L.A. Kings prospect Braden Doyle excited for season with USHL Dubuque

The Los Angeles Kings selected Braden Doyle in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Draft. (Stephen Gassman)

Braden Doyle initially thought about going to Vancouver for the 2019 National Hockey League draft. Instead, the defenseman who turned 18 years old on Aug. 24 stayed home in Lynnfield, Mass.

“I didn’t know if I was going to get drafted or how high I was going to go if I did,” reminisced Doyle, who’s entering his first full season with the United States Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. “I stayed home so if I got drafted I’d be able to celebrate with my friends and family.”

Gathered around the television with his relatives and pals, Doyle received a text from his agent, Matt Keator, who was at the draft.

“He said, ‘You’re coming up soon,’” Doyle revealed. “Then I saw my name on TV.”