Adam Kydd: Utilizing his WHL Scholarship
Former Kelowna Rocket forward Adam Kydd continues to chase his dream of playing hockey while using his WHL Scholarship to attend the University of Calgary.
Kydd, 21, aged out of the Western Hockey League at the end of last season. Throughout his final season in the league during the 2022-23 campaign he kept his options open for what would be next after his Major Junior Hockey career.
“I was hearing from a lot of different teams and schools in my twenty-year-old season,” said Kydd in a telephone interview recently with kelownarockets.com. “I was kind of looking at every option, there wasn’t anything standing out all year.”
A member of the Rockets leadership group as an assistant captain, he recorded 53 points (20, 33A) through 50 games in his final year in Kelowna. With options of playing pro or going to school, Kydd had the opportunity to attend the Calgary Flames development camp as an undrafted free agent in July.
“It was after the Flames camp and everything, it was looking like my best option was to go U Sports and Calgary. As far as staying in the west, it seemed like the best option for me with a combination of a school with a good business program and a really good hockey program.”
For each season played in the WHL, a player is awarded a one-year post-secondary scholarship, which includes: tuition, compulsory fees and required textbooks. After spending four seasons in the WHL, split between Calgary and Kelowna, the Regina, Sask. product earned four years towards his schooling.
“The WHL Scholarship program sets you up to have a good university career, whether you’re still playing hockey or just using it to go to school. The scholarship part of it really takes a lot of stress off being worried about money constantly. If you’re still playing, you can keep getting better as a hockey player, while being a full-time student.”
Kydd is no stranger to hitting the books, after completing high school he continued to take courses while playing in the WHL that has helped make his transition to the University of Calgary a little easier.
“I took one course last year and I ended up with six in total after my WHL career. It kept my brain activated staying on top of my education and not just being a junior hockey player. It’s paying off now where I can take a lighter schedule here at Calgary and definitely be done in four years.”
Kydd still wants to play pro hockey after school but wanted to better prepare himself for life after the game by getting a business degree.
“I think after hockey’s done, whenever that will be, I still plan on playing for a lot of years. But whenever that’s done, I want to set myself up with a degree that can be transferred into a lot of different areas. I haven’t decided what I want to do post-hockey, but I think with a business degree that can be applied to many things. I think that was the best option for a guy like me who wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after hockey is done.”
Meanwhile, on the ice, Kydd suits up for the University of Calgary’s Dinos that compete in the Canada West Region of U Sports.
The Dinos play against teams from the University of British Columbia, Mount Royal University, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, the University of Regina, Trinity Western University and the University of Manitoba.
Several former Western Hockey League players are playing U Sports hockey in the Canada West Region including former Rockets: Jake Poole (U of Calgary), Jadon Joseph (U of Calgary), Liam Kindree (UBC), Jake Lee (UBC), Cole Schwebius (UBC), Conner McDonald (UBC), David Kope (MacEwan University), Sean Comrie (MacEwan University), Carson Sass (U of Regina), Jonathan Smart (UBC) and Jake Kryski (UBC).
While many of the players in the Canada West region are from the WHL, Kydd said that there is a difference in the style of play between major junior and university hockey.
“There’s that high-end skill and talent that are obviously that the NHL Draft picks. U Sports is a lot of guys that have had long WHL careers and are good players, who are now bigger older and stronger, who play a much more mature style of game.
“You see a lot of guys here that you either played with or against in the WHL, so that part of it’s pretty cool. It makes it more fun when you hit the ice with them and battle it out against your former teammates or buddies, it motivates you that much more to win the battle and get the puck.”
Through 17 games this season Kydd has recorded 14 points (8G, 6A) and ten penalty minutes. The winger admitted that it took time to adjust to the style of play and systems with his new team.
“I’m starting to find my way a little bit here, it was a pretty big adjustment at first. I’m gaining some trust from my teammates and coaches, being put into more positions in the game. I’ve just got to keep working every day, that’s the nice thing about this league, not only are you trying to stay healthy but you’re still developing your game a lot in the season. That’s something I’ve really focused on is getting that .1 percent better.”
Coming off of a Canada West Championship last year, the Dinos are looking to repeat this season. As of Monday, January 15 they sit second in the standings with a record of 17-4-1-0.
“We’ve got a great team in Calgary with a lot of great leaders and personalities. It’s a pretty busy schedule heading down the stretch, but we’re in a good spot. I know playoffs will be a battle. There are a lot of competitive teams in this division, hopefully we have a good run in the playoffs and make our way to Toronto for the Nationals.”
Kydd wants current WHL players whose careers are wrapping up that the U Sports route is a good option for a long hockey career.
“The advice that I’ve given for guys who have asked about U Sports, is that it’s competitive hockey and allows you to go a few ways. You can use your WHL Scholarship and get a good education to set yourself up for the working world. You can also still completely devote your time to playing hockey, it’s a competitive league with a good division here in the Canada West. You can continue to develop your game and set yourself up for pro-opportunities after while getting a degree in your back pocket.”
He still talks to many of his former teammates and was even in a fantasy football league with them this year. Many of the current Rockets still talk about Kydd’s leadership. Reflecting on his time with the team, Kydd said that he was thankful for the trade that brought him to Kelowna and looks forward to visiting again soon.
“It comes around full circle, being a young guy looking up to these older guys and not really being able to imagine yourself in their shoes, then four years fly by and you’re on the other end. You kind of try to take pieces from each guy you play with and your own experiences and share that advice with the young guys. The main thing is to enjoy it and, it’s pretty cliché, but you don’t know how good you have it playing junior hockey, especially in a place like Kelowna. Once you’re a part of that Rockets organization, you’re a part of it for life.”
