Champion LA Kings select Tanner Pearson with final pick of NHL draft's 1st round

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Los Angeles Kings have chosen left wing Tanner Pearson with the 30th pick of the first round of the NHL draft.

The Stanley Cup champions made the final selection of the first round on Friday night.

The 19-year-old Pearson is a late bloomer by NHL draft standards. He was draft-eligible for the third time after failing to get picked in each of the past two years, but a dynamic performance for the OHL's Barrie Colts propelled him into the Kings' interest.

Pearson had 37 goals and 54 assists in 60 games for Barrie last season, finishing third in the OHL in scoring. He also played well for Canada at the World Junior Championships.

Columbus could have claimed Los Angeles' pick as part of the trade that sent forward Jeff Carter to the Kings, but declined.