Still a teenager, Morgan Klimchuk is nevertheless well versed in hockey’s abrupt curves.
You know, the heavy-handed business of it all.
Twice the Calgarian has seen his junior outfit — the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League — overhaul its coaching staff.
Klimchuk’s introduction to the National Hockey League has been no less educational:
* Drafted a year ago by Jay Feaster, then general manager of the Calgary Flames.
* Signed to an entry-level deal by Brian Burke, interim general manager.
* Assessed in his Abbotsford Heat exit meeting by Brad Treliving, now general manager.
“Yeah, that was exactly it,” says Klimchuk, chuckling at the re-cap. “You have to learn to adjust because it’s going to happen throughout your career. Things like that are definitely out of your control. You take care of what you can and, when you’re on the ice, make sure you’re performing and doing what you can do.”
Which he did with the Pats this past season — 74 points in 57 dates — before making four late-season appearances in Abbotsford.
Which he will soon do here.
Klimchuk is one of the prospects invited to the Flames’ development camp this weekend at WinSport’s Ice Complex.
“I’m really excited for it,” says the 28th pick of the 2013 NHL draft. “Whenever you get a chance to make an impression on anyone in the organization — especially all the new faces — it’s an opportunity. Going into camp, that’s what I’m looking to do — make an impression.
“You can’t make the team out of development camp, but you can definitely show what you can do.”
At last summer’s camp, there had been no Brad Pascall, no Burke, no Treliving.
And no Sam Bennett for that matter.
Or Hunter Smith. Or Brandon Hickey.
So there’s a desire to re-establish the pecking order.
“Whenever there’s new players joining the organization,” says Klimchuk, “you want to see how you stack up. And having Treliving there — he probably hasn’t seen a lot of us play in person lately — that’s something I’m definitely looking forward to ... showing them that, come training camp in September, I’m looking to play a big role.”
One thing for sure — he won’t need a formal meet-and-greet with Bennett, the hotshot pivot drafted fourth overall in Philadelphia.
The forwards skated on the national under-18 side last spring and, in fact, had been roommates on the gold-winning entry at the world championship in Sochi, Russia.
“I know him quite well,” says Klimchuk, a left-winger. “A great person and an even better player.”
So when his employers chose Bennett?
“I was really excited,” he says. “For the Flames to get a guy like that, who I am pretty familiar with? It’s very beneficial because you can skip the introduction.”
Asked for a snapshot of his chum, Klimchuk doesn’t hesitate.
“Real good all-around player — he does it all. He’s someone who doesn’t like to get pushed around. He can contribute on all sides of the puck. Good with the puck. Good away from the puck. It shows why he was the fourth-overall pick. He could have been the first-overall pick — he’s that good.”
For Klimchuk — and his buddy Bennett — this week kicks off a hectic stretch.
You know, the heavy-handed business of it all.
Twice the Calgarian has seen his junior outfit — the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League — overhaul its coaching staff.
Klimchuk’s introduction to the National Hockey League has been no less educational:
* Drafted a year ago by Jay Feaster, then general manager of the Calgary Flames.
* Signed to an entry-level deal by Brian Burke, interim general manager.
* Assessed in his Abbotsford Heat exit meeting by Brad Treliving, now general manager.
“Yeah, that was exactly it,” says Klimchuk, chuckling at the re-cap. “You have to learn to adjust because it’s going to happen throughout your career. Things like that are definitely out of your control. You take care of what you can and, when you’re on the ice, make sure you’re performing and doing what you can do.”
Which he did with the Pats this past season — 74 points in 57 dates — before making four late-season appearances in Abbotsford.
Which he will soon do here.
Klimchuk is one of the prospects invited to the Flames’ development camp this weekend at WinSport’s Ice Complex.
“I’m really excited for it,” says the 28th pick of the 2013 NHL draft. “Whenever you get a chance to make an impression on anyone in the organization — especially all the new faces — it’s an opportunity. Going into camp, that’s what I’m looking to do — make an impression.
“You can’t make the team out of development camp, but you can definitely show what you can do.”
At last summer’s camp, there had been no Brad Pascall, no Burke, no Treliving.
And no Sam Bennett for that matter.
Or Hunter Smith. Or Brandon Hickey.
So there’s a desire to re-establish the pecking order.
“Whenever there’s new players joining the organization,” says Klimchuk, “you want to see how you stack up. And having Treliving there — he probably hasn’t seen a lot of us play in person lately — that’s something I’m definitely looking forward to ... showing them that, come training camp in September, I’m looking to play a big role.”
One thing for sure — he won’t need a formal meet-and-greet with Bennett, the hotshot pivot drafted fourth overall in Philadelphia.
The forwards skated on the national under-18 side last spring and, in fact, had been roommates on the gold-winning entry at the world championship in Sochi, Russia.
“I know him quite well,” says Klimchuk, a left-winger. “A great person and an even better player.”
So when his employers chose Bennett?
“I was really excited,” he says. “For the Flames to get a guy like that, who I am pretty familiar with? It’s very beneficial because you can skip the introduction.”
Asked for a snapshot of his chum, Klimchuk doesn’t hesitate.
“Real good all-around player — he does it all. He’s someone who doesn’t like to get pushed around. He can contribute on all sides of the puck. Good with the puck. Good away from the puck. It shows why he was the fourth-overall pick. He could have been the first-overall pick — he’s that good.”
For Klimchuk — and his buddy Bennett — this week kicks off a hectic stretch.
Canada’s world junior camp in Quebec in early August. Then, a few weeks later, main camp with their respective junior clubs.
Then rookie camp with the Flames.
Then, if all goes well, main camp in Calgary.
No worries, though.
“Coming into last summer, I was told that these next couple summers are going to be the busiest ones of your career,” said Klimchuk. “You get into that mental mindset. It’s go, go, go, for a while. You get used to it. It’s not bad. It’s good to have all those opportunities. I wouldn’t want anything else.”
(Calgary Herald)
Then rookie camp with the Flames.
Then, if all goes well, main camp in Calgary.
No worries, though.
“Coming into last summer, I was told that these next couple summers are going to be the busiest ones of your career,” said Klimchuk. “You get into that mental mindset. It’s go, go, go, for a while. You get used to it. It’s not bad. It’s good to have all those opportunities. I wouldn’t want anything else.”
(Calgary Herald)
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