After missing all of last season with an undisclosed personal issue, Oliver Kylington is expected to suit up for his first professional game this season. He has been practicing with the Calgary Wranglers for the last few days and will make his first appearance with the team tonight as they take on the Ontario Reign.
Kylington’s hockey hiatus
Before the start of the 2022–23 season, it was announced that Kylington would miss the first bit of the season. It was later announced that he was in Sweden, where he would remain for the balance of the season. While a video did appear on his Instagram working out in April 2023, he did not hit the ice that season.
It was announced after the season that Kylington was excited to be back for this season, 2023–24, but it was announced in the preseason that he would ultimately miss the start of the season.
Kylington started practicing with the Flames on December 1. Since then, he has remained with the Flames, skating late with the team’s injured players and typically with Michael Stone.
It has been nearly two years since Kylington has played professional hockey, but he looks to be in dynamic shape. He was then sent down to the Wranglers on a conditioning stint late last week but did not appear in either of the team’s two games over the weekend.
Per the CBA, teams can send a player down who has been on LTIR for the lesser of three games or six days. Teams can apply for an extension of two more games should they feel necessary. Today would be the seventh day that Kylington has been in the AHL, meaning the Flames almost certainly got an extension for two more games.
What to expect from Kylington in his first game back
The Calgary Wranglers face off against the Ontario Reign at the Scotiabank Saddledome tonight and Kylington should be in the lineup.
According to line rushes from practice, Kylington should be playing on the team’s top pairing, playing alongside Colton Poolman. Poolman is a big defensive defenceman, which complements Kylington’s style, but the fact that he is expected to log heavy minutes shows the trust that the team has in him.
Kylington is also expected to quarterback the team’s top power play, setting up a unit of AHL All-Star Matt Coronato, Emilio Pettersen, Cole Schwindt, and Adam Klapka. Yet another sign of the team’s faith in their blueliner.
Despite this being the AHL, do not expect Kylington to record a hat-trick or do anything miraculous. Indeed, the fact that he is back on the ice is a blessing. If Kylington can show that he can play a good game, log decent minutes, and build some confidence in himself and his coaches, it bodes very well for his return to the NHL ice soon.
Further, Kylington will be available to media after the game, so everyone will hear more from the defenceman himself!
