Kellan Lain

Kellan Lain
Lain playing for the Utica Comets in 2013
Born August 11, 1989
Oakville, ON, CAN
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 217 lb (98 kg; 15 st 7 lb)
Position Center/Left Wing
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams 		Edmonton Oilers
Oklahoma City Barons (AHL)
Vancouver Canucks
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–present

Kellan Lain (born August 11, 1989) is a Canadian ice hockey forward. He is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Lain played junior A hockey for the Oakville Blades in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). He helped the team to two Royal Bank Cup tournaments and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2010 Dudley Hewitt Cup. Following his junior career Lain played three seasons of college hockey Lake Superior State. After graduating Lain signed as a free agent with the Canucks, while under contract with the Canucks Lain played for their AHL affiliates the Chicago Wolves and the Comets.

Playing career

As a youth Lain was cut by three midget AAA teams in Ontario in part due to a lack of size. He decided to play High School hockey for T. A. Blakelock. Lain grew over a foot in High School and after graduating he joined the junior A Oakville Blades in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).[1] In his first season with the Blades Lain helped the team reach the Royal Bank Cup,[2] a tournament for the Canadian Junior A national championship. Oakville finished in last place winning only one game in the tournament. During his second season in Oakville Lain nearly doubled his point production going from 22 to 42 points. He received a scholarship to play for Lake Superior State University (LSSU).[3] During the playoffs Lain fell onto a Wellington Dukes goaltender. His left wrist landed on the goaltender's skate slicing his ulnar artery. The injury required two surgeries and over nine moths of rehabilitation.[4] Instead of going to LSSU following his rehab Lain joined the Blades for the end of their season.[5] Lain was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Dudley Hewitt Cup,[2] helping the Blades qualify for the 2010 Royal Bank Cup. In the tournament Oakville again finished last after failing to win a game.

Lain during his tenure with the Chicago Wolves

Following the completion of his junior playing career Lain played college hockey for the Lake Superior State Lakers. He played three seasons for the Lakers registering 21 goals, 39 points, and 210 penalty-minutes in 108 games. While Lain was playing in Oakville he took college courses. He transferred the college credits to LSSU which helped him to graduate in three years.[5] After graduating Lain garnered interest from four National Hockey League (NHL) teams, ultimately deciding to sign with the Vancouver Canucks on a one-year contract.[6][7] While he did not put up big offensive numbers at LSSU Vancouver was interested in Lain because they liked his size, face-off abilities, his physical play.[5]

Upon signing with Vancouver Lain joined their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.[8] He played in 13 games for Chicago and did not register a point.[9] Though he failed to score Lain was re-signed by Vancouver in the off-season to a two-way two-year $1.2 million contract.[7] Lain was seen as a possible candidate for the fourth line centre positions heading into Canucks training camp for the 2013–14 season.[7][9] He failed to make the team and was assigned to the Canucks' new AHL affiliate the Utica Comets. While head coach John Tortorella stated Lain had a decent camp he felt he needed more ice time than he would receive in Vancouver.[10] Upon joining the Comets Lain was re-united with former Blades teammate Jeremy Welsh and Oakville native Brandon DeFazio.[11] Lain played 19 games for Utica before scoring his first professional goal. It was part of a two-goal performance against goaltender Joey MacDonald helping the Comets to a 4–3 overtime win over the Abbotsford Heat.[12]

After playing 35 games registering 7 goals, 11 points, and 84 penalty minutes (PIMs) for Utica, Lain was called up by the Canucks.[13] He made his NHL debut January 18, 2014, in a home game against the Calgary Flames. A line brawl ensued after the opening face-off during which Lain fought Kevin Westgarth. He received five minute major for fighting and a game misconduct, ending his debut after a two-second shift.[14] Lain set an NHL record for the fastest fight to start a career, surpassing the previous record of 12 seconds set by John Ferguson of the Montreal Canadiens in a fight with Ted Green of the Boston Bruins on October 8, 1963.[15][16] Three days later Lain scored his first NHL goal on his first shot on goal in his second shift of the game. The goal was scored on Ben Scrivens of the Edmonton Oilers in a 2–1 Vancouver victory.[17][18] Lain played eight games for Vancouver before being reassigned to Utica for the Olympic break.[19] While playing in the Olympics, Canucks' centre Ryan Kesler suffered a hand injury and Lain was recalled from Utica when the Canucks returned from the break.[20] Five days later Lain was again reassigned to the Comets after playing in one game.[21]

