COVID protocols prompt NHL debuts for Schwindt, Taylor
Posted Dec 17, 2021 12:37:00 PM.
With NHL teams facing COVID-19 protocols, more and more teams are turning to their AHL affiliates for backup.
It's meant more NHL debuts, and Thursday marked another pair of debuts with ties to Waterloo Region.
Breslau native Cole Schwindt played his first NHL game for the Florida Panthers.
Schwindt had 17 points in 25 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.
He didn't get on the score sheet, but registered five hits in just under 10 minutes of ice time.
Florida lost 4-1 to the LA Kings.
“Obviously, getting a chance to play your first NHL game is something every kid dreams of,” Schwindt said after the game. “I didn't have much trouble getting legs for tonight. I think I tried to have a pregame nap when I got into Florida this afternoon, and there was no chance I was falling asleep.”
“There was a lot of jitters, and a whole ton of excitement. I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life.”
Meantime in Nashville, COVID kept members of the coaching staff off the bench for their game against the Colorado Avalanche.
That meant members of their affiliate in Milwaukee had to step in, including head coach Karl Taylor.
Taylor's spent a number of years behind the bench in the ECHL and AHL before getting this opportunity.
Taylor was previously the head coach of the Waterloo Warriors men's hockey team.
“It was a pretty exciting 24 hours, and very fortunate to be in a great organization,” he said. “It's weird circumstances, we all understand how that goes but can't say enough about the players and how they welcomed us, and received us as just normal coaches.”
He registered his first win as an NHL coach, as the Preds took down the Avs 5-2.
?? @c_schwinny10 ROOKIE LAP ALERT ?? pic.twitter.com/GARFi7J7B3
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 16, 2021
Tonight’s your night, @C_Schwinny10!! ?? pic.twitter.com/1nvEE38d7u
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 17, 2021
“The coaching staff here has done a wonderful job with a great group of guys. You can just tell the energy and how they care about each other, how they didn't allow anything that occurred today [to phase them].” pic.twitter.com/unqqHtrDyx
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 17, 2021
