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Jonah Imoo’s father, 46, is his backup goalie in historic AHL debut

French forward Arnaud Briand (L) looks on as Japanese goalkeeper Dusty Imoo falls onto teammate Makoto Kawahira (R) during their men preliminary match at the Nagano Winter Olympics 09 February. The match is at a 2-2 draw in the third period. AFP PHOTO/ROBERT SULLIVAN / AFP / ROBERT SULLIVAN (Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Kings’ goaltending injuries this season have had a trickle-down effect with their minor league team, the AHL’s Ontario Reign.

Jack Campbell was an emergency recall for the Kings after goalie Jeff Zatkoff was injured in a morning skate, leaving the Reign to start 22-year-old prospect Jonah Imoo against San Jose on Saturday night.

It’s his AHL debut, having previously played in the Federal Hockey League and the Southern Professional Hockey League. We’d imagine he’s a little nervous. Luckily, his father will be on hand to calm him down and cheer him on.

As his backup goalie.

Dusty Imoo, 46, is a goalie coach with the Kings organization. He was also a goalie for Japan in the 1998 Winter Olympics. He’s been known to participate in practice if needed, but this time, he has to suit up for the Reign.

From Lindsay Czarnecki of Kings Insider:

“This could set some kind of hockey history,” Reign coach Mike Stothers said following morning skate ahead of tonight’s 6 p.m. game against visiting San Jose. “The son will be backed up by his dad. We’ll have two Imoos on the roster, both on PTOs. … I guess it’s good to have your goalie coach that close, right? He’s on the bench.”

“It is amazing a goalie situation has come up again this early in the season,” Stothers said. “Jonah is going to get his first American Hockey League start. He’s worked hard for the opportunity. It certainly hasn’t come easy to him. It’s not because his dad’s the goalie coach of our team. He’s legitimately put in the time and deserves an opportunity. He’ll go in. It’s a little bit unexpected. We weren’t counting on this happening but maybe it’s better for him. He doesn’t have that much time to think about it. Just go in and play. We’ll see how it goes.”

Good luck to the Imoos. And if things go off the rails for Jonah, our only hope is that Dusty gives him an “ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, LET YOUR FATHER HANDLE THIS” like they’re trying to change a tire together.

Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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