Another Eritrean connection in the Big leagues: This time in the National Hockey League.

It was around a year ago when Eritrean's found out that an Eritrean-American from San Diego made it to the NFL after being drafted by the NY Giants. Nat Berhe who has been nursing a calf injury this spring should be ready to play this fall after what should be a great summer training camp. He has every opportunity and the talent to go along with it. Nat Berhe whose father is an Eritrean was the talk of the Eritrean social media and news after the NFL draft last year. 

It seems like another Eritrean Oliver Kylington (pronounced Shylington) has been drafted in the second round by the Calgary Flames of the NHL. So to the Eritrean community in Calgary here is another reason to go cheer the flames in the upcoming season. Oliver whose mother is an ERITREAN grew up in Sweden where his father was a Swede hand ball player. He played competitive soccer as a kid. Born in May 1997 he has grown up to be a very quick athlete on the ice and off the ice. His ability to move fast has earned him a spot on the Swedish club team AIK as well as the under 18 Swedish national team. Even though a defence man he has been able to score goals through his ability to move fast. As a second round draft pick and a player who has a lot of talent he should see some action with the Calgary Flames right away.

Here is the scouting report on Oliver and we wish him the best of luck as he makes a career in the NHL probably the best professional hockey league in the world.

• A two-way defenseman, Kylington split the 2014-15 season between Farjestad of the Swedish Hockey League (2-3—5 in 18 GP) and AIK of Sweden’s second division (4-3—7 in 17 GP). He also suited up for 10 games with Farjestad’s junior team, registering 4-3—7 in 10 appearances. In 2013-14, Kylington became the youngest player to score a goal in SHL history (16 years, 4 months, 10 days) after netting the game-winner in his Farjestad debut.

• Internationally, Kylington has represented Sweden at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He was unable to participate in the 2015 World Junior Championship due to injury.

• Lists Johnny Oduya of the Chicago Blackhawks and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, both fellow blueliners, among his favorite NHL players.

Eri-International sports blog.