NHL Scouting Combine Results for Foote and Lind
It was a busy week/weekend for Kelowna Rockets forward Kole Lind and defenceman Cal Foote.
The pair were two of 22 WHL players in Buffalo, NY. for the NHL Scouting Combine fitness testing. The event featured 104 players in total, with 52 CHL representatives.
“Overall I thought it was a really fun week. They treated us unbelievably there. It was busy for sure with meetings all week and the fitness testing on the weekend. It was really good though, we got some free time as well to catch a baseball game among other things,” Lind said recounting his time in Buffalo.
“It was an awesome week,” said Foote. “The first interview process was a little nerve-racking but as the week went on, it was very fun.”
All NHL Draft prospects go through a series of fitness tests as NHL scouts and management watch and make notes.
The test results have been released from the fitness testing and here is how the pair of Rockets fared.
Cal Foote ranked in the top 25 in five of the 14 fitness tests. He ranked tied for third in Aerobic Fitness: Test Duration with a time of 16:00. In Aerobic Fitness: VO2max (ml/kg/min) Cal ranked 21st with a score of 56.0. Cal ranked seventh in Agility & Balance: Pro Agility Left with a time of 4.5, and 14th in Pro Agility Right with a time of 4.55. And finally, Cal ranked 12th in Anthropometry: Wing Span (Inches) with a wingspan of 78.25.
“The testing went really well for me! I did good in some tests and poorly in others but overall, I’m happy with my scores,” Foote explained.
Kole Lind ranked in the top 25 in four of the 14 fitness tests. He ranked 16th in Aerobic Fitness: Test Duration with a time of 15:00. He ranked 14th in Anaerobic Fitness: Fatigue Index with a score of 40.6. Lind placed 21st on the list in the Musculoskeletal: Left Hand Grip (lbs) with 133lbs, and tied for 10th on the list with the sixth best score for Right Hand Grip with 144lbs.
“I definitely surprised myself a bit. Obviously with only being out for three weeks I wasn’t able to prepare myself as well as some of the others. With trying to get a break, and then a week of skating I didn’t have a lot of time. It was really good though, I’m glad that I did well on those tests but I feel I can still improve my strength,” Lind said of his performance at the combine.
Each team also has the opportunity to speak to and interview the players to get to know them on a personal level. Lind spoke to 27 teams over the week, which he says will be the memory that sticks with him the most.
“Meeting with all the teams would definitely be the most memorable part. I think this is a goal all of us have to play in the NHL, and it’s really special meeting with teams I dream to play for,” Lind said.
Foote spoke to 20+ teams as well, but for him, all the new friends were the highlight.
“My favourite memory from the week was meeting guys and making new friends throughout,” Foote said.
The next step for these two is the NHL Entry Draft that takes place on June 23rd and 24th in Chicago. Fans can catch the draft on Sportsnet.
