Hope-ing For The NHL
Kyle Hope of the Owen Sound Attack – Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Hope is in his fifth and final season in the Ontario Hockey League, splitting his career between the Oshawa Generals, and his current team, the Owen Sound Attack.
“This league has been a pleasure to play in and such a great experience all five years,” said Hope, who played Midget ‘AAA’ for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones in 2008-2009. “I came in as a wide eyed 16-year-old and I have grown so much on and off the ice, it’s been amazing.”
With the final days of his OHL career ticking down, Hope, who is known for his tough on ice demeanour, and playing with a physical edge, has only one personal goal in mind, being signed to an NHL contract.
“Personally, in the final part of the season, I am playing to earn myself an NHL contract,” explained Hope. “It’s been my goal since entering this league.”
Hope has had a taste of the NHL over the past two summers, attending the New York Rangers rookie camp two summers ago, and earning an invite to the Vancouver Canucks main camp this past offseason. As for comparisons, Hope doesn’t have to look far for motivation, as two of his former Chatham-Kent Cyclones teammates, Dane Fox and Seth Griffith, have both signed NHL contacts in the last year with the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins respectively.
For those NHL teams out there looking to add a prospect, Hope feels as though he has a lot to offer to any team that comes calling.
“I think I could bring a energy, grit player, with some skill to a team,” said Hope. “I finish checks and play hard, and on the inside. It’s something I thrive on, and being a hard to play against player. I try to be a jack of all trades type of player.”
Being a player who brings a variety of traits to the ice is something Hope has proved he can do over his OHL career. Hope has played both defense and the wing on each of his OHL teams, and has improved his goal and point totals from year to year, while racking up over 100 penalty minutes the last two seasons.
It isn’t all about personal goals for Hope however, as he is focused on helping the Owen Sound Attack win, and serving as a leader for the younger players on their roster.
“As a team I just hope to give the younger players on the team some knowledge and someone to look up to, and help them get better everyday.”
Even after his final OHL ends this spring, Hope knows he has work to do to continue improving, and to prepare himself for his first professional hockey season, at whatever level he finds himself playing.
“My goal to improve is to just work my hardest every single day, and have no regrets come the end of the season. Also, just continue to do video and work on the details of my game just to keep getting better.”