Fansided

Dusty Imoo to backup son Jonah for Ontario Reign

By Sammi Silber

Feb 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of a hockey puck and stick and face off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers defeat the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of a hockey puck and stick and face off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers defeat the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The apple doesn’t appear to fall far from the tree, at least not in the Los Angeles Kings organization.

Due to unique circumstances, Ontario Reign’s goaltending coach Dusty Imoo, father to the Reign’s netminder Jonah, will back up his own son Saturday against the San Jose Barracuda.

After Jonathan Quick was injured at the beginning of the season, Los Angeles made Jeff Zatkoff the starter and recalled veteran Peter Budaj to serve as his backup. To fill the void in the Reign’s crease, the Kings signed Jonah Imoo to a 25-game AHL tryout earlier in October. He was playing back-up to Jack Campbell, but now, he will get time between the pipes due to yet another injury.

Campbell has to report to the Kings after Zatkoff was hurt during practice. With the Reign unable to get another back-up in time for puck drop, Dusty Imoo will step in as the backup for the most creative duo in recent years: father and son.

Jonah spent the majority of his career with the BCHL. The 22-year-old netminder worked his way up to the AHL after short stints in the SPHL and FHL. His last full season came with the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials in 2014-15, where he put up a 3.11 GAA and .910 save percentage in 33 games.

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Father Dusty is a Canadian-born Japanese goalie who played for years in Japanese and Asian hockey leagues. The retired 46-year-old now works as a goaltending coach for the Ontario Reign. Prior to joining the Kings organization in 2015 as their goaltending development coach, he worked with the Montreal AHL-affiliate St. John’s IceCaps.

While the Los Angeles Kings obviously have to upgrade their goaltending depth, this is the top feel-good story so far. The Reign will have one of the most unique goaltending duos Saturday, comprised of a father and son.

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