‘Put your best foot forward’: Flames leaving roster spots open for young talent

PENTICTON – A handful of minutes after being credited with a greasy goal, there was Lucas Ciona throwing a series of heavy punches to the face of a Vancouver Canucks hopeful Friday night.

One game into the Flames Young Stars tourney and it’s clear the beefy winger got the message: stand out in camp and there’s a chance you’re staying with the big club.

It’s a mantra that’s been repeated by coach Ryan Huska and followed up by GM Craig Conroy.

For the first time in years it’s not just lip service, as the club has veered from its recent habit of signing aging veterans late in the summer.

Jobs are truly up for grabs.

“The one thing we talked about when Ryan and I first came together is we want to give these young guys an opportunity to make the team,” said Conroy, who has earmarked several roster spots for youngsters to crack the opening night roster.

“We want to see if they can do it, so we haven’t brought in any PTOs yet. We’re still talking to a few names because you want to add a little depth, but when the young guys can see that it will make it that much more competitive.”

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Conroy cites the example set by Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk who all made the big club thanks to strong rookie camps.

Part of it is out of necessity, as the organization is capped out and needs young, cheap talent to fill out the roster.

It’s also indicative of the fact the club appears to be on the precipice of a significant retooling, as six veterans eye up the possibility of bolting town after this season.

“It’s exciting, I mean that’s what you want to hear,” said Ciona of the messaging that prompted him to cut his 6-foot-2 frame down from 228 to 216 pounds in preparation for his first pro season following a solid stint as the Seattle Thunderbirds’ captain.

“It kind of gives you a little more confidence coming into camp realizing, ‘hey, there’s room to make it out here. It’s closer than you think.’

“So put your best foot forward, don’t dip your toe in, and get right in there.”

Ciona’s goal and fight in Friday night’s 7-1 loss to the Canucks was one of the lone standout efforts for a club outshot 36-13.

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All eyes at this edition of the Okanagan tourney are on Flames first rounders Matthew Coronato (2021) and Sam Honzek (2023).

A solid camp from the former will make the Harvard standout a natural starter in the top six to open the season.

“I’ve got to go out and prove it and be at my best,” said the 20-year-old right winger who worked on his skating all summer and gained confidence from a solo spin in the NHL at the end of last season.

“I think it definitely maybe helps motivate you a little to do that when you hear spots are being left open.”

As an 18-year-old, Honzek’s camp will have to be spectacular for him to make the jump right away and avoid returning to the Vancouver Giants.

“I think it’s a big deal for me, especially when they told us there’s a lot of players from development camp and rookie camp who then played a whole season in the NHL,” said the 6-foot-4, 186-pound Slovakian winger.

“Basically they told us it was possible and they can see it.

“For me it’s a big thing, but I try not to think about it.”

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Adam Klapka and Rory Kerins are two others here in camp the club is watching closely.

Jakob Pelletier is not at the Young Stars tourney, but is a lock to open his second season with the Flames at age 22.

Same with Walker Duehr.

“I think you need young guys in the lineup to be successful,” said veteran Blake Coleman.

“No different than talking about Connie and Husk, anytime somebody jumps into a role that’s new and exciting they just bring that energy.

“Pelts obviously is an easy example because the guy just screams energy with everything he does, and over the course of an 82-game grind you need someone with that excitement to remind you of that joy that this game brings you.

“It’s important to have those guys and it’s important for us to make them feel welcome, and like they can be contributors at this level, because I know sometimes it’s not that way.

“For teams to really succeed and to win championships, they’ve got to feel welcome. They’ve got to feel important. There’s no shortage of young talent here. I think it’s going to be fun to watch them grow into NHL players.”

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