After nine seasons of highs and lows in the organization of the Calgary Flames – the team that drafted him – Swedish defenseman Oliver Kylington, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. In a recent interview with Swedish media outlet HockeyNews.se, he spoke about his decision, his history of struggles with mental health and his family, and where he is now.

“It was the first time I was a UFA and it was exciting in many different ways, but at the same time I was looking forward to it and there were some options,” he explained. “Calgary was still in the picture for a very long time, but I think it’s time for a new challenge, a new environment, a new team. The time had come.” 

As for the team he chose, Kylington said, “Coming to a team like Colorado with the players they have and the recent seasons they've had ... It was a very compelling factor that they wanted me so much. It felt like a natural choice.”

After a 31-point season in 2021-22, Kylington was rewarded with a new contract but missed then missed the entire 2022-23 season despite no apparent physical ailments. Last August, he finally spoke out about his mental health troubles.

“I think I dealt with the problem like maybe everyone else does, by just sweeping it under the rug,” he said at the time. “But for me, that led to mental illness. I felt very bad about how I dealt with my problems and almost went into the wall and felt that now it’s enough... I needed to face these problems we had as a family and today I am incredibly grateful for this journey I started and then had to finish.”

He further explained, “I learned a lot about myself and I learned to understand that fears about one’s problems are only guided by one’s own shame. I had trouble putting my feelings into words because I was so ashamed of the problems I had with my family. I am incredibly grateful for how many people supported me and helped me get the right help. I really feel like I did myself a big favor.”

After missing a season and a half, Kylington came back to play this January. His first two games were with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers followed by 33 with the Flames, in which he recorded eight points and 12 penalty minutes.

“It was good,” he said about the comeback experience. “The response and all the dealing with everything that happened in my personal life, I am so grateful for how Calgary met everything and how they were there for me. Still, we have worked with each other for a very long time. However, I have been in the organization for eight years. There was a genuine understanding of everything.”

As for how he felt on the ice, Kylington said, “Once I came back, I felt ready. I think my game showed that too. I thought it felt very natural to come back and it was just bloody fun. Definitely something I had missed. Considering everything that happened, it just felt organic in a way to just play and be back in an environment that I missed.”

While Kylington’s struggles are ongoing, he seems to be making the best of the situation.

“Although it’s been difficult, I’m grateful for the things that have happened,” he said. “I’m grateful for what it has done to me and the insights it has brought. You cannot always influence what has happened considering that you do not choose your parents. But that’s okay. It is what it is. That’s life.

“I have a great relationship with one of my parents right now and at the same time took a break from one of them. And that’s fine. I feel good about it. As I said, I just want to play hockey and do my thing. And be in the present as much as I can. I don’t need any more distractions in my life.”

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