Kalan Lind will make his return to the Red Deer Rebels lineup this weekend after being sidelined for much of the 2024-25 Western Hockey League season.
The six-foot-one, 150-pound forward hasn't played in a game since Oct. 9 due to a lingering lower-body injury. It's been tough sitting on the sidelines for more than a month, he said.
"It definitely sucks not getting to play in the games. You're sitting up there, watching the guys battle on the ice — it's hard," said Lind, who was selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft
Lind won't have to wait much longer, as he's scheduled to play in Saturday, Nov. 23's matchup against the Victoria Royals at the Peavey Mart Centrium — puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
"It's so exciting to get back into the lineup. It's been a long time coming," said Lind.
"I'm super exited to get back with the guys and do what I can to help us win. I'm going to do what I usually do — I'm going to play hard and be around the net trying to score goals. I'm going to be physical, get in guys' faces and play my game."
Lind has played in just three WHL games this season and has been held off the score sheet. Last season he had 16 goals and 45 points in 46 games, in addition to eight points in nine playoff games.
His return comes at a pressing time for the Rebels, as the team is looking to get back into the win column after going 0-4-2 road trip through the United States.
Rebels head coach David Struch said he expects Lind to bring grit and energy to the lineup.
"There are going to be some aspects to his game, such as his timing and conditioning, that are going to factor into his play for sure. But there's no question that there's going to be an injection of energy (with Lind back in the lineup)," said Struch.
"He's had a good week of practice this week. ... It'll be great for us going into (Saturday)."
Red Deer currently has a 9-9-1-2 record on the season. Struch said he wants to see Rebels players find more consistency in their game.
"We've been competing, we've been battling. We definitely have to work on finishing. We've had opportunities to score, but we need more consistency in our overall game. We've seen the positive side of what happens when we play the right way. We just have to do more of it," he said.
After hosting the Royals on Saturday, the Rebels will travel to Edmonton to battle the Oil Kings on Sunday, Nov. 24. That game begins at 4 p.m.
Friday, the Rebels also added defenceman Dmitri Toporowski to their roster as an affiliate player. Toporowski, 18, is eligible to play three games as an unsigned AP. The six-foot-one, 187-pound blueliner from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts has played 16 games and has recorded nine points with the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior A Hockey League.
He was originally drafted in the first round, 21st overall in the 2021 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. Two of his cousins, Jake and Luke played in the WHL. Luke now plays with the Iowa Wild of the AHL. His father, Shayne, played in the WHL for the Raiders in the mid-90s.