Kylington was all smiles after suiting up for the AHL Wranglers and playing for the first time since May 2022

The skating ability was on full display when Oliver Kylington took the ice for his first game in almost 20 months.

The smile on Kylington’s face could not be missed either.

The Calgary Flames defenceman, who returned to the game by suiting up for the AHL Calgary Wranglers on Thursday, was grinning in the warmup, was grinning when his name was announced along with the rest of the starting lineup, and was grinning after the clash — a 3-2 Wranglers win over the Ontario Reign — along with often using a key word.

“It was fun. Yeah, it was fun,” Kylington told the media after the clash. “A bonus we got a win, but it was fun. It was really fun.”

After missing all of last season and the first half of this campaign while dealing with his mental health, Kylington took a huge step forward.

“I felt pretty relaxed,” he said. “I trust my instincts and what I can deliver, so I just tried to trust that and just have fun out there. I didn’t try to paint the picture bigger than it is.”

Statistically, he registered one shot on net and two penalty minutes, but that is secondary right now. Kylington taking the next step to potentially returning to the Flames is huge — for him and the team.

Becoming well enough to fully enjoy life is indeed the most important part of his journey. If that means a return to the NHL, it would be a boon for the Flames.

Kylington, 26, and his incredible skating abilities, broke out in a big way for the Flames in the 2021-22 season, netting nine goals and 31 points in 73 games. Having a player with his abilities would add plenty to the Flames roster.

At this moment, it is more about the here and now. Kylington was back on the ice in a game with a fanbase pulling for him, both as a player and as a person.

The crowd at the Wranglers game was on the smaller side, but gave all the support it had.

“It was nice,” said Kylington, who received the most rousing ovation when the starting lineup was named. “The fanbase here in Calgary and just people around the city have been so nice and supportive when I’ve run into them.

“I appreciate all the support. I really do.”

The Wranglers and Reign meet again Friday night at the Saddledome.