The Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms on one-year contracts with the five remaining restriced free agrent forwards; Rich Clune, Trevor Lewis, Corey Elkins, Marc-Andre Cliche and Brad Richardson.
Clune earned two assists and 26 penalty minutes in 14 regular season games with the Kings this past season, his first in the NHL. He also recorded five penalty minutes in four playoff games with the Kings. The 5-10, 198-pound native of Toronto spent the bulk of the season with the American Hockey League's Manchester Monarchs, accumulating 14 points and 126 penalty minutes in 44 games.
Lewis began the 2009-10 season with the Kings and recorded zero points and zero penalty minutes in five games. He was assigned to Manchester and registered seven points and six penalty minutes in 23 regular season games. Lewis suffered an upper body injury Nov. 11 and missed 47 games. The 6-0, 199-pound native of Salt Lake City had nine points, 10 penalty minutes and a team-leading 52 shots in 16 playoff games, helping the Monarchs advance to the AHL's Eastern Conference Finals.
Elkins had one goal in three games with the Kings this past season, his first in the NHL. The 6-3, 216-pound native of West Bloomfield, Mich. recorded 43 points and 24 penalty minutes in 73 regular season games with Manchester. His 43 points was second on Manchester and first among club rookies (10th among AHL rookies).
Cliche played in one game with the Kings last season. He recorded 25 points and 45 penalty minutes in 66 regular season games with Manchester, serving as a team alternate captain. The 6-0, 198-pound native of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec earned two points and eight penalty minutes 12 playoff games with the Monarchs.
Richardson set new regular season career highs for games played, assists and points while skating with the Kings this past season. The 5-11, 195-pound native of Belleville, Ontario, also recorded 11 goals – including a career high four game-winning goals – and 37 penalty minutes. The Kings had a record of 10-0-1 in games when Richardson scored a goal this past season.
Richardson also skated in all six Kings postseason games in 2010, recording one goal, one assist, two points and two penalty minutes. Additionally, he was the Kings nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.
