California is in the spotlight for NHL entry draft

It’s the perfect moment for the NHL to stage its annual entry draft in California for the first time. Several California-born-and-trained players will be claimed in the draft, which begins Friday with the first round and concludes Saturday with the remaining six rounds. In addition to Emerson Etem, here are some other names to know:

Beau Bennett

The right wing from Gardena is ranked No. 32 by NHL’s Central Scouting. He led the British Columbia Hockey League in scoring last season with 120 points in 56 games. “I definitely got challenged to a lot of fights throughout the year because I was from California. That’s part of the game,” he said.

Jason Zucker

The forward from Las Vegas is ranked No. 51. At age 10, he moved to L.A. and played two seasons for the L.A. Hockey Club.

Jacob Fallon

The speedy winger whose hometown is Riverside shoots left-handed and is ranked No. 68. He played for the L.A. Selects.

Taylor Aronson

Ranked No. 88 and from Placentia, he is a former Junior Kings defenseman who played for Portland of the Western Hockey League last season.

--Helene Elliott