Scratched junior hockey player forced to take over behind team bench

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Cooper Godin
March 23, 2024 (9:21)

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A very unusual situation took place during Friday night's Ontario Hockey League game between the Sarnia Sting and Saginaw Spirit.

Sarnia Sting overage forward and Florida Panthers prospect Kai Schwindt was not in the team's lineup for their final home game of the 2023-24 season on Friday night. In order to be closer to his teammates, the Sting allowed Schwindt to serve as an assistant coach during the game.

But late in the game, the Sarnia Sting were left in an awkward position with Kai Schwindt being the only coach on their bench for a brief period of time.

Late in the third period, Sarnia head coach Alan Letang and assistant coach Michael Haley were ejected from the game by the officials, leaving Kai Schwindt as the only coach on the Sting's bench for one mintue until general manager Dylan Seca rushed down from the press box for the final two minutes of the contest.

"In all my years, this is a new one...Sarnia Sting Coach Al Letang got ejected, and then later Assistant Micheal Haley was ejected. Leaving the Sting with no coach until GM Dylan Seca ran down from the pressbox. OA Kai Schwindt was on the bench, and about to take over." OHL reporter Terry Doyle said in a post on X.

The Sting, who are already eliminated from playoff contention, would go on to lose to Saginaw by a score of 4-2. Schwindt's junior hockey career will come to a close on Saturday night against Flint Firebirds, but it's safe to say that he'll remember this moment for a very long time.