Josh Kidd enjoyed a taste of the American Hockey League last spring. He wanted more.
Now he will have a season’s worth.
Kidd, 19, ended his four-year Erie Otters’ career today by signing a one-year contract with Manchester, the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H. He begins his first professional season on Saturday, when the Monarchs face Portland, the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate, in Portland, Maine.
“After being here last year and having a good run while I was here, this is where I want to be for further development,” said Kidd, a defenseman, who signed the contract on Sunday. “It’s time to move on.”
Kidd had a goal, four points and a plus-9 rating in nine games with the Monarchs late last season before suffering a concussion that kept him out of the Calder Cup playoffs. He was the Kings’ seventh-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Kidd said he hopes his play this season will lead to a NHL contract.
“There’s a lot of young guys here in their system,” he said. “If I have a good year and I can improve, I think I have a shot to sign a NHL contract in the next year.”
Kidd signed with the Monarchs a week after his agent, Mark Guy, of Newport Sports Management in Mississauga, Ontario, said he expected to begin contract talks. Throughout the offseason and preseason, Kidd remained confident he would sign, even though the Kings had other contract issues to handle.
“I never really went with a mindset of going back to junior,” he said. “It’s a relief to be signed. To get that over with and be able to start my season, I’m happy and real excited to be a part of the team here and to contribute here. It’s a little bit of weight off my shoulders.”
Kidd had 18 goals, 50 points and 229 penalty minutes in 232 games with the Otters. He ranks 10th in franchise history in games played, 10th in points by a defenseman and sixth in goals by a defenseman.
“You form pretty strong bonds with a lot of guys throughout your (OHL) career,” he said. “They become your brothers. But I have 25 new (teammates) to become close with. I’m looking forward to that.”

– Victor Fernandes