Fighting for a job
Kielly earns invite to Winnipeg Jets rookie camp
Kameron Kielly heads to Winnipeg next month looking to land a pro contract and take the next step in his hockey career.
The 20-year-old Charlottetown native has been invited to the Jets rookie camp after completing five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“I have a week to kind of prove myself and prove
I belong,” he said Wednesday.
“I’m just going out there with a positive attitude and (will) conduct myself as a professional on and off the ice and make it hard for them to send me home.”
Kielly, who leaves on Sept. 6, was a fan favourite and team leader while playing four seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders after starting his junior career with the Gatineau Olympiques.
The reliable, two-way forward had his best offensive season last year, scoring 34 goals and adding 40 assists for 74 points in 65 games. He was also on the team’s first power play and penalty-killing unit.
“Even if he doesn’t score, he can be the best player on the ice because he kills penalties and blocks shots,” linemate Filip Chlapik said this spring.
Kielly has previously attended camps with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings, but he admitted preparing for this one feels different.
“This time I am basically fighting for a place to play,” he said. “There’s no junior team to send me back to.”
He takes that as a positive, knowing he is more desperate, but also better prepared, this time around.
Kielly has been working on his strength while training with Dave (Eli) MacEachern at Dynamic Fitness during the offseason. He also skates a couple of times a week in Pownal with pro and university players.