Adam Kydd leads Dinos into playoffs

“It’s gone pretty well so far,” Kydd said during a phone interview from Calgary. “My first year here was good. My second year, I got hurt and missed quite a bit of time. This year I’ve been healthy and got some confidence early. Once you start scoring and getting assists, it really helps your game.”

Kydd did not come into the season expecting to be one of the top scorers in the league. But he did believe he could have a strong offensive year and help his team win. That goal has clearly been reached.

A big reason for his success has been chemistry with familiar faces. For much of the season, Kydd played on a line with former Rocket Jake Poole. The two carried over the connection they built back in Kelowna.

“We’ve always kind of known where each other are on the ice,” Kydd said. “The coaches saw that and let us play together.”

That line also included centreman Max Stewart, giving the Dinos a skilled and creative group that could generate offence every night.

The season has been impressive for another reason. The Dinos were a very different team when the year began. Kydd said the program brought in 17 new players before the season started.

“That’s a huge change,” he said. “We didn’t really know what to expect. But we found some chemistry early and had a really good first half.”

The second half of the season has been tougher. Calgary has played many of the top teams in the conference and has lost several close games. Still, Kydd believes the group is ready for the challenge ahead.

“In Canada West, the playoffs are short,” he said. “It’s a three-game series. Anyone can win if you get hot at the right time.”

That playoff test starts this weekend.

The Dinos will face the MacEwan Griffins in the Canada West quarter-final series. It is a best-of-three matchup, and Kydd will lead the team into the series wearing the captain’s C.

The leadership role means a lot to him.

“You want to set a good example every day,” Kydd said. “You want to work hard, be positive and help the younger guys feel comfortable.”

While his focus is on the playoffs, Kydd still looks back often on where his hockey journey really took shape.

He joined the Rockets after being acquired from the Calgary Hitmen, and quickly became an important part of the Kelowna lineup. He still remembers the simple routines of junior life and the many nights skating at Prospera Place.

“It feels like a long time ago, but at the same time it feels like yesterday,” Kydd said. “So many good memories. I loved my time in Kelowna.”

Those memories include playing alongside players who are now also finding success in university hockey.

One of them is Jake Lee, who now plays at UBC and is one of the top scoring defencemen in the conference.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Kydd said. “He was always really skilled and really good with the puck. It’s fun playing against him now.”

Away from the rink, Kydd has been just as busy.

He is in his third year at the University of Calgary, studying in the School of Business. This spring, he will graduate, finishing his degree in only three years.

“I realized I could finish early if I took some spring and summer classes,” he said. “I also had some classes done before I came to university when I was still playing junior.”

Kydd has also earned academic recognition through U Sports, which honours student athletes who keep a high grade point average.

He says time management has been the biggest change since leaving junior hockey.

“You’re living on your own, you’ve got school, hockey and everything else,” he said. “You really have to stay organized.”

This will be Kydd’s final season with the Dinos. After the playoffs, he plans to look for professional hockey opportunities.

“I definitely want to keep playing,” he said. “I feel like my game has grown a lot here. I’m ready for the next step.”

At the same time, he knows his business degree will be important when hockey eventually ends. Being in Calgary has opened his eyes to future work opportunities, including in the energy industry.

“It gives you a lot of options,” Kydd said. “I just want to learn and find something I enjoy.”

If his schedule allows, Kydd also hopes to return to Kelowna in May when the city hosts the Memorial Cup.

“It would be awesome to come back and see some friends and catch a game,” he said.

For now, his full attention is on leading the Dinos through the playoffs.

by Regan Bartel

Adam Kydd leads Dinos into playoffs

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