Drew Doughty’s Olympic selection getting rave reviews

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Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, the youngest player chosen for the Canadian Olympic hockey team at a few weeks past 20, won’t be made available to comment about his selection until after the Kings’ game-day skate this morning at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

But others are speaking about him in glowing tones.

Team Canada coach Mike Babcock, the former Ducks coach, said selectors had no qualms picking so young a player who’s in only his second NHL season.

‘The great players get better so fast,’ he said. ‘He has unbelievable poise, and he’s great in his own zone.

‘He’s going to be a difference-maker. He can really shoot the pill.’

Calgary right wing Jarome Iginla, who was among the 13 forwards chosen, was happy at the prospect of having Doughty as a teammate in Vancouver.

‘He’s a great young d-man,’ Iginla said. ‘We don’t get to see him a lot, but what we’ve seen of him already this year, he’s sure playing well.

‘He runs their power play. He has so much composure on it. He’s a tough guy to stop. I really didn’t know what to expect, but I can definitely see he’s had a great year and he’s deserving and a tough guy to stop.’

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott in Calgary, Canada