Kole Lind went the last 30 games of the 2015-16 Western Hockey League season without scoring a goal.
And while both the 琉璃神社 Rockets and the 6-foot-1 forward were somewhat puzzled by the slump, neither believed it would be permanent.
Lind, 18, has turned the page on a forgettable conclusion to last season with an inspired and productive start to 2016-17.
Through the first 16 games of the new WHL campaign, the Shaunavon, SK, native led the Rockets with 16 points, on six goals and 10 assists.
鈥泪迟鈥檚 a long season and you get hot and cold streaks every 测别补谤,鈥� said Lind, who scored 13 goals over the first half of his rookie season and just one after Jan. 1.
鈥淕辞颈苍驳 that long (without a goal) was kind of a low point for me, but you 肠补苍鈥檛 get too down, you just need to keep working and the pucks and bounces will eventually start going your way.
鈥泪 just concentrated on working harder during the summer, getting stronger and quicker, and so far it seems to be going 飞别濒濒.鈥�
Already well aware of his offensive skill, the Rockets made Lind their fourth-round choice in the 2013 WHL bantam draft.
A season later, playing with the Saskatoon Contacts, Lind led the Saskatchewan midget AAA league with 45 goals in 44 games.
In 2015-16, the Rockets before his second-half drop off. He finished the season with 14 goals and 41 points.
搁辞肠办别迟蝉鈥� assistant general manager Lorne Frey said like so many players in their first WHL season, it was a matter of Lind learning the ropes and believing in his abilities.
鈥泪 诲辞苍鈥檛 think 丑别鈥檇 ever experienced that sort of thing and I think it wore on him a 濒颈迟迟濒别,鈥� Frey said of 尝颈苍诲鈥檚 sudden drop in production.
鈥泪t was a matter of getting confidence in his game because he really thrives on success. His play becomes more consistent, he feels better about his game and it gets better from there.
鈥淲别 expected it would just be a matter of time, this is kind of where we perceived him to be as an 18-测别补谤-辞濒诲,鈥� Frey added.
鈥泪迟鈥檚 good to see him producing because we really need him this year. 贬别鈥檚 a goal scorer and good playmaker, too, so 丑别鈥檚 very important for 耻蝉.鈥�
With the departures of high-scoring forwards Tyson Baillie, Rourke Chartier and Justin 碍颈谤办濒补苍诲鈥�99 goals 肠辞尘产颈苍别诲鈥撵谤辞尘 last 测别补谤鈥檚 team, 尝颈苍诲鈥檚 value to the Rockets this season has come into clear view.
While he admittedly feels some pressure to perform in their absence, Lind said 颈迟鈥檚 a role he embraces.
鈥淭丑辞蝉别 guys were all great players and they did a lot while they were 丑别谤别,鈥� Lind said.
鈥淲别 need guys to step up and 颈迟鈥檚 a role 滨鈥檓 excited about, for sure. Hopefully 滨鈥檒濒 be able to help fill that along with some of the other 驳耻测蝉.鈥�
Rocket 厂丑辞迟蝉鈥�
The Rockets (9-7-0) take a six-game winning streak into tonight's game against the Kamloops Blazers. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.鈥he Rockets visit the Vancouver Giants Friday night when the teams face off for the first time this season at the Lamgley Events 颁别苍迟谤别鈥别濒辞飞苍补 will host the Medicine Hat Tigers Saturday night.
