Oliver Kylington, a defenseman for the Calgary Flames, returned to the NHL on Thursday night after a 20-month absence. He was activated from the Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) and participated in the Flames' game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking his first game since May 26th, 2022. Kylington's return was met with a standing ovation from fans, and while the Flames suffered a 5-2 loss, his performance was highlighted as one of the team's bright spots. Head coach Ryan Huska and former teammate Johnny Gaudreau expressed their happiness and support for Kylington's return. The defenseman himself felt emotional about the support he received, stating that he wants to give back by showing his abilities on the ice. Prior to the game, Kylington was activated from his AHL conditioning stint and had his first practice with the Flames since May 2022. His LTIR status was changed just before the game, making him eligible to play.
From @salimvalji - #Flames’ Oliver Kylington plays his first NHL game in 20 months: https://t.co/mUGJsTnXdF
🗣️"Our media, our fans, it’s been so supportive that I think you guys should get credit for that, too. I think that helped Oliver" There will be plenty of nights to write about the #Flames on the ice. Thursday night was all about Oliver Kylington 🔻👇🏽 https://t.co/AxLoVejS8d
First post-game quote tonight from #Flames D Oliver Kylington: “Special for me personally, but stings a little bit after the game. Obviously, I wanted us to win.”
#Flames Oliver Kylington on fan reaction tonight: “It’s touching, for sure. It really is. I just want to give it back, you know? I just want to show my abilities on the ice. I think that’s my way to give it back. I have to work hard and keep going here. I want to show my best.” https://t.co/8n5Uf160Nj
A 5-2 loss was ugly, but there was still reason for the C of Red to roar Thursday. My latest, chatting with three #Flames fans — including one who brought a welcome-back sign and another wearing a No. 58 jersey — on the return of Oliver Kylington ... https://t.co/FbHvHEBX0x
Oliver Kylington, after his first NHL game since May, 2022, on the standing ovation: "It's touching, for sure. It really is. I just wanna give it back. I just wanna show my abilities on the ice and I think that's my way to give it back." #Flames https://t.co/HLXOP3B7Pv
#Flames coach Ryan Huska on Oliver Kylington’s first NHL game since May 2022: “He was one of the bright spots for our team, for sure.”
Flames put Oliver Kylington in the starting lineup, as he returns to the NHL
Standing ovation for Oliver Kylington #flames https://t.co/eyOpz7iTHU
Oliver Kylington is back. #flames https://t.co/XTML6cSUJb
Flames’ Oliver Kylington ‘feels the love’ ahead of long-awaited NHL return ⤵️ https://t.co/cALsYAWorh
Oliver Kylington is back in Flames' lineup vs. Blue Jackets for his 1st game since May 2022. 🔥 https://t.co/TDu8xpJ3Gr https://t.co/K7x0Pe5E34
#flames confirm Oliver Kylington will be in the lineup tonight vs Columbus. First game since May 2022. Context and timeline: https://t.co/em9J0GbjJf
#Flames have officially activated Kylington off LTIR. He’s in an NHL game tonight, his first since May 26th, 2022. https://t.co/zFD4ueJ2UU
HE'S BACK! Oliver Kylington has been activated from the Long-Term Injured Reserve and will suit up for tonight's #Flames vs. Blue Jackets match-up! https://t.co/Ne2xuBuqs5
#Flames reporter Salim Valji summarizes the timeline of events that led to Oliver Kylington's return to the lineup, and how Calgary's contingent of Swedes helped make Kylington feel included along the way: https://t.co/KJ95h1JhBv https://t.co/dnNdlQcmIY
More from Johnny Gaudreau on former #Flames teammate Oliver Kylington: “I’m really, really happy for him. Hopefully, he doesn’t have too good of a game tonight if he is in the lineup. But after that, he can play as well as he wants.” https://t.co/v2KtmhtNbZ
Johnny Gaudreau on the expected return tonight of #Flames Oliver Kylington: “It’s going to be a great night. The fans will treat him so, so great. They’ll give a loud roar when he’s back here and they announce his name. It’s an exciting time for him and I’m super happy for him.”
While #Flames haven't confirmed Oliver Kylington will be in the lineup tonight, Dennis Gilbert had an extended morning skate and Nick DeSimone's locker-stall is empty as waits for the waiver deadline to pass. Seems pretty clear that Kylington is among six blue-liners tonight.
#flames head coach Ryan Huska says Oliver Kylington remains ineligible to play because he’s still on LTIR but that can change between now and game time.
