Calgary Flames thrilled with performance, give Roman Horak chance at season opener -NHL News Update
Calgary Flames had announced over the offseason that they have had enough with staying out of the playoffs and hope to make decisions that would enable them to become a Stanley Cup contending team again next season.
Having their last chance at the Stanley Cup finals back in 2004 when they lost against Tampa Bay Lightning in a close seven game series, Calgary is on the verge of making a comeback and it seems to be that their investing their hopes in the younger players.
Calgary announced on Sunday, October 2, that Roman Horak, a 20-year-old prospect centre, will be playing with the franchise and will be on the line-up for the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season opening game.
“He’s here”, Flames coach, Brent Sutter, said Sunday after practice. “At this point in time, you have to expect him in our opening-day line-up”.
Showing a brilliant performance throughout the preseason with Flames, Horak proved that only scoring goals does not guarantee a spot on the major league roster. Instead, Horak proved that he was valuable and could contribute to the team by playing in a style
which suited them.
For Sutter, it was more than enough to convince him.
“He’s earned everything he’s got to date. He’s played well here. He’s done anything that you could ask for”, Sutter added.
Being a player with a big frame, Horak knows very well how to handle it. Intelligence on the ice is what Sutter believed is his highest quality as a player and knowing what to do with the puck once you have control of it gives him that much needed advantage
over the other prospects.
“A very, very good hockey player . . . a very intelligent player, skill to go with it”, said coach Brent Sutter. “Great hands. Great vision. It’s certainly been a pleasant surprise. Every game he’s been in, he’s been one of the best players on the ice”.
For the rookie, it is surely surprising to hear the news that he will finally be getting a taste of what it is like to be playing professionally and could be the next big thing for Calgary on the road to a Stanley Cup championship.
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