Rangers’ Sherwood ‘excited’ to go
Sniper ‘happy’ to be in Kitchener on road to NHL
KITCHENER — Kole Sherwood had hoped to turn pro.
Instead, the 20-year-old is back in the Ontario Hockey League for his overage season.
“It’s disappointing,” said the newest Kitchener Rangers forward. “You can’t really sulk or be pissed off. I’m here now and I’m ready to play.”
The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect had the National Hockey League in his sights.
But before he could make his mark, he fell awkwardly and suffered a high ankle sprain during the team’s rookie tournament last month in Traverse City, Mich.
The injury caused Sherwood to miss main camp. After a brief stay with the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Cleveland, he was returned to the junior ranks.
He arrived in Kitchener — by way of Flint — Tuesday night.
The Rangers acquired the right-winger in a deal for four draft picks. Flint needed to shed an overage player and Kitchener needed some offensive pop.
“He’s an impact player,” said Blueshirts bench boss Jay McKee. “We’ve had some balanced scoring and depth, but we don’t have a single guy in the top 40 in scoring. He’s going to add an element that will probably raise the bar for the guys around him.”
Sherwood is no stranger to the net.
The New Albany, Ohio, native — a suburb of Columbus — potted 33 markers and added 52 helpers for the Firebirds last season, to finish tied for ninth overall in league scoring with 85 points.
McKee has already drawn up his role on the power play and found him linemates, though he’s keeping the formations secret for now.
Sherwood is just glad to hit the ice. Flint had five overage players and can only dress three and was unsure of his role.
“I felt something was going to happen,” said the six-foot-one, 202-pounder. “I’m happy to be here and it’s where I want to be.”
He’s expected to make his debut Friday at the Aud against the London Knights, in a tilt that could be a tad awkward since he broke in with the green machine two years back. “I’ll be fine,” he said, of facing his former club. “I try not to think too much about it. I just have to play the game.”
He sees good things here in Kitchener.
It’s a team with tradition, great fans and a competitive lineup. It’s also the first step in getting back to the NHL since his demotion.
“There is stuff I need to work on to make it to the next level,” he said.
“But I also want to teach the younger guys what I can and maybe they can teach me something, too,” he added. “I’m just excited to get going.”