King-Cunningham signs with Vancouver Giants

Not only did he sign last week, but he also played in two games for Vancouver this past weekend, which included netting his first career point in his second career game.

The assist came after his low point shot found its way to the boards where teammate Ty Ronning threw it in front and Bartek Bison redirected it in.

“To get a point, even to play a game, I just don’t know what to say about it,” King-Cunningham said. “It was unbelievable… and a feeling I’ve never experienced before.”

Despite how quickly he found the scoresheet, King-Cunningham knows the team didn’t sign him for his offensive abilities.

He knows they want him to do what he does best: annoy the other team.

“They said that’s my role: to be aggressive, to get on guys’ nerves and get under guys’ skin,” the Pilot Butte, Sask., native said. “I’ll bring a little bit more edge and grit to the blueline so I think that’s what they’re looking for from me.”

In fact, those are pretty much the exact words that Giants general manager Glen Hanlon used to describe King-Cunningham in the team’s press release from Feb. 25.

“He’s a big, physical defenceman who we hope can bring some added edge and grit to our back end,” Hanlon said. “We’re excited to add Austin to our group.”

This season with the Stars, King-Cunningham had three different head coaches in one season. Darren Martens was hired over the summer but let go just days before the regular season in favour of Jean Fauchon, and then weeks before the end of the regular season Fauchon was let go in favour of Norm Johnston.

The Stars missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12 and are currently seeking a new head coach for next season.

“It was a rough year not making playoffs,” King-Cunningham said. “Tough with all the coaches… but I think most of the guys handled it well and adjusted well.

“The Stars [are] a great organization. All the guys were good. I took away a lot from the team and the league and I improved my game and controlled my temper.”

King-Cunningham will play with the Giants on Wednesday, but after that the plan is to fly home to Saskatchewan.

The contract is a great step forward, but just like everything in hockey, nothing is given as King-Cunningham still has to try-out to make the Giants next season along with everyone else.

“Next year I won’t be as nervous coming into camp and I’ll kind of know what everything is like so it’s good to get those few [games] out of the way,” he said. “I’m going to have to come out here in my best shape and condition and try to crack this squad just like anybody else.”

The Giants face the Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday.

Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

@NathanKanter11

by Nathan Kanter

King-Cunningham signs with Vancouver Giants

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