👀 Looks like Oliver Kylington is in tonight vs. Columbus. First NHL game in almost exactly 20 months. #Flames
Oliver Kylington skating at today’s optional morning skate. Will find out in 15 min but strong chance he plays tonight. #flames
Oliver Kylington skating at today’s optional morning skate. Will find out in 15 ish minutes but there’s a pretty strong chance he suits up tonight for #flames he has some family here at the Saddledome too
🗣️“We said, ‘It sounds like things are going good, but it’s been that way before. He said, ‘No. This time I think I can do it.’” With Oliver Kylington's return getting closer by the day, a look into the process/timeline for his return to the #Flames https://t.co/HtqDYpkZkR
DeSimone on waivers, plus Kylington on a pairing with Oesterle and a very full participant in practice…seems there's a strong chance Oliver suits up Thursday or Saturday. #Flames https://t.co/adcDOoDSKx
From @salimvalji - Support from teammates and #Flames franchise helping Oliver Kylington on his journey back to the NHL: https://t.co/lClNTE40WO
Oliver Kylington paired with Jordan Oesterle today at #flames practice
Kylington, Mangiapane, Schwindt all skating today. #flames
🗣️"anyone in here, I think if someone calls them, I think they would get up and go over and help them right away" Morning ☕️ read from yesterday on Oliver Kylington's return to the #Flames , which coincides w/ teammate Dillon Dubé taking a leave👇🏽🔻 ✍️🏽https://t.co/pz4Gc5pF12
Oliver Kylington didn’t look out of place Monday, showcasing the trademark skating stride that propelled him from second-round pick to key cog on Calgary’s defence. More from @salimvalji: https://t.co/tRTB4Xz1Ov
On Monday’s feel-good story, the return of Oliver Kylington to #Flames practice, and why emotions were mixed at the Saddledome. One buddy back, another on their minds … https://t.co/We9KakcTGX
“I just felt like myself again.” Great to see Oliver Kylington at #Flames practice today, and great to hear from him. https://t.co/TtUC6GB5ua
#Flames Ice Chips - Oliver Kylington practiced with the team for the first time since May 2022, and admitted that there was a time he didn't know if he'd ever return to the NHL. More from @salimvalji: https://t.co/Hh0RfLNI6l https://t.co/04iHENm8t6
Oliver Kylington speaks for the first time since returning to the #Flames after stepping away in 2022: https://t.co/H3T0NBdiZ0 https://t.co/G0DOR7hYQC
Full video of Oliver Kylington's comments today🔻👇🏽 #Flames https://t.co/AboXrxdw8S
"There was one point in time that I didn't think I was going to be here so I was kind of emotional, in a good way. I was excited to come here today and see everyone, share the ice with everyone, and play hockey again." Hear from Oliver Kylington after today's #Flames practice ❤️ https://t.co/er8cc8K7Iz
Oliver Kylington on #Flames teammate Dillon Dube: “When he's ready and wants to share, I know how it feels so I'm there for him. I think the whole organization supports him and his decision and just wants him to feel better and take those steps to get back. I just care for him.”
Oliver Kylington: #Flames "Yesterday, I had a moment for myself. There was one point in time, I didn’t think I was going to be here, so it was kind of emotional but in a good way. I was excited to come here today & see everyone and share the ice w/ everyone & play hockey again."
Oliver Kylington after his first pull practice with #Flames since May 2022: https://t.co/mtreboK5dj
“He looks like he hasn’t missed a beat”—#flames head coach Ryan Huska on Oliver Kylington
Kylington spoke to media today. Some powerful comments. Highly recommend hockey fans watch when posted. #Flames
Stick taps and Kylington leading post practice stretch #flames https://t.co/6doFKe11vN
Oliver Kylington 🤝 #Flames practice https://t.co/6SdRY36XuO
Kylington’s first strides with #flames since May 2022 https://t.co/4tF10JZsAG
Oliver Kylington is on the ice for practice this morning at the Saddledome. It’s his first full NHL practice since May 2022. #Flames
Jacob Markstrom is practicing at the Saddledome this morning. It’s Markstrom’s first full practice with the team since sustaining a lower body injury last week. #Flames
It's going to be awesome to see Oliver Kylington in a full #Flames practice today.
As discussed on #Flames Talk Postgame Saturday, expectation is Oliver Kylington will practice with the NHL team Monday morning. It’s a unique situation so a lot of moving goalposts. But believe the league has okay’ed Kylington to start practicing while remaining on LTIR. https://t.co/DbyHZoOmlE
Some different #Flames news [not sure if this is out there already]: with Oliver Kylington activated from his AHL conditioning stint this weekend, the plan is for him to practice with the team on Monday. It would be his first on-ice activity w/ the #Flames since May, 2022.