Calgary Flames prospects looking to turn some heads as they hit the ice for the first day of camp
Twenty-six prospects stepped onto the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome Thursday afternoon and many of them will never play a game for the Calgary Flames.
Two prospects that will be given every opportunity are first round picks Connor Zary and Jakob Pelletier.
Zary was the Flames first rounder in the 2020 NHL draft. This is his first camp with the Flames and even though the team brought in a number of veteran forward in the offseason, he says his goal is to make the big club this season.
"You're coming into the NHL, it's the best league in the world and every team is full of guys that have already played and veteran guys who have been around for a while," the 19-year-old said.
"I think what's communicated throughout every team is probably that a young guy coming in is always looking to take an older guys spot so I think that's what pushes the competition every single day."
PELLETIER'S GOAL IS TO STAY IN CALGARY AS WELL
Pelletier was the Flames’ first round pick in the 2019 NHL draft. The 20-year-old already has one camp under his belt and he says he's not here just to learn – he wants to be in Calgary this season.
"We're here to play. I think the whole staff that's going to make decisions and our job is just to play here," Pelletier said.
"The goal is to make the Flames team for sure."
MORE LIKELY TICKETED FOR STOCKTON
Even though they'd love to be here, the more likely scenario is for both young men to go down to Stockton and see plenty of action with the Heat.
Mitch Love is the Heat’s new head coach and he says he loves both player competitiveness and their hockey IQ.
"You know they think the game at a high level. You know I guess at this level now in the American Hockey League or the NHL you've got to make plays and think a lot quicker than you do in junior right. So that's one thing that they'll continue to work on."
GREAT FRIENDS ON AND OFF THE ICE
Zary and Pelletier have become very good friends over the last few years. They share a lot of connections. Besides to both being number one picks of the Flames, they've played at the U18 tournament together and won a silver medal with Canada at the World Juniors tournament. Pelletier says they like being around each other.
"It's kind of great to have a guy just like him here."
For Zary, it's not always easy to understand Pelletier who has a thick French accent. But he says that's what makes it fun.
"Yeah I'm just usually trying to figure out what he's saying half the time, that French accent," he said with a laugh.
"But he's a great guy, he's really funny and a great time to be around."
The Flames prospects will head to Edmonton on Saturday to take on the Oilers prospects. The same two teams will be at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday.
Puck drop for that game is 6 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.