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“I know quite a few guys on the team, so it will be weird playing on the opposite side”, Golder told RocketFAN before the puck was dropped. “That was the best I’ve played [WHL championship series]. I scored a few goals and picked up a few points.”

Golder was being awfully modest, considering the converted d-man to forward led the Oil Kings in points in a championship series win over the Seattle Thunderbirds.

“I treat playoffs like any other game”, Golder added. “My dad always says to be hard on them [opposition] and don’t turn down any open checks.”

Golder, returning to his old stomping grounds after originally being acquired from the Victoria Royals, scored a goal and was named the first star in a junior hockey game he will never forget.

The soft-spoken forward, who is extremely chatty when a mic isn’t placed in front of his face, was acquired along with a third-round bantam pick back in November for 18-year-old Rilen Kovacevic.

Golder now has 25 goals, and is one of 12 overage players across the WHL this season with +25 tallies, with Prince George Cougars forward Chase Wheatcroft leading the way with an eye-popping 39.

Thirteen of Golder’s goals this season have come on the road.

What is more impressive, is the Smithers BC resident has recorded a shot in every game he is played this season, including a career high nine in Vancouver on January 20th.

Also getting his fair share of love by an opposition team this past weekend, in a visit to Central Alberta, was Kelowna Rockets forward Adam Kydd.

Returning to Calgary on Sunday to play against the Hitmen, the well-spoken Regina product was also recognized on the video screen at Scotia Bank Saddledome during the first period.

“Super excited”, Kydd told RocketFAN before the game. “It is great to be back. I had a great couple of years here [Calgary]. This rink is one of a kind. Getting to see the NHL guys, just behind the scenes and watching other teams come in and watch their morning skate, seeing all the best players in the world, it was pretty cool.”

Kydd was dealt from the Hitmen to the Rockets last season for Steel Quiring, who was eventually traded twice after that to Everett and then Regina.

“I was surprised at the trade”, Kydd reflected on the transaction. “You always know there is a chance of being traded around that deadline, but it caught me off guard, but I am super glad it happened. I’ve met a whole new team of guys and I’ve had a great experience in Kelowna.”

Both Golder and Kydd have something in common. Neither was selected in the WHL Prospects Draft, yet both are point-a-game players in their final seasons in the league.

“I wasn’t putting too much thought into the draft at the time. I was still feeling it out, and wasn’t completely sold on going major junior”, Kydd said honestly. “I was playing hockey because I loved the game, and the next thing I knew I was playing at the Saddledome in front of thousands of fans.”

Listed by the Hitmen, Kydd would make his WHL debut against the Swift Current Broncos in September 21, 2019 before scoring two goals and being named the first star four games into his rookie season.

Kydd is one goal shy of the 18 he scored a season ago and is 9 points off his career high 52 split between the Rockets and Hitmen last season.

Scoring two goals in a five-game playoff series loss to Seattle in the 2022 playoffs, like Golder, Kydd will be looked upon to lead the team offensively when the real season starts on March 31st.

The Rockets’ other graduating player is Talyn Boyko.

The goaltender returns to Kennewick, Washington one last time to face his old team, the Tri-City Americans, on March 12th.

He too deserves some love from the team that originally drafted him in the third round back in 2017.

Stay tuned.

by Regan Bartel

Back to where it all began

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