Kylington's decision to step away from the NHL and subsequent return is a story of perseverance worth honouring

Oliver Kylington’s decision to pull away from the Calgary Flames and the NHL for a year and a half was all about putting his own mental health in order.

The benefit from his brave move is far more reaching.

Even in an era in which acceptance is far more universal than year’s past, Kylington’s decision to put the game on the back burner in the fall of 2022 was bold. Maybe even pioneering. It was necessary for the defenceman to heal, and since returning to the team in January, Kylington has shown every sign of being better for it.

He also has helped move forward the conversation about mental health, not only among professional athletes but people in all walks of life.

“I don’t know if I’ve helped people, but I hope maybe that helps people to understand that when there’s certain moments in life, when there’s adversity, that it’s okay to be in it and not flee from it and not do stuff to think that it’s just gonna vanish,” Kylington said. “I think understanding that it’s OK to be OK, and it’s OK to say, ‘it’s a problem.’ Or if it's not a problem, it’s OK to not follow the norm. We’re all humans, and we’re not going to be at our best at all times. And I think it's just important to create a forum that people can be honest with each other and say really what they have in mind and how they feel and what goes on in their life.”

"If my story can really help people, I’m thankful and grateful," he added. "But ... I think everyone’s journey is very individual and it’s very personal. So you can take bits and bites of maybe my story and that can maybe help someone. But at the end of the day, as an individual you have to do the work yourself and face your problems, your individual problems, and do that journey yourself. I think you can take bits and bites of maybe other individual's journey, but I think, at the same time, you have to confront your own and maybe learn about some other stories for sure.”

Kylington on Friday was named by the Calgary chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association the team’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” The winner will be selected from the 32 nominees and honoured at the NHL awards in June.

Kylington, who will turn 27 next month, admitted there were days he was unsure whether he would return to the NHL. In 27 games this season, he has collected two goals and five points. His return, however, is about more than just goals, assists, wins and losses. It's about healing.

“I feel like I just been appreciating just very small stuff. Stuff you maybe not think about, really, when you're just in it as a robot,” he said. “I feel just appreciative of hanging out with people that I haven’t seen for a long time and just spending time competing with the older teammates and new teammates, and then just being back to an environment that I’ve been away from for a long time. So just appreciative of life, really, just in general.”

Since returning to the Flames, Kylington has felt a boatload of support, from the team, his teammates, fellow NHLers and the fans. He has relished the interactions with those he’s met.

“A lot of people wanted to say that it’s nice to see me back in town and nice seeing me back on the ice and just happy overall having me back,” he said. “That’s nothing that you’ve ever been prepared to even face, but I’ve been very thankful for that. I just try to see it as thanking them back by playing as good hockey as I can.”