Kyle Hope Making An Immediate Impact With ECHL’s Fort Wayne
Kyle Hope with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets – Photo by the Fort Wayne Komets
“I believe my quick start is attributed to just playing my game from the beginning and not trying to do too much,” said Hope, who had 6 points in his first 7 games of professional hockey.
“I came in confident in my game and they gave me the opportunity to play good minutes and fortunately it’s worked out well,” said the Blenheim product, who has also been a physical presence for the Komets.
“The experience in Fort Wayne has been outstanding. The organization here is top notch all the way through and has made for a very positive experience for myself,” Hope continued.
Hope recently finished his senior season of OUA hockey, where he led the University of Windsor Lancers men’s team in scoring with 11 goals and 28 points in 27 games.
The veteran of five OHL seasons, isn’t used to be the rookie anymore. Luckily for him, a familiar face in fellow Blenheim product Jamie Schaafsma, who captains the Komets, and trains with Hope in the offseason, has been there to ease the transition to the professional level.
“There is definitely a lot of reasons Jamie has played pro hockey for so long and been a captain and winner everywhere he goes,” said Hope of the 36-year-old Schaafsma who has played 15 seasons of professional hockey both in North America and Europe.
“He’s a true professional and has made me feel comfortable as well as every one else being our captain,” added Hope, who also thanked his family and girlfriend of helping him adjust, and supporting this transition.
With so much early success, some hockey players would be looking toward the next step in their career, but Hope is taking things one game, and shift at a time, and doing his best to enjoy the experinece, and help the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets win.
“I’m just taking it day by day here in Fort Wayne and enjoying myself as much as possible and taking everything in.”