Homegrown goalie ready for takeoff

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This article was published 27/06/2017 (3007 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He may be the feel-good story of Winnipeg Jets development camp. But Cole Kehler isn’t just happy to be here; he’s out to prove he belongs.

The 19-year-old goaltender from Altona is one of eight undrafted players invited by the Jets to join their top prospects in the week-long event being held at Bell MTS Iceplex. It’s quite a step for the wide-eyed kid whose family has Jets season tickets and who fondly recalls participating in the playoff whiteout two years ago as a fan when the Jets took on the Anaheim Ducks.

“It’s just really special for them to notice me and recognize I had a good season and invite me here. To be here is such an honour, you know. You see the NHL and for them to recognize you as a prospect of that league, that’s something that is very special,” Kehler said following Tuesday’s session. He’s the only Manitoba product at the camp, as Jets draft pick Jordy Stallard (from Brandon) is recovering from shoulder surgery.

“Obviously, I’m very happy to be invited. But I don’t want to be content with that. I want to make a statement. Obviously, I’ve chosen to be a professional hockey player, that’s the route I want to take. I’m here and want to leave a good impression on everyone,” he said.

Kehler spent last season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. He started the year as a backup, but eventually took over the starting role, appearing in 56 games. He had a 32-17-3 record along with a 3.10 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

“I came into Portland and didn’t really know what to expect. I just kind of ran with it and got the job from there,” said Kehler, who spent the previous season playing Junior A in B.C. with the Merritt Centennials.

Kehler laughed as he described attending Rick St. Croix’s goalie camps for five years, beginning when he was just eight, because there was St. Croix — currently the goalie coach of the Manitoba Moose — on the ice with him Tuesday.

“It’s kind of a neat connection to have, seeing Rick again. And he kinda gets to see what I’m like when I’m all grown up,” he said.

Kehler said he plans to be a sponge this week and soak in every bit of advice he can, then use that when he returns to camp this fall with Portland in what will be his final year of junior eligibility.

“I really want to be the go-to guy in Portland again. I think we’re going to have a good shot at making a run for the Memorial Cup,” he said.

“I can take this experience and maybe try to be a bit of a leader as I will be a bit of an older guy there. Just try to grab every ounce of knowledge I can from everybody here. Just learn as much as possible and try to make that next step.”

Exactly what that step will be remains to be seen. Kehler hopes to open some eyes this week and eventually turn that into a free-agent contract with an organization down the road.

There are a few familiar faces on the ice with him during development camp, including Portland teammate Skyler McKenzie, who the Jets just selected with their seventh-round pick last weekend in Chicago.

The 5-8 McKenzie had 42 goals and 42 assists last year with the Winterhawks.

“They’ve got a good player there for sure. He’s relentless on the puck. He’s a fast, skilled forward. He might be small, but he’s got a big heart and a lot of grit to his game.

“He’s definitely a very good hockey player,” Kehler said.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @mikeoncrime