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AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Meet Kellan Lain

December 6, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


With 20 games in the Utica Comets season completed, Oakville, Ontario's Kellan Lain has become a durable and dependable force for the team.  One of six players to see ice time in every Comets games to this point, the 6'6"" forward is comfortably finding his groove in the Mohawk Valley.

Life's good, and improving by the game for Lain.  In last Saturday's (November 30) Comets 4-3 win in Abbotsford, Lain left Western Canada as a skater the Heat surely will remember when both teams meet again later this month at The AUD.  In the overtime victory for Utica, Lain collected his first two professional goals. 

"Everything always seems to go better on road trips. In Abbotsford the team played well. It was huge for us to get two wins there," says Lain,who played three seasons at Lake Superior State University.

Lain's approach to his first full season in the Vancouver Canucks system is simple, but proving to be effective.  "I approach every game with a different plan; doing the little things well," Lain tells.

Joining the Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves for 13 games last season after Lake Superior State's season concluded, Lain came across familiar faces in his new surroundings. John Kurtz, skating for the Norfolk Admirals  is from Oakville. Former Comet and current Canuck Jeremy Welsh, teamed with Lain both in Chicago, as well as when both played for the Oakville Blades of the OPJHL (Ontario Professional Junior Hockey League).

Before Utica, before signing his first professional contract with Vancouver, and his college days in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Lain looks back to watching a couple current NHL players in his home area who influenced him greatly.  "The youth hockey programs in my area were run well.  I played against John Tavares.  I played with Sam Gagner (currently with Edmonton). Manny Malhotra is someone I grew up idolizing," Lain states.

Malhotra, currently with the Carolina Hurricanes, played his OHL (Ontario Hockey League) career with the Guelph Storm. Lain's father is a high school teacher and had Malhotra as a student. Kellan's conversations with the then future NHL player, who he recalls was "great to talk with", to this day stand out as highlights not to be forgotten. "He (Malhotra) became my role model," Lain said.

Fresh out of Lake Superior State University (current Comets assistant coach Paul Jerrard's alma mater, as well). Lain tells of experiencing a different level of hockey, when joining the Wolves last season.  By getting  experience on the AHL level last spring, Kellan believes that allowed him to be prepared for the coming summer's training, but also have him familiar in what to expect as a Comet. The whole Utica experience is one that excites Lain, inside The AUD, and around the Mohawk Valley.

"I love it here. I'm having a good time everywhere we go." Lain tells. "When me and Brandon (DeFazio) go out for dinner, the fans show us support.  Even when our team has struggled, the fans have been right there behind us".  Lain and DeFazio are roommates.

Aside from his friendship with DeFazio, Lain remembers meeting some really good teammates last season in Chicago.  "I got to know Darren Archibald pretty well, and we kept in touch over the summer", Lain said.

Whether practicing for upcoming games in Glens Falls or prepping for the Comets first meeting with the Binghamton Senators, Kellan Lain fits in nicely with his fellow Comets. Leading the team with 50 penalty minutes so far this season, Lain has repeatedly proven he'll stand up for anyone wearing the same jersey as he.  The team is extremely important for Lain, in all facets of his game.  You can't help but to think that Manny Maholtra is proud of Kellan.

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