"It was really tough," Kile said. "I feel like the first half of the year I was struggling a little bit and then I finally started to get hot and I got that ankle injury. I missed about six weeks of the season, I came back a little bit early and I kind of re-hurt it. It definitely affected my senior season a lot."
The Wolverines lost to Penn State in the opening game of the Big Ten Tournament, and just like that Kile's career at Michigan was over. It was a difficult time, but he had to put it behind him quickly. Rochester signed Kile to a one-year contract for 2017-18 on March 20, four days after his collegiate career ended.
"I was pretty upset," he said. "I loved playing at Michigan and to see it come to an end like that was tough. But I was ready to move on and go to the next level. Rochester seemed like a good fit for me, they had a lot of injuries at the time and they were lower in the standings so I knew I had an opportunity to play. Being an undrafted free agent, all you want is an opportunity to play."
Kile scored three points in 11 games on an amateur tryout with the Amerks to end last season, including a goal in his second game. Tonight, he'll look to continue to make an impression as he makes his Prospects Challenge debut for the Sabres against the Boston Bruins.
With all new eyes on him, it'll be a welcomed fresh start.
"They don't care about what you've done in the past or what your status might be, who you are," Kile said. "They want to see you compete, compete in those three-foot battles, go to the net front and win your battles. They know the puck touches might be a little sloppy and the timing might be a little off."
