‘It’s enjoyable going again,’ Wolf mentioned. ‘It’s a spot you lived and grew up as a child and also you’ve obtained good pals, so it’s good to return there’
![Dustin Wolf](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wolf.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=m5Q6rwuhr_plBYm2I1nAnw)
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As a child, Dustin Wolf’s wardrobe was filled with teal clothes emblazoned with the picture of a shark snapping a hockey stick in two.
He spent numerous nights cheering on his hometown San Jose Sharks on the now-SAP Area, dreaming of at some point suiting up within the NHL himself.
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At the moment, Wolf resides that dream.
The 22-year-old has made 13 appearances for the Calgary Flames this season after making his debut of their closing recreation of 2022-23.
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And if he’s tapped to start out on Tuesday, he’ll lastly get to play within the rink the place so a lot of his on-ice desires first fashioned.
“You all the time dream of taking part in, ever because you have been a child,” Wolf mentioned Monday. “You wish to play professional hockey, you wish to play within the NHL. To have that come true within the first place is fairly superior, and now getting the chance to return to the place I grew up and the place I’ve household and pals and a constructing the place I grew up watching plenty of hockey video games is fairly superior.”
It’s unclear whether or not the Flames will go along with Wolf or Jacob Markstrom in San Jose on Tuesday evening, however will probably be a particular expertise for the younger goaltender to be again within the enviornment both method.
He’s performed the Sharks twice to this point in his younger profession, as soon as within the closing recreation of final season in his NHL debut after which a second time in mid-February in what was sadly his worst recreation for the Flames.
Wolf’s moved on and performed lots higher within the seven appearances he’s made since that recreation, so there’s no purpose to focus too, an excessive amount of on one robust outing from a younger participant.
However there’s no query he’d like to have a greater efficiency in entrance of family and friends if he’s given the possibility on Tuesday evening.
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“You strive not to consider it, however that’s a recreation I realized lots from,” Wolf mentioned. “Now’s a possibility to hopefully give it again to them.”
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Usually, this week’s street journey to California ought to be particular for Wolf.
He grew up a Sharks fan and has numerous recollections of cheering on Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau and private favorite Evgeni Nabokov, however his household moved to Los Angeles when he was 10. The Kings have been within the midst of an excellent run that noticed them win two Stanley Cups, and Wolf couldn’t assist however get caught up within the pleasure.
He works out in Huntington Seashore in August most summers, too, and sometimes skates on the Anaheim Geese rink throughout these stretches.
So there are connections up and down the California coast, and Wolf’s obtained completely no downside admitting that it’s going to be particular to return as an NHL participant.
“It’s enjoyable going again,” Wolf mentioned. “It’s a spot you lived and grew up as a child and also you’ve obtained good pals, so it’s good to return there.”
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At this level within the media scrum, Wolf paused for only a second after which added one final thing concerning the state the place he grew up.
“And the climate’s fairly good.”
Again up
The Flames recalled defenceman Ilya Solovyov on Monday morning.
The Belarusian has had two earlier stints with the crew this season however hasn’t performed an NHL recreation since Dec. 11 towards the Colorado Avalanche.
He’s been glorious for the Calgary Wranglers within the AHL, although, and with Oliver Kylington listed as day-to-day with an upper-body damage, Solovyov may get a while in in the course of the Flames’ California street journey.
“We have now a pair bumps and bruises,” mentioned Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “We wish to make sure that now we have the right quantity of our bodies, for one. From all the pieces that we’re listening to he’s been our greatest man with the Wranglers for the final short time so he’s deserving of one other alternative.”
Mikael Backlund additionally missed Monday’s apply however Huska mentioned it was only for upkeep causes, whereas Andrew Mangiapane participated however remains to be listed as day-to-day.
daustin@postmedia.com
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