A look at the top prospects of Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League
There was a time when Calgary Flames, in the National Hockey League (NHL) produced some of the biggest names as prospects. They produced some of the biggest ice hockey names themselves and groomed them to glory.
Gary Roberts, Al MacInnis , Joe Nieuwendyk, Theo Fleur, Gary Suter and Mike Vernon are the names that comes to a person’s mind when he thinks about Calgary Flames but lately, they have not been able to produce any of the top prospect or a player which can match the class of above mentioned players.
John Weisbrod, the assistant general manager of Calgary Flames talked about his prospects and where they are struggling. He told NHL.com that it is because they cannot adjust to next level in time, which causes trouble for them, as he said,
"Sometimes you draft a guy that's a great skater or [has] great hands and all this, but then when he gets up to the next level, where everybody's a better skater and everybody has better hands, if they don't have the brain to figure it out and still maximize what they bring to the table, then they struggle”.
Mark Jankowski
Calgary Flames’ top pick of the 2012 NHL draft, Mark Jankowski, who was picked 21st overall in the first round, has not even turned 18 yet, and he is among the top prospect forwards.
The Hamilton, Ontario resident has not started his professional hockey career yet and played in the college hockey for Stanstead College before but next year he will play for Providence college.
6-foot-3, 170 pounder, who will turn 18 on next month’s 13, has got a size which makes his favourite to get a place in the Flames starting team soon. Weisbrod said about him,
"For a guy his size, he has really good instincts, and I'm extremely high on what this kid is capable of being. He was obviously playing in an obscure place against inconsistent competition”.
Max Reinhart
The Canadian national, Max Reinhart is another upcoming forward in Calgary Flames prospect’s list. Picked 64th overall in the 3rd round of the 2010 NHL draft, Reinhart plays in the position of centre.
The Vancouver, British Columbia resident was playing for Kootenay Ice in Western Hockey League (WHL) but switched to Abbotsford Heat in AHL last season. At the age of 20, he is expected to be playing in NHL soon.
Leland Irving
Calgary Flames’ 35-year-old goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff of Finland has already served them for so many years and it looks like it would not long before he leaves Calgary team. The surely have to look for a backup and Leland Irving is probably the best man for that job right now.
The Barrhead, Alberta resident is already 24-year-old and much more experienced for an NHL debutant. Though he made his NHL debut last year but got just seven games and he would surely be looking or more. Irving was also a gold medal winner with Team Canada in 2007 World Junior Championships.
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