Calgary Flames prospect Christopher Breen impressing team, enjoying family time-NHL offseason Update
Christopher Been, an aspiring ice hockey player for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Calgary Flames club has finally done what he has not been able to do for over four years now, and that is impressing the club management into considering him for a spot
on the roster.
After playing a number of seasons with various minor league franchises like Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes, also both in the OHL, Breen was picked up by Calgary Flames as a prospect and has played two
seasons with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Abbotsford Heat.
Last season was especially different as the 22-year-old defenseman actually put up some numbers and best of all; he showed physical improvement in his game playing tactics, which actually made him look like a defensive player.
Calgary Flames director of player development, Ron Sutter, admitted that in the start when team scouts found Breen, he did not have much potential but now it is a totally different story.
"I don't think there were any real expectations going in", Sutter said. "Number 1, we knew that he would have to fight and compete for a job to stay in Abbotsford with our defensemen there. The team and the coaching staff slowly brought him along, and as
we did that he gained some confidence. What we recognize most is that for a big guy he moves pretty darn well on the ice. Jimmy (Playfair, coach) used him as the year went on, and his responsibilities grew".
He played 73 games last season with Heat and potted 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in total but more important than that was how he performed with his 6-foot-7 figure. Registering 47 penalty points, Breen had a monstrous presence on the ice throughout the
season and had players scrambling all over the place in order to avoid the giant defender.
Still being highly unlikely to be playing regular next season, Calgary is considering on testing him out on the ice in a few regular season matchups. According to Breen and his family, consisting of his wife and nine month old baby daughter, Skarlett Rose
Breen, there would not be anything better for them than to play in the professional league.
Tags: