Last September, at 16, Liam Kindree somewhat reluctantly returned to the Vancouver Northwest Giants for one more season of midget hockey.
In hindsight, it was the best plan of action for both the skilled, young forward and the
Kindree thrived in his final season in the B.C. Major Midget League, as the 5-foot-10, 175-pound North Vancouver native finished atop with with 28 goals and 67 points in 40 games. He was also named the BCMML91裸聊视频檚 top forward.
Armed with an extra supply of confidence and an added year of maturity, Kindree is back with the Rockets and ready to launch his rookie season in the Western Hockey League.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 obviously tough, you don91裸聊视频檛 ever not want to make a team, but there91裸聊视频檚 a reason they sent me back,91裸聊视频� said Kindree, a fourth-round pick of the Rockets in the 2015 bantam draft. 91裸聊视频淚t was motivation for me and a real confidence booster to do what I did last year.
91裸聊视频淚 feel a huge difference this time at camp, I91裸聊视频檓 playing with confidence, I want the puck more91裸聊视频91裸聊视频檓 just really excited to be here.91裸聊视频�
Just as the Rockets did with a 16-year-old Kole Lind three years ago, Kelowna returned Kindree to midget hockey for an extra year of seasoning.
Rockets assistant coach Kris Mallette said the benefits of the move have been evident in Kindree91裸聊视频檚 play so far in training camp.
91裸聊视频淲hen we sent him back as a 16-year-old, our staff challenged him to be the best player there,91裸聊视频� Mallette said of Kindree, who played in seven regular season games and one in the playoffs with the Rockets last season. 91裸聊视频淲ith the kind of year he had, he obviously took that to heart.
91裸聊视频淗e came back in much better shape, he really took last season and the summer seriously, and he really wants to be here and contribute. He91裸聊视频檚 worked hard and he91裸聊视频檚 looked really good at camp so far.91裸聊视频�
As is most often the case for young players breaking into the lineup, ice time will likely be at a premium for Kindree and opportunities will have to be earned as the season progresses.
Mallette said Kindree is in the same boat as a handful of young Rockets forwards who will be expected to learn the ropes91裸聊视频攐n and off the ice91裸聊视频攚hile also exercising both patience and persistence.
91裸聊视频淥ur expectation is for him to come in and get his feet wet, learn and continually improve his game,91裸聊视频� Mallette said. 91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a learning curve involved and it91裸聊视频檚 about paying your dues. Our youngest guys are going to play limited roles compared to where they came from and you hope they adapt, both on and off the ice.
91裸聊视频�(Liam) has good vision, a good hockey IQ and a real good skill set,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淔rom what we91裸聊视频檝e seen, he91裸聊视频檚 ready to take that step. He91裸聊视频檚 come back stronger and will be more prominent.91裸聊视频�
For Kindree91裸聊视频檚 part, he said he91裸聊视频檒l make the best of whatever ice time comes his way and is open to filling whatever roles the coaches ask of him.
Above all, Kindree is simply excited to be getting his major junior career off the ground.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to be expecting not to play a lot, but I91裸聊视频檓 definitely going to use the confidence I have and try and see if I can move my way up the roster,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淢ost importantly, I91裸聊视频檓 happy to be here and playing hockey in Kelowna.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a beautiful city and being able to call this home for the next eight months, it91裸聊视频檚 going to be really special.91裸聊视频�
Kindree and his Rockets teammates will open the WHL preseason schedule Saturday night at Prospera Place against the Victoria Royals. Face off is 7 p.m.
