Kellan Lain (born August 11, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who most recently played for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

Kellan Lain
Lain playing for the Utica Comets in 2014
Born (1989-08-11) August 11, 1989 (age 35)
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Vancouver Canucks
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–2017

Playing career

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Following the completion of his junior playing career, Lain played college hockey for the Lake Superior State Lakers. He played three seasons for the Lakers registering 21 goals, 39 points, and 210 penalty minutes in 108 games. After graduating, Lain signed with the Vancouver Canucks on a one-year contract.[1][2]

 
Lain during his tenure with the Chicago Wolves

Upon signing with Vancouver, Lain joined their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.[3] He played in 13 games for Chicago and did not register a point.[4] Though he failed to score, Lain was re-signed by Vancouver in the off-season to a two-way, two-year, $1.2 million contract.[2] Lain was seen as a possible candidate for the fourth line centre positions heading into Canucks training camp for the 2013–14 season.[2][4] He failed to make the team and was assigned to the Canucks' new AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Upon joining the Comets, Lain was re-united with former Blades teammate Jeremy Welsh and Oakville native Brandon DeFazio.[5] Lain played 19 games for Utica before scoring his first professional goal. It was part of a two-goal performance against goaltender Joey MacDonald, helping the Comets to a 4–3 overtime win over the Abbotsford Heat.[6]

Lain made his NHL debut on January 18, 2014, in a home game against the Calgary Flames. Lain set an NHL record for the fastest fight and fastest game misconduct to start a career at 2 seconds, during a brawl off the opening faceoff, surpassing the previous record of 12 seconds set by John Ferguson of the Montreal Canadiens in a fight with Ted Green of the Boston Bruins on October 8, 1963.[7][8] Three days later, Lain scored his first and only NHL goal in his second shift of the game. It was his first shot on goal, and it was scored on Ben Scrivens of the Edmonton Oilers in a 2–1 Vancouver victory.[9][10] Lain played eight games for Vancouver before being reassigned to Utica for the Olympic break.[11] While playing in the Olympics, Canucks' centre Ryan Kesler suffered a hand injury and Lain was recalled from Utica when the Canucks returned from the break.[12] Five days later, Lain was again reassigned to the Comets after playing in one game.[13]

On November 20, 2014, Lain was traded by the Canucks to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for centre Will Acton.[14] He was assigned to the Oiler's AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons for the remainder of his contract.

To begin the 2015–16 season, Lain signed a try-out contract with the Manitoba Moose. He failed to feature in any games with the Moose before he was released from his try-out on October 19, 2015.[15] Lain agreed to a one-year contract with the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL and was immediately signed to a try-out with AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild on October 25, 2015.[16] On March 17, 2016, he was signed to a PTO contract for his second stint with the Utica Comets.[17]

As a free agent over the summer, Lain was unable to attain an NHL or AHL contract, opting to sign a one-year deal with ECHL outfit, the Idaho Steelheads, on September 20, 2016.[18]

He retired from professional hockey after the conclusion of the 2017 season, though he played for the Stoney Creek Generals in 2018–2019, capturing the Allan Cup.[19]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Oakville Blades OPJHL 31 9 13 22 51
2008–09 Oakville Blades OJHL 47 19 23 42 74
2009–10 Oakville Blades OJHL 16 8 9 17 16
2010–11 Lake Superior State Lakers CCHA 38 4 4 8 40
2011–12 Lake Superior State Lakers CCHA 38 9 6 15 59
2012–13 Lake Superior State Lakers CCHA 32 8 8 16 111
2012–13 Chicago Wolves AHL 13 0 0 0 6
2013–14 Utica Comets AHL 63 7 12 19 129
2013–14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 9 1 0 1 21
2014–15 Utica Comets AHL 10 0 1 1 20
2014–15 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 2 0 0 0 4
2015–16 Iowa Wild AHL 14 2 1 3 17
2015–16 Utica Comets AHL 2 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Idaho Steelheads ECHL 52 12 16 28 35 5 1 3 4 10
2016–17 Bakersfield Condors AHL 2 0 0 0 2
2018–19 Stoney Creek Generals ACH 5 3 5 8 2 9 2 5 7 2
NHL totals 9 1 0 1 21

References

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  1. ^ Botchford, Jason (March 16, 2013). "Canucks sign Kellan Lain, and may not be done". The Province. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Wagner, Daniel (July 27, 2013). "Canucks re-sign four restricted free agents to completely fair and therefore unexciting new contracts". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  3. ^ "Three Skaters Join Wolves Roster". Chicago Wolves. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Pap, Elliott (September 12, 2013). "Kellan Lain hopes to become a centre of attention for Canucks". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  5. ^ Kuiperij, Jon (December 2, 2013). "Former Oakville Blades reunited with AHL's Utica Comets". Oakville Beaver. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  6. ^ Kinvig, Dan (November 30, 2013). "Lain's offensive breakthrough, Pelletier's OT heroics lead Comets past Heat". Abbotsford News. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  7. ^ "This Day in Hockey History – October 8". Hooked On Hockey Magazine. October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  8. ^ Schwartz, Nick (January 18, 2014). "Vancouver's Kellan Lain ejected after two seconds in NHL debut". USA Today. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  9. ^ Tucker, Cam (January 22, 2014). "Canucks news and notes: Kellan Lain fights, scores during memorable first week in NHL". Metro Vancouver. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Vancouver Canucks rookie Kellan Lain having a memorable start to NHL career". National Hockey League. The Canadian Press. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  11. ^ Yerdon, Joe (February 9, 2014). "Roundup: Hey everyone, let's go to the AHL!". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  12. ^ Woodley, Kevin (February 24, 2014). "Canucks' Kesler to meet with doctors". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "Canucks reassign Lain to Comets". Vancouver Canucks. March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "Edmonton Oilers trade Will Acton to Vancouver Canucks for Kellan Lain". Edmonton Journal. November 20, 2014. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  15. ^ "Moose release forward Kellan Lain". Manitoba Moose. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  16. ^ "Wild adds big forward to the lineup". Iowa Wild. October 25, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Comets sign Kellan Lain to PTO". Utica Comets. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  18. ^ "Steelheads add NHL experience with Lain". ECHL. September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  19. ^ "Murphy's Mailbag: What's the latest on Micheal Ferland?". Sportsnet. January 29, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
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