Flames prospect Sam Honzek hoping to leaving injury woes behind

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Sam Honzek is hoping to complete this irritating season on a optimistic observe.

And, sooner or later, to keep away from ever having one other fairly prefer it.

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After being picked by the Calgary Flames within the first spherical of the 2023 NHL Draft, many anticipated Honzek to be a dominant pressure in what’s going to probably be his ultimate junior marketing campaign.

Bother is, the 19-year-old power-forward prospect struggled to remain wholesome, restricted to solely 38 outings — together with 5 spring showdowns — with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants and taking part in at lower than full-strength in a bunch of these.

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He arrived earlier this week in Calgary for an audition with the AHL’s Wranglers, though his skilled debut has been delayed by an upper-body ailment, a leftover from the WHL playoffs.

“I hope I’m eliminating these accidents so in my future, it’s simply going to be a traditional profession with no accidents,” Honzek advised Postmedia. “Hopefully, it’s going to get out of me proper now. Higher than later.”

The brass on the Saddledome are actually hoping the identical.

Honzek is a giant a part of the long-term plan, however there should be some concern that this run of tough luck may stall his improvement. You don’t achieve the identical type of expertise when your gear is hanging in your locker-room stall, though Honzek did profit from some bonus time across the Flames after struggling an stomach harm in early October throughout an exhibition eye-opener in opposition to the Oilers in Edmonton. He didn’t return to Vancouver till late November.

Honzek: ‘It was a extremely up-and-down season’

“It was just about a troublesome season,” stated Honzek, who averaged simply shy of some extent per recreation when he was within the Giants’ lineup. “Began with an harm, then performed 5 video games after which left for world juniors, so I wasn’t with the staff for 2 weeks after which I used to be gone. After which I got here again and first recreation again, I received injured once more, however an harm that I may play with. So nothing unhealthy, but it surely nonetheless impacts your thoughts.

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“It was a extremely up-and-down season. I might say I’m not proud of my efficiency in some video games. However that’s hockey and I must work on it. Particularly in the summertime arising, I would like to essentially dial it in.”

Earlier than he begins his summer season coaching routine, Honzek is aiming to assist the Wranglers with a Calder Cup push.

It’s a superb signal that he was happy with his work within the WHL playoffs, despite the fact that the Giants notched just one victory in a best-of-seven opening-round showdown in opposition to the Everett Silvertips.

Honzek, presently listed at six foot 4 and 195 lbs., potted a pair of targets throughout that sequence.

“In playoffs, I might say I did a superb job, or higher than I performed within the common season,” he stated. “So I used to be proud of that. And now, it’s simply the subsequent step the place I must be constant right here and convey my greatest each follow and each recreation, if I play.

“It’s powerful that we misplaced within the first spherical, particularly when our staff was fairly good, fairly good talent. However on the opposite aspect, I used to be wanting ahead to come back right here and be round these guys. As a result of that’s the subsequent degree the place I wish to play. That is positively the place I wish to be and the place I wish to transfer on to.”

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Honzek participated Friday in an elective morning skate with the Wranglers however was finally caught spectating as two different alternatives from the 2023 NHL Draft — centre Jaden Lipinski, who additionally wintered with the Giants, and defenceman Etienne Morin — logged their AHL debuts.

Calgary’s most up-to-date first-rounder is hoping he will probably be cleared for a double-dip subsequent weekend in Abbotsford. These are the ultimate regular-season dates for the Flames’ farm-clubbers. They’ve already clinched a playoff invite.

“I simply wish to get wholesome and ultimately get my spot within the lineup,” Honzek stated.

This expert Slovak hasn’t misplaced confidence that he’ll, earlier than later, be an element for the Flames. His purpose is to earn an NHL job within the fall. Plan B is to no less than show that he’s able to transition to the professional recreation.

“I consider in myself and I actually wish to push myself this summer season and to battle for the Flames,” Honzek stated. “And if that doesn’t go properly, I wish to actually make the Wranglers.

“I simply wish to be specializing in right here and I wish to keep right here for subsequent yr. So I’m going to do all I can for that.”

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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