On November 20, 2014, Lain was traded by the Canucks to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for centre Will Acton.[22]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Oakville Blades OPJHL 31 9 13 22 51 — — — — —
2008–09 Oakville Blades OJHL 47 19 23 42 74 — — — — —
2009–10 Oakville Blades OJHL 16 8 9 17 16 — — — — —
2010–11 Lake Superior State Lakers CCHA 38 4 4 8 40 — — — — —
2011–12 Lake Superior State Lakers CCHA 38 9 6 15 59 — — — — —
2012–13 Lake Superior State Lakers CCHA 32 8 8 16 111 — — — — —
2012–13 Chicago Wolves AHL 13 0 0 0 6 — — — — —
2013–14 Utica Comets AHL 63 7 12 19 129 — — — — —
2013–14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 9 1 0 1 21 — — — — —
2014–15 Utica Comets AHL 10 0 1 1 20 — — — — —
NHL totals 9 1 0 1 21 — — — — —

References

  1. ↑ "Unconventional road led Oakville's Kellan Lain to NHL deal". Oakville Beaver. April 19, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Kellan Lain - Lake Superior State University". Lake Superior State University. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  3. ↑ Koreen, Mike (April 4, 2009). "Once a Vee, always a Vee". Kingston Whig-Standard. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ Ivanin, Michael (January 6, 2010). "Lain just happy to be back". Burlington Post. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Introducing Kellan Lain". Vancouver Canucks. March 17, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Botchford, Jason (March 16, 2013). "Canucks sign Kellan Lain, and may not be done". The Province. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Wagner, Daniel (July 27, 2013). "Canucks re-sign four restricted free agents to completely fair and therefore unexciting new contracts". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Three Skaters Join Wolves Roster". Chicago Wolves. March 20, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Pap, Elliott (September 12, 2013). "Kellan Lain hopes to become a centre of attention for Canucks". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ Ziemer, Brad (September 23, 2013). "Canucks notebook: Dale Weise, Zack Kassian face disciplinary hearings for head hits on Oiler forwards". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  11. ↑ Kuiperij, Jon (December 2, 2013). "Former Oakville Blades reunited with AHL's Utica Comets". Oakville Beaver. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  12. ↑ Kinvig, Dan (November 30, 2013). "Lain's offensive breakthrough, Pelletier's OT heroics lead Comets past Heat". Abbotsford News. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Canucks recall Kellan Lain from Comets". Vancouver Canucks. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  14. ↑ Pap, Elliott (January 18, 2014). "Canucks, Flames stage opening faceoff line brawl: Tortorella tries to storm Calgary room". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  15. ↑ "This Day in Hockey History – October 8". Hooked On Hockey Magazine. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  16. ↑ Schwartz, Nick (January 18, 2014). "Vancouver’s Kellan Lain ejected after two seconds in NHL debut". USA Today. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  17. ↑ Tucker, Cam (January 22, 2014). "Canucks news and notes: Kellan Lain fights, scores during memorable first week in NHL". Metro Vancouver. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Vancouver Canucks rookie Kellan Lain having a memorable start to NHL career". National Hockey League. The Canadian Press. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  19. ↑ Yerdon, Joe (February 9, 2014). "Roundup: Hey everyone, let’s go to the AHL!". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  20. ↑ Woodley, Kevin (February 24, 2014). "Canucks' Kesler to meet with doctors". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Canucks reassign Lain to Comets". Vancouver Canucks. March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Edmonton Oilers trade Will Acton to Vancouver Canucks for Kellan Lain". Edmonton Journal. 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2014-11-20.

External links