Call it destiny meets acrimony, the future faces of the franchises fighting for every inch of ice at Staples Center and Honda Center like true frenemies.
For a few weeks last spring, the two formed an unlikely partnership. Vilardi and Jones — the top forward prospects for the Kings and Ducks, respectively — were teammates on the Kingston Frontenancs, joining forces in a junior hockey playoff run. As if cast for a movie, there is the dark-haired Vilardi, a soft-spoken, skilled center and playmaker, with Jones, the edgy, tough, blond-haired winger.
“I think me and him just kind of complemented each other so perfectly,” Jones said.