This is going to be an interesting summer. One has to wonder how many more will go an also if, when, and to who Gavin McKenna may land.
Cayden Lindstrom, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ fourth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, capped a challenging season by returning to the Medicine Hat Tigers for a Western Hockey League (WHL) championship run and an appearance at the Memorial Cup, despite battling a significant back injury. After undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in November 2024, Lindstrom’s determination to rejoin his junior teammates paid off as he played four games in the WHL finals, contributing two goals and two assists to help secure the championship. However, a painful leg injury from a hit during the WHL finals limited his participation, forcing him to miss Game 4 and the Memorial Cup opener, though he battled through to play in the Tigers’ final three games of the tournament. Despite the Tigers’ loss to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup final on June 1 in Rimouski, Quebec, Lindstrom expressed gratitude for the experience, noting that it was a significant mental and physical milestone after a season fraught with uncertainty. His resilience and commitment to his teammates underscored his drive, as he prioritized returning to Medicine Hat over starting early offseason training, finding closure in competing alongside his junior squad.
Looking ahead, Lindstrom has chosen a new path for the 2025-26 season, committing to Michigan State University’s hockey program, a decision enabled by a recent NCAA eligibility change allowing Canadian Hockey League players to join U.S. college teams starting in August 2025. The move to the Spartans, a top NCAA program with state-of-the-art facilities and a highly regarded coaching staff led by Adam Nightingale, aligns with Lindstrom’s desire to challenge himself against older, stronger competition while benefiting from fewer games (34 compared to the WHL’s 68) and more practice time to refine his skills and recover fully from his injury. Lindstrom was drawn to Michigan State’s NHL-style practices and the team’s intense, professional atmosphere, despite interest from other schools like Ohio State and playful nudges from Blue Jackets teammates with ties to rival Michigan. With his NHL-ready size and talent, Lindstrom’s stint at Michigan State could be brief, potentially just one season, before transitioning to a professional career, bolstered by the development opportunities and competitive environment he’ll find in East Lansing.
Link to Columbus Dispatch article