ECHL: Kyle Masters Heads To USports

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Armand Klisivitch | Last updated Jul 21, 2026 11:58 AM ET

Defenseman Kyle Masters is joining the University of Alberta (USports) for the 2026-27 season. Masters, 23, put up three assists in 10 games with the Wichita Thunder before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in January. He would spent most of his time in the Hurricanes organization with the Greensboro Gargoyles, but wouldn’t see any action as he was rehabbing a knee injury he suffered early in the seasons. The Edmonton, Alberta, native would then be traded to the Anaheim Ducks in the deal that sent John Carlson to the Hurricanes and then would be traded back to Carolina in exchange for forward Noah Philip three days later.

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Masters was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and spent his first two seasons with the organization splitting his time between the AHL and ECHL. In 69 games with the Iowa Heartlanders, he would put up nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points. He would add two assists during the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs. During his time in the AHL with the Iowa Wild, he had a goal and five assists for six points in 35 games.

Junior Career

Prior to going pro, Masters spent parts of four seasons in the WHL. He spent his first three seasons with the Red Deer Rebels, where he had five goals and 22 assists for 27 points in 109 games. In 10 playoff games with the Rebels, he had two assists. Masters would be traded to the Kamloops Blazers, where he would spent his final season in the WHL. In 66 games with the Blazers, he had 11 goals and 54 assists for 65 points, while adding a goal and six assists for seven points in 14 playoff games. The Blazers would make the Memorial Cup where Masters had an assist in two games.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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