Smooth-skating defenseman Oliver Kylington was a full participant in his first practice with the Calgary Flames in more than 18 months on Monday morning.
Kylington, 26, missed the entirety of the 2022–23 season and the first half of 2023–24 while dealing with mental health issues. He recently returned to game action on a conditioning stint with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers and is now back with the Flames as part of his recovery plan.
“I knew that this day was about to come so I was looking forward to it,” Kylington said. “I just tried to really approach it as any other day but it was kind of hard. Yesterday, I had a moment for myself and there was one point in time that I didn’t think I was going to be here.
“It was kind of emotional but in a good way. I was excited to come here today and see everyone and, like I said, just share the ice with everyone and play hockey again.”
The Flames are taking it slowly and one step at a time with Kylington, as they should. But the Swedish rearguard looked sharp in his two games with the AHL club and impressed again in his first skate back with the Flames on Monday, with head coach Ryan Huska saying “he looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.”
Kylington established himself as a mainstay with the Flames back in the 2021–22 season, collecting nine goals and 31 points in 73 games with the Pacific Division champions while primarily skating on a pairing with Chris Tanev.
After the Flames were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs back on May 26, 2022, Kylington signed a two-year, $2.5 million AAV contract to remain with the Flames. But he didn’t show up for training camp ahead of the 2022–23 season and didn’t take part in another formal on-ice session with the Flames again until Monday.
The Flames originally selected Kylington in the second round (No. 60 overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft, trading up from pick 76 to get him. Kylington has skated in 168 career NHL games over parts of five seasons with the Flames, collecting 14 goals and 47 points; he’s added a goal and three points in 13 playoff contests.
Although Kylington likely won’t be in the lineup when the Flames return to action against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, his official return appears to be on the horizon.
“I felt that today felt kind of normal,” Kylington said. “It just felt like I’ve been here so many times. I was just happy, and I got a lot of energy out of it. I just felt like myself again.”
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