Lind elevates play in sophomore season with Rockets
by Sam Hill

Lind knows a little something about the difference a year makes. A rookie season that ended with 41 points in 70 games is nothing to shrug at, but Lind’s second season with the Rockets is taking the 18-year-old from Shaunavon, SK to a whole other level. At the halfway point of the season, Lind has already exceeded his point total from last season with 47 points (20G,27A) in 37 games. He is also the team leader in both points and goals, and is tied with Cal Foote for the most assists.

Photography from KelownaNow.com

Humble as can be, Lind attributes a lot of his success to his teammates. “I think a lot of it has to do with the guys I'm playing with. Guys like Dillon Dube - they make me look really good out on the ice, they're really good players and they can make anyone they play with look really good. They've been helping me out a lot this year and I'm really happy with how the season has gone.”

Lind also noted that Tomas Soustal has been a great linemate to work with. “I saw a stat the other day that Tomas Soustal and I have been in on each other's goals 66% of the time or something like that. That's really good. He's a really big body and he works really hard, and he and I have created a lot of offense together.”

An incredible sophomore season seems to be a trend for Lind. In his second season with his previous team, the Saskatoon Contacts, Lind also doubled his point total from his rookie year. What does this guy do in the offseason to improve his game so much year to year?

“I went down to a camp in Florida [this past offseason] with a guy that works with really high up players like Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane,” explained Lind. “He was my skills coach, so I went out to him for a week which was really good. Then I saw him again at the end of summer and then obviously just training and power skating all summer, that always makes you stronger and better.”

Another reason for Lind’s success in year two with the Rockets could likely be his growth, both physically and mentally. Not only has he gotten bigger this year, but he’s also become more intelligent when it comes to understanding WHL play, noticing that the size in the game is a huge part of this league.

Lind is eligible for the upcoming NHL draft, but he’s trying to keep that in the back of his mind for the time being.

“Obviously the draft is really exciting,” said Lind. “Any hockey player that's ever played the game would dream to walk on that stage, and it'd be a real pleasure if I could do that too, but that's something I try not to worry about. I try to just play my game and make the team better, and usually from the team's success comes the personal success. So it’s something I'm looking forward to and hopefully it'll work out for me.”

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A photo posted by kole lind (@kl16_) on Nov 23, 2016 at 6:13pm PST

His teammate, and a player that Lind believes has elevated his game, Dillon Dube thinks that Lind will be sought after in the 2017 draft.

“It makes it easier for me to be with a talented player like Lind,” explained Dube. “He skates very well and he has size to follow it up, which is what every NHL team is looking for. I believe his greatest strength is his shot. He has a great release that catches many goalies off guard, which leads to a lot of success.”

The question now is: How will Lind improve yet again with another year of experience under his belt? Will he be able to continue to increase his scoring capabilities and where will he go in the NHL Entry Draft? Time will tell.