Woodstock is fortunate to have a hometown player leading the way in their quest to capture the Schmalz Cup this year. Kyle Baker has been at or near the top of the PJHL scoring list since the start of the season. He currently is in second place behind Mathew Halle from Amherstview Jets who has 19 goals and 33 assists. Kyle is a close second with 16 goals and 32 assists. The Navy Vets are in a competitive division with Wellesley, Tavistock and New Hamburg having strong teams along with Woodstock.
Kyle played his minor hockey in Woodstock. When he was playing midget in 2017-18 in Woodstock he was an affiliated player with the Navy Vets.
In the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 seasons he played 97 games with the Cambridge Redhawks of the GOHL. He scored 24 goals and had 47 assists during those two years. He added 6 assists in 12 playoff games. He also played in the GOHL 2019 Prospect game.
The Navy Vets named Kyle Captain of the Navy Vets after getting his release from the Redhawks this past summer.” Woodstock head coach Darren Young says Kyle is a tireless worker and a great leader for the hockey club. His work ethic combined with an extremely high skill level allows him to be a difference-maker each and every night. Kyle is a big reason for our 14-3-2 start this year.”
Kyle was named the Player of the month in the Doherty Division in October scoring 9 goals and adding 11 assists in 9 games.
Woodstock GM Matt Fidlin says “Kyle has been an exceptional addition to the Navy Vets hockey club. He is a really good offensive player but his play in all 3 zones of the ice makes him a great team leader.”
Kyle says playing for Woodstock in the city I grew up playing minor hockey in was an easy decision to make. To have kids in the Community look up to us as players as I did when I was their age is very fulfilling. The Navy Vets organization is top tier from the coaching and management staff to the volunteers. Every day showing up to the rink is a great one, with the first-class dressing room and the atmosphere the fans bring every night. The PJHL is a great league for the development of players of all ages. Being able to work with and mentor young players on our team is something all of the older players take pride in.”
Having players like Kyle in the PJHL helps put fans in the seats in the Doherty Division. His leadership on and off the ice is obvious in the way he wants younger kids to look up to him. Woodstock is fortunate to have a hometown leader like Kyle.
The top 4 teams in the Doherty Division will make for an exciting playoff this year. Looking forward to watching some of those games.
Doug Kennedy-PJHL