By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
CAYUGA—In April 2024, former Cayuga Minor Hockey player Ethan Kindree achieved an impressive milestone when he was selected 51st overall in the OHL draft by the Owen Sound Attack. With his rookie year complete, he is looking forward to returning to the ice for his second season and more opportunities for success.
Kindree describes his first year with the Attack as “very good”. While the team didn’t get past the first round of the playoffs, he says, “The goal was to make the playoffs. That was really good. We were a really young team…. We came together well.
“It was a big learning curve for me … playing against older and faster guys,” continues the centre who played 47 games this year. “I enjoyed it a lot.”
Making the playoffs was a major highlight: “That was huge,” he recalls. “We had a watch party to see the Soo (Greyhounds) beat Sarnia,” as a Soo victory was needed for the Attack to get in to the playoffs.
Defeating Kitchener in overtime in the game played for cancer research was also exciting. Of course, Kindree will always remember his first goal as he shares, “Scoring my first goal in Ottawa was a great feeling.”
Another memorable night was game three of the playoffs against the London Knights. Kindree played 17 minutes and had an assist. London went on to win the Memorial Cup.
At the end of the season, Kindree received the Dan Snyder Memorial Award, which recognizes an Owen Sound player who “comes to the rink every day and has a positive outlook all the time”. Kindree says that he always had a smile on his face and was ready to learn and improve.
“I was always first on the ice and last off the ice,” he adds. In fact, Kindree had a 90 day streak of spending two and a half hours on the ice every day. He says, “I was really fortunate to receive that award.”
He was also recognized for his academics, earning a nomination for the Ivan Tennant Award.
During the off-season, Kindree’s training includes working out six days a week and on ice training three times a week. He works with skating coach Liz Manley to become a more efficient skater. He roller blades five times a week at the Fisherville Lions Park and says, “It’s an amazing rink there!”
Kindree is focused on improving and developing his skills, stating, “I’m working on getting faster, being able to get there first and win more puck battles. I’m working on my lower body to be faster and stronger.”
Improving his shot for a faster, more accurate release is also a priority. With a determined focus, Kindree is building toward the goal of making the NHL Combine in April 2026. Getting on a power play line is also important and he says, “I want to be a driving force for our team.”
The busy training schedule is balanced with work at a local greenhouse and being a soccer referee in Haldimand. While he enjoys his summer break, Kindree is looking forward to returning to Owen Sound for training camp in the newly renovated arena and seeing all his teammates. He enthusiastically states, “I’m pretty eager to get back on the ice every day and get ready to make a run for it.”
