Okposo's Debut a Success

Ever hear of this kid, Kyle Okposo?? If you haven't, you did now. Last year's first round draft pick made his home debut tonight and did not disappoint.

Kyle notched his first professional goal tonight and added two assists to his total. Two games...five points. How's that for a start?

The media attention and presence in the Sound Tigers locker room was MUCH different tonight than it was any normal night. Mike Fornabaio, who usually runs the show, got to take it easy for a bit, as Newsday's Mark Herrmann led the media blitz.

Once Chris Botta presented us with Kyle, Mr. KO didn't seemed fazed by the attention and took each question with confidence and poise. And that seemed to be something that Coach Capuano praised KO with tonight. He looked extremely comfortable out there and never panicked.

KO acted like a professional, taking all questions coming to him. Ken Dick got into the act as well, always like to see that! There were times where KO let out the kid in him as he went into his routine that helps him relax, "I like to go back home and watch some TV and wind down. I've been staying at Jeff's (Tambellini) place on the beach. It's great."

KO's rooming it alone right now since he found out that Jeff's heading to Ottawa on recall to the Isles. "Oh yeah, he left me a key," said Kyle laughing. He later added, "I got the house to myself!"

Is this kid the real deal? He's sure acting like he could be. With 5 points in 2 games, it could be the start of something big. It's important to see how he continues to play and how other teams adjust to him.

It's important for his development for him to stay with the Tigers for a little bit, but lord knows if he keeps this pace up, in this blogger's opinion, the Isles may just have no choice but to call him up!

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On a side note, we caught up with Kip Brennan after the game. Brennan, who knocked Springfield's T.J. Reynolds into next week, was sporting a goofy construction helmet that looked to be modeled with a Cincinnati Bengals motif and Isles and Sound Tigers stickers over it. He was unwrapping the tape from his hands, and before he left I made sure to ask him, "How's the hand?"

His response, simply put, "Sore. It's part of the job," as he said with a bit of a smirk.

That's a man who knows his role...