Training Camp Weekend in Review

Published on September 19, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Calgary, AB - It was a busy weekend in Calgary for the Flames and Abbotsford Heat hopefuls with the transition from rookie camp to main camp.

Friday saw veterans check in for fitness testing and medicals, equaling the first official action at camp for many prospective Abbotsford Heat core players such as Leland Irving, Quintin Lang, Ben Walter, Paul Byron, Guilluame Desbiens, Jordan Henry, and Stefan Meyer among others.

The younger Flames prospects, which are a week into their training camp after competing in the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, BC, played their fourth game on Friday as they defeated the University of Calgary Dinos 4-0 at Father David Bauer Arena.

Saturday & Sunday had all camp attendees split into three different groups where they skated and went through dry-land training.

SUTTER IMPRESSED WITH YOUTH PUSHING FOR JOBS

Flames Head Coach Brent Sutter had lots of praise to shower on the youth at camp including junior and AHL players alike. "There's some free agent signings that they've made to play in Abbotsford that are really good and have some good experience, and there's a push there too. There's nothing written in stone. Guys are going to be fighting for spots just like these young kids are pushing to play (in Calgary) there will be a push for players to play (in Abbotsford) too. That's what you want. You want to see that competitive nature throughout the whole organization, and then you work on a merit scale."

TROY WARD PLEASED WITH HEAT TALENT EARLY IN CAMP

Heat bench boss Troy Ward has a better perspective than anyone else on the Heat players of last year and how they are measuring up in training camp, as he served as an assistant for the club last season and is the only returning member of the Heat coaching staff.

"I think our young guys from last year in Abbotsford have definitely taken a step forward." said Ward "I think they had a great summer of training and that's first and foremost. A year ago they kind of came to this whole thing a little bit unsure of what to do and when to do it. I think they grew up a lot last year through their experience in the American League, and they got a little bit more focused on their training and understood how much of a push it would take for them to make a challenge here in camp."

ORTIO ADJUSTING, LOOKING UP TO KIPPER

Joni Ortio has played every minute of the four prospect games the team has been involved in, but it's a workload he's happy to shoulder.

"There's been a lot of hockey obviously, but it's nice to play." said Ortio "That's crucial for me to get adjusted, to get a lot of games, and I'm happy the organization provided me that opportunity; I'm really happy about it."

Aside from the big minutes, Ortio is enthusiastic to be playing with one of his hockey idols. Ortio hails from Turku, Finland which just happens to be the home of Flames starting net-minder Miika Kiprusoff.

"When I saw I was in the same group as him, it felt pretty unreal." said Ortio "Since I was a little kid I've looked up to him and watched him play in my hometown. First, it felt a bit unreal, but we're here to practice hard and be at our best, but obviously it's nice to out there with him. We've been talking quite a bit. That's nice to have a buddy to talk Finnish with around here. He's been a big help."

SPLIT SQUAD GAME WITH CANUCKS ON TUESDAY

The Flames and Canucks will play two split-squad pre-season games on Tuesday night from Rogers Arena and the Scotiabank Saddledome. The games will allow for one final evaluation of players in game action prior to the first round of cuts.

Thursday will see the Flames pare down their camp roster in size with coaches and players travelling to Abbotsford to begin the Heat camp.

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