both lead the team .. Lewis is a speedy center who wins battles by out hustling his opponents .. when defenders are clogging up the neutral zone, Lewis can dump and chase with the best of them, sometimes beating two guys to the puck all by himself .. it is this type of tenacity that allows him to create so many quality scoring opportunities, in addition to being effective in the defensive end .. his astute vision and bull's-eye precision in the passing game only make matters worse for opponents .. the one area of improvement is in the faceoff department where he continues to lack consistency .. since he is a special teams player (PP and PK) and takes key draws in these situations, it is important that he finds a way to flourish more in this role.

Alec Martinez (LA), D, Manchester Monarchs

Martinez is probably the most gifted offensive defenseman on the team .. his smooth skating stride, agility and acceleration make him a prime candidate for bringing the puck up ice .. fortunately, he possesses the puckhandling dexterity to make this happen .. Martinez can hit the opposing blueline and pressure defenders deep in the zone .. he can also trail the play in hopes of unleashing a powerful and accurate slapshot from the point .. his concise passing game and lethal slapshot buy him significant time on the powerplay .. as luck would have it, Martinez's maneuverability also makes him a formidable defenseman .. given his skating ability, it is difficult to beat him 1-on-1 .. if Martinez has a fault, it is that he can lose focus at times and make sloppy passes and/or decisions.

David Meckler (LA), RW, Manchester Monarchs

Meckler may not get all of the glory but his industrious two-way play definitely gets the attention of his coaches .. the fact is that if you were to watch Meckler play on television, you would probably never see him leave your screen .. he is constantly working on the forecheck and is almost always one of the first guys back to defend .. Meckler is also an offensive threat, as he knows how to position himself away from the puck and can let loose a quick and heavy shot in the open space he creates .. his grit down low and commendable game in all three zones is what defines Meckler as a player.