Against all odds, Kolanos gets another shot
In his first interview as a Calgary Flame, Krys Kolanos opened the discussion by thanking his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for never losing faith in him.
Then he expressed his everlasting appreciation to the Flames and Abbotsford Heat. In particular, he lauded Heat head coach Troy Ward for believing in a 30-year-old hockey retread coming off microfracture surgery on his left hip.
All along, Kolanos insisted to anyone who would listen his dream of playing in the NHL was not dead.
No matter how ridiculous that must have sounded in recent times.
“I feel I have unfinished business at that level,” Kolanos said Wednesday from the departure lounge at Pearson International Airport en route to Calgary. “I’m hungry to get after it. I’ve been working so hard, in faith, for another chance. “I feel very blessed.” Against all odds, the Flames signed Kolanos Wednesday to a two-year, two-way NHL contract. If he sticks in Calgary, he will make the league minimum of $525,000 a season.
With Lee Stempniak out for an undetermined period of time with a lower-body injury, general manager Jay Feaster summoned Kolanos to join the big club. The native Calgarian is expected to suit up Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Not bad for a minor-leaguer who sat out 21 months after surgery to repair a degenerative condition that was tearing up the cartilage and labrum in his left hip.
Not bad for a guy who was sitting in the stands in Phoenix a year ago as a member of the paying public scouting out the players on both teams for his own personal benefit.
“I just feel so grateful and thankful things are moving in the direction I’ve been working towards,” said the six-foot-two, 202-pound centreman. “I’ve obviously had a non-stop chill and unbelievable feeling of elation ever since I got that call.
“I’ve always felt deep inside that I can play at this level and be an impact player at this level.”
Kolanos, the 19th overall pick in the 2000 NHL entry draft, proved an impact player in his rookie season with the Phoenix Coyotes. In 57 games, he scored 11 goals — including one on a penalty shot that left Hall of Famer Patrick Roy so furious he threw his stick and received an ejection.
(Look that one up on Youtube under the label “Krys Kolanos Makes Patrick Roy Cry Like a Baby.”) In January of that season, Vaclav Varada hit the promising newcomer from behind and knocked him unconscious.
Thus began a year-long battle with post-concussion syndrome and the start of a career ravaged by injuries and, at times, questionable on-ice habits.
His resume includes NHL stops in Phoenix, Edmonton, Minnesota and now Calgary.
In total, the one-time Calgary Royals (AJHL) product has suited up for 136 games in the big league.
His career stats: 20 goals, 41 points and 92 penalty minutes.
Along the way, Kolanos has played hockey in Springfield, Finland, Germany, San Antonio, Lowell, WilkesBarre, Grand Rapids, Switzerland, Quad Cities, Houston, Adirondack and Abbotsford.
As a last-ditch effort, he attended training camp last September in Abbotsford on a professional tryout.
He then earned an AHL contract.
Then came the injury to Stempniak and the deal signed Wednesday that puts the Flames at the league-limit of 50 players under contract.
“Krys has been one of our best players in Abbotsford and has done everything we’ve asked of him to earn this opportunity,” Feaster said in a written statement.
“He has worked hard on being a responsible two-way player and we look forward to him contributing to our success at both ends of the ice.”
In truth, Kolanos is best known for his pure offensive skill.
He leads the Heat in scoring with 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points in 34 games.
As a result, he played in the AHL all-star game this weekend in Atlantic City.
“Krys can be a little different,” Ward said. “He’s a little bit odd about his stick. A little bit odd about the way his skates are.
“He’ll go out on the ice early at practice and stand five feet in front of the net and shoot like 50 pucks right up in the upper corner all by himself.
“He’s unique in the way he gets himself ready to play.
“But when it comes to the way he scores goals, who can argue with what he is doing? He has a special gift.”
That special gift looked threatened two years ago in Adirondack when the hip flared up to the point that surgery became the only option.
For the first three months, he limped around on crutches near his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. The rehab took nearly two years.
“I still feel younger than I am,” he said.
“I have such a passion and love for the game.
“There’s something inside me burning that has kept me going through all of this. I still feel like I can contribute and make a difference out there.
“I think it boils down to my love for the game and knowing if I did stay with it, I would get another chance.”
I have such a passion and love for the game. There’s something inside me burning that has kept me going through all of this.
KRYS KOLANOS