Flames D Oliver Kylington begins comeback from mental health pause

Away for the past two seasons addressing his mental health, Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington placed himself on the comeback trail and returned to the ice with the organization on Thursday for the first time since the end of the 2021-22 season.

Kylington has been regularly skating with the injured personnel from the Flames' NHL club. He was assigned to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers on a conditioning assignment Thursday and could be back with the Flames this month.

"I feel I'm in a good place with my mental health and ready to take another step forward," Kylington said in a statement Thursday. "Returning to Calgary has been the right decision. I've felt tremendous commitment from Flames ownership, management, and my teammates, and I am appreciative of the support and resources made available to me. I also thank my family, friends, and the fans for their encouragement. I'm looking forward to getting on the ice in a team environment and back to my everyday life. I have missed it very much."

Players on the long-term injury list can be sent to the AHL for six days or three games, whichever is longer, without counting toward the NHL team's salary cap. Kylington is eligible to request an extension of two more games.

Kylington reported to training camp with the Flames in September. The team announced the day before camp officially began that, after medical and fitness testing, Kylington wouldn't start the season with the team, calling it a "private personal matter."

Kylington, 26, missed the entire 2022-23 season due to personal reasons.

President of hockey operations Don Maloney said in May that the club anticipated his return to the ice in 2023-24. General manager Craig Conroy has worked closely with Kylington during his absence and said Thursday he's excited for the next steps in a co-designed return-to-play plan.

"First and foremost, as an organization, we care about Oliver as a person. We are so happy that he has made positive progression with his mental well-being, and we will continue to support Oliver through this process. Based on his feedback, and that of health professionals, we have developed a return to play plan for Oliver. This conditioning assignment to the Wranglers for full practice integration is the next step in that process. Oliver will continue with his treatment, and we will monitor as he moves forward."

A second-round pick by the Flames in 2015, Kylington recorded 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists), a plus-30 rating and 156 blocks in 168 games in parts of five seasons before being placed on the long-term injury list.

—Field Level Media