Justin time for a breakout season
Everything came together in a big way for Justin Kyle this season.
The Niagara Falls Canucks figured the 19-year-old Whitby native was due for a breakout year, but Kyle exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations.
Kyle had a memorable campaign that saw him lead the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League in scoring with 119 points in 48 games. Included in his stats were 81 assists, seven short-handed, eight power-play and four game-winning goals.
“We knew he was going to be our No. 1 centre. We knew he was going to have a good season, but to lead the whole GOJHL, I don’t think anybody expects that,” Canucks coach Frank Pietrangelo said.
Kyle is proud of his scoring title, but has bigger things on his mind.
“For sure it makes me feel good, but at the same time, (I) focus on the championship at the end of the day,” he said. “That’s what shows if you’re successful or not. The regular season is just a build up for the playoffs.
“Playoffs is where it’s at. It’s way more intense and it’s more fun to play.”
Kyle joined the Canucks three seasons ago and did well as a fourth-line centre. He was moved up in the lineup last season and performed so well he was named the recipient of the J.P. Thomas Memorial Trophy as Golden Horseshoe Conference Most Improved Player.
“It’s been a progression with him,” Pietrangelo said. “He played on the fourth line in his first year and had a really good year. He had some trouble scoring but you could see he had the makings of a good hockey player. Last year, he ended up with Frank Pucci and it was like magic right off the bat. He put up points, but nothing like this year.”
Kyle set the tone for his season when he collected two goals and four points in the Canucks season-opening win at St. Catharines, where he centred a line between Ben Evans and Mitch Mendonca.
“The start of the year we were really hot. We were connecting really well and making crisp passes and that made it a lot of fun to play,” Kyle said.
The line stayed together all season and put up some impressive numbers. Evans finished third in GOJHL scoring with 99 points while Mendonca was ninth with 80.
“Playing with them helps,” Kyle said of his linemates. “They are both skilled guys who have won championships at a higher level and that’s something I definitely value and hopefully I can get that opportunity.
“I think all of us have a really high IQ and we’re pretty smart hockey players so it just works well.”
It also helps Kyle is a skilled playmaker.
“He’s so unselfish. He’s a very level-headed kid,” Pietrangelo said. “He cares about the team and works his ass off every time he hits the ice. When you have players like that, good things usually do come to them.”
Kyle said it’s natural for him to look to pass first.
“Honestly, I’ve always had that growing up. I’ve never been a shoot-first kind of guy. I always look for my teammates and try to help them get better as well,” he said.
Kyle, who has one more season of junior eligibility remaining, has taken some classes at Brock but is concentrating on trying to help the Canucks to a Sutherland Cup this season.
“I’ve talked to NCAA and I know USports is all over him,” Pietrangelo said. “I know he’s got some attention. This is the time for these guys to shine.”
The Canucks lead the Lockport Regals 2-0 in their best-of-seven quarter-final playoff series and can wrap up the expected sweep this week. Games 3 and 4 are Tuesday and Wednesday at Lockport.
“We played pretty well. It’s gone as expected. It’s good that we are also getting some scoring from secondary sources. That will be important down the road,” Pietrangelo said.
Kyle, who is nursing a minor injury, played in Game 1 but took Game 2 off. He is listed as day to day.
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