Bowling Green State University Athletics
Senior forward Kai Kantola (above) will try out for the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kantola Off to AHL for Amateur Tryout
March 10, 2010 | Ice Hockey
Norfolk Admirals (AHL) announcement
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- A day after teammate Kyle Page signed to play with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) it was announced that another BGSU Falcon would get his shot at playing professional hockey. Kai Kantola had signed a Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) with the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kantola comes off a senior campaign where he scored 12 points (5g, 7a) for the Falcons. Of his five goals, three were scored on the power play. As the season progressed, Kantola improved in the goal scoring column having scored four of his five goals from Jan. 3 on. All of his goals this season were scored in games decided by one goal or less. He had his most consistent stretch of games scoring a point in four straight matches between Nov. 6 and Nov. 14 (1-3--4) including a goal against Ferris State (Nov. 7) in a 3-2 loss. Against the then No.1 Miami RedHawks, Kantola posted his tenth multiple point game when he scored a power-play goal and an assist in a 3-2 Falcon loss. He also blocked a career-high 14 shots this season.
After the signing was confirmed, BGSU Falcons interim head coach Dennis Williams said, “Kai has always kept his feet moving and moves the puck well. He has got some great size and speed and with all that together, he can definitely use that to his advantage moving on as a professional hockey player."
Kantola finished his career with Bowling Green recording an assist in the team's 6-1 loss to Nebraska-Omaha in the finale game of the CCHA Tournament's first round action between the Falcons and the Mavericks. He leaves Bowling Green having played in 135 games, scored 28 goals, 26 assists (54 points) and notched 13 power-play goals over his four year career.
After Kantola's signing, the Falcons have now sent two of its seniors of to play or tryout for a professional team. Yesterday, Kyle Page signed with the nearby Toledo Walleye of the ECHL and is expected to be in action in the team's game in Trenton, N.J. for the Walleye's game against the Devils.
"It's nice from our stand point (BGSU) to see us prepare players for their professional careers and its great to see people interested in our players," said Williams. "They both certainly deserve it."
BG Hockey : Kevin Piel w/Dennis Williams
Friday, April 25
BG HKY Postgame 3/15/25
Sunday, March 16
BG Hky Postgame 03.08
Sunday, March 09
BG Hky Postgame 3.7
Saturday, March 08