Kings Empire Classic: NHL Returns to Ontario | Toyota Arena

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Ontario reign fans to Get exclusive NHL Preseason Action with LA Kings

The upcoming “Empire Classic” offers a unique opportunity for hockey fans in the Inland Empire to experience NHL action, a sentiment echoed by players and team officials alike. This preseason contest holds particular meaning as it provides a rare glimpse of top-tier hockey in a region primarily served by the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign.

A Special Atmosphere in the Inland Empire

Jim hiller, head coach of the LA Kings, first experienced the fervent atmosphere of an Ontario hockey game from above during the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Despite the Kings’ own postseason elimination, Hiller was deeply impressed by the energy surrounding the Reign’s run to Round 3 – their first appearance since 2016. “What a crowd,” he recalled. “I came away from that, the building was electric, what a place to play in the American League.”

Hiller emphasized the strong support from local fans, noting their consistent presence and enthusiasm at reign games. “Their fans support our American League team and the games we’ve played in there, they’ve been loud for us. Its a terrific hockey market, I love the building, so we’re always excited to get out there.”

A Unique Preseason Experience

Tomorrow’s game, dubbed the Empire Classic, is poised to deliver a particularly charged atmosphere.While preseason games in NHL arenas frequently enough draw sparse crowds anticipating the regular season, AHL markets offer a different dynamic. For ontario, this game represents a primary opportunity to witness NHL-caliber hockey firsthand.

The contest will feature a mix of established NHL players and rising prospects, offering fans a preview of the Kings’ upcoming season. While the full NHL roster won’t be present, the game promises a high level of competition and excitement. According to Hiller, “It adds a little bit of electricity to the building and I think it gets the players going a little bit more.” He added that even veteran players appreciate the unique energy of the Ontario crowd.

Did you know?– The Empire classic provides a rare opportunity for Inland Empire fans to see NHL action, as the region is primarily served by the AHL’s Ontario Reign.

A Familiar Venue for Rising Stars

The connection between the Kings and the Reign runs deep, with 14 players on the 2025 training camp roster having played for both teams. This shared history adds another layer of significance to tomorrow’s game.

Alex Turcotte highlighted the importance of the Ontario fanbase in his development. He remembered the electric atmosphere during the 2024 playoff run.”They showed up every night,” he said of the fans. Turcotte, who spent four seasons with the Reign, totaling 126 regular-season games and 13 playoff appearances, feels a strong connection to the community. “Obviously a lot of us went through there, so they saw us when we were just getting here and starting off our pro careers, they’ve seen us grow up almost,” he explained. “I’m sure they’ll really enjoy seeing guys on the Kings that went up through there, playing in front of them again on a different level.”

Pro tip:– Keep an eye out for players who have previously played for the Ontario Reign, as 14 members of the Kings’ 2025 training camp roster have ties to the team.

Brandt Clarke,a standout defenseman for the Reign,echoed Turcotte’s sentiments. Clarke, a 2024 AHL All-Star with 44 points in 48 games, expressed his excitement at the possibility of returning to Toyota arena. “If I’m fortunate enough to play, I’ll be excited to do that,” Clarke said. “I love being out there, the fans are always awesome and I’m so appreciative of my time there, everyone I met was so kind. If I can go play again there, put on a good show for the fans, that’d be awesome.”

Reader question:– Why is this preseason game so special for Ontario Reign fans? As it’s a primary opportunity to see NHL-caliber hockey firsthand in a region primarily served by the AHL.