LA Kings Sign Portillo to Entry-Level Contract Through 2023-24 Season
4/22/2023 5:24:00 PM | Ice Hockey
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Kings on Saturday (April 22) announced they have signed University of Michigan goaltender Erik Portillo to a two-year entry-level contract through the 2023-24 season worth an average annual value of $875,000.
On April 10, Portillo signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement with the Ontario Reign, the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate.
A 2019 draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Portillo had his rights traded to Los Angeles in March.
Portillo became the starting goaltender for Michigan in his sophomore season in 2021-22. That year, he was named a Mike Richter Award semifinalist, NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player, Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player and a finalist for Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. He led the nation in saves with 1,111 and was second in wins with 31, second in minutes played at nearly 2,500 and fourth in win percentage at .750. His .926 save percentage was ninth in the nation while his goals-against average of 2.14 was 13th -- and he was credited with four assists.
This season, Portillo extended his Big Ten unbeaten streak to eight games, helping U-M to its second Big Ten Tournament championship and Frozen Four appearance. He recorded a .908 save percentage and a 3.00 GAA and had four 40-plus save performances, including a career-best 51-save win against Penn State in January.
A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Portillo finished his Michigan career with a 60-22-3 overall record, .918 save percentage, 2.49 GAA and six assists.
