Kole Lind diagnosed with mononucleosis

The Kelowna Rockets announced after its 5-3 win at Prospera Place that 19-year-old forward Kole Lind has been diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Kole Lind

The news, delivered post-game by general manager Bruce Hamilton, is not necessarily all bad for Lind and the Rockets.

“We have been informed by the medical team that he is likely at the very end stages of mono,” Hamilton said. “They’ve cleared him to play. Fortunately for us and for him more importantly, it’s at the very end of it.”

Lind, who continues to lead the Rockets in scoring despite missing the last six games, could play this weekend. Hamilton confirmed that Lind will be available when the Rockets embark on its six-game road trip through the East Division early next month.

“So that will likely give him an opportunity to still be in the running to be invited to the World Junior Camp,” Hamilton said. “That was probably first and foremost in his mind right now, being able to be on that list – to be a candidate at least.”

As for the coming weekend, Hamilton confirmed Lind will not play Friday in Spokane, but may suit up for the Rockets final home game before the Christmas break, this Saturday against the Kootenay Ice.

Bruce Hamilton

“He’s going to skate here tomorrow and we’ll skate him Friday,” Hamilton said. “He won’t travel with the team (to Spokane) and then we’ll assess it on Saturday after the morning skate whether he can play of not.”

Lind has scored 11 goals and 21 assists in 20 games for Kelowna while compiling a plus-11 rating. The Vancouver Canucks selected Lind in the second round, 33rd overall at the 2017 NHL Draft.

Hockey Canada will announce is selection camp invitees for its entry at the 2018 World Junior Championship on Dec. 4.

DUBNetwork was in Kelowna and attended the post-game interview, which is available by clicking right here.

(DUBNetwork thanks Kevin Bain and The Kelowna Rockets for the game day audio/video.)