Emerson Etem was the face of the Southern California hockey movement when he broke into the NHL six years ago. He was the local boy who made it.
Etem was back to scoring goals on his home turf Sunday, but under much different circumstances. Etem is attempting to get back in the NHL, on a tryout contract with the Kings, and he helped his cause with a hat trick in an intrasquad scrimmage at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
It’s been a bumpy road for a player known for his speed. Etem’s 2016-17 season was done after knee surgery, and he ended up with the Swiss club Lugano last season.