No. 3 – RW Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
The playoffs tend to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Generally, the higher seeded team is favoured, but if parity is present, theoretically anyone can win. There is no advantage for winning a division and the Kelowna Rockets learned that the hard way.
Kole Lind and his squad played in two games this week. They had to win at least one of those games to keep their season alive. Unfortunately, they could not pull it off. Kelowna lost both games 5-3, allowing Tri-City to complete the sweep and eliminate the Rockets.
Lind had a goal and three assists this week in his losing efforts. With his season over, he signed an ATO with the Utica Comets and will report there shortly. The Comets could certainly use the reinforcements as Nikolay Goldobin and Tyler Motte won’t return until next week.
I am very interested to see how Lind will adjust to the AHL. The game is so much faster and Lind will be lighter than the other pros around him. Skating is so important in the modern game and the transition from junior to the minor leagues can come as a shock.
Playoffs are on the horizon for the Comets, so I can’t wait to see how he does. I just hope Lind gets enough opportunities like Jake Virtanen did with Travis Green back then. He could just as easily sit for most of the games if Trent Cull does not deem him ready. Whatever happens, I am still excited to see how this plays out.