It’s something that was suspected, but now it’s confirmed.
Kole Lind, the Kelowna Rockets leading scorer this past season, won’t be returning to the club next year.
Vancouver Canucks President Trevor Linden broke the news to freelance sports journalist Dhiren Mahiban over the weekend.
“He won’t be back in Kelowna next year, he’s going to be a pro,” Linden explained. “He’s going to be most likely in Utica.”
#Canucks president Trevor Linden tells me Kole Lind won't be going back to junior next season: "He won't be back in Kelowna next year, he's going to be a pro. He's going to be most likely in Utica"
— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) April 21, 2018
Lind is already in Utica, having joined the Comets after Kelowna’s season ended in March.
Just because he joined the team to finish this season didn’t mean he couldn’t return to the junior ranks next season.
Looking good in blue and green! pic.twitter.com/jxWiisJFj9
— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) April 5, 2018
However, Linden’s comments on Saturday confirmed what many Rockets and Canucks fans already suspected, Lind has turned pro for good.
Now, the 20-year-old will either play for the Canucks, Comets or the team’s ECHL affiliate, the Kalamazoo Wings, next year.
Lind finishes his junior career with 204 games played, all with the Rockets, in which he amassed 83 goals and 141 assists for 224 points.
The Shaunavon, SK. native was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Canucks last summer.
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