MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, have signed right wing J.D. Watt to a one-year American Hockey League contract, Monarchs Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced today.

Watt, 24, has spent the last three season splitting time between the AHL and the ECHL, playing with the Abbotsford Heat (AHL), San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Quad City Flames (AHL), Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) and the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).  The 6-foot-2, 196-pound native of Cremona, Alberta recorded 35 points (15-20=35) and 555 penalty minutes in 168 professional games since 2008.

Selected in the fourth-round (111th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Watt played five seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants, Red Deer Rebels and Regina Pats before turning pro.  Watt collected 141 points (62-79=141) and 763 penalty minutes in 255 WHL games.  He was a member of the 2006 WHL Championship and 2007 Memorial Cup Championship, both with the Giants.