Flames rookie Matt Coronato credits veteran teammate with key assist

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Throughout his first season within the professional hockey ranks, whether or not he’s been on the Calgary Flames’ roster or persevering with his schooling with the AHL’s Wranglers, it seems like there was one fixed for Matt Coronato, one teammate who he can all the time lean on.

On this case, Dryden Hunt deserves credit score for the help.

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They’ve been linemates within the minors. Extra importantly, Hunt has been a worthwhile mentor to the rookie right-winger.

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“He’s been enormous for me,” Coronato mentioned. “I feel we bought despatched down in the identical week at the start of the 12 months. And I feel from that time on, he talked me by a whole lot of issues.

“On the similar time, I performed with him for more often than not we have been down there and he’s an unbelievable participant. We had a whole lot of enjoyable enjoying collectively. However he positively is likely one of the guys that has taught me extra all through this season, nearly the entire technique of how skilled hockey works. I’m actually grateful for him and what he’s completed for me.”

Typically, that could be a phrase of encouragement. For a highly-touted prospect hoping to reside as much as the hype that comes with being a first-round draft selection, it might really feel like the tip of the world to be demoted to the minors.

“However I feel on the similar time, it’s like, ‘Hear, you gotta exit and earn it and work laborious,’ ” Coronato relayed. “I feel listening to that and having him there with me, motivating me and we’re motivating one another, enjoying with one another, attempting to assist the Wranglers win however attempting to play good hockey …

“Simply the entire manner by, being with Dryden has been actually useful.”

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Teammates have reward for Coronato

Coronato is, on this newest call-up, wanting an increasing number of comfy on the NHL degree.

Throughout an insightful post-game scrum Saturday, talking in regards to the emergence of a few of his up-and-coming teammates, workhorse defenceman and locker-room chief Rasmus Andersson twice singled out the youngest man on the roster, saying the 21-year-old Coronato “has been glorious” since being recalled from the Wranglers in early March.

“Since he’s been again up, I feel he’s been enjoying with a whole lot of confidence, a whole lot of swagger,” Andersson praised. “He’s hanging onto pucks. He’s making performs. You understand, he’s going to be a extremely good participant on this group for a very long time.”

Hunt, 29, additionally believes there are massive issues forward for Coronato. And if he can support that ascent, the journeyman ahead — now together with his sixth NHL group — is completely satisfied to assist.

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“He’s such an incredible child,” Hunt mentioned of Coronato, who has averaged simply north of some extent per sport within the minors and was chosen to characterize the Wranglers on the 2024 AHL All-Star Traditional. “He’s simply very inexperienced, proper? The whole lot is new for him. He’s been up and down, stuff he’s by no means needed to take care of earlier than. And sadly, I’ve handled a whole lot of the up and downs.

“You understand, typically he’s attempting to learn into completely different messages. He’s coming to me and asking, ‘What does this imply? Did I miss a play there?’ And I simply don’t need him to consider that as a lot and simply attempt to play to the perfect of his means and never fear in regards to the different little issues which might be taking place round. As a result of he’s such a very good expertise. The whole lot is simply so new to him, so he has a whole lot of questions. He involves me with a whole lot of questions and I attempt to reply them to the perfect of my means. However he’s a extremely sensible child, too. He simply needs to study as a lot as he can. He needs to be the perfect that he might be, and he needs to be within the NHL.”

Proper now, they’re each within the NHL.

‘The fitting particular person’

Heading into Tuesday’s date in opposition to the Anaheim Geese, Coronato had logged 25 appearances with the Flames this winter. Meaning he gained’t be classed as a rookie in 2024-25.

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Hunt has totalled 225 twirls on the prime degree, unfold throughout seven seasons and several other cities. The versatile depth dude is signed for not less than yet one more marketing campaign in Calgary.

Whereas Hunt could not get talked about as a key piece within the Flames’ retool, his affect across the Saddledome may very well be felt for a lot of, a few years if Coronato reaches his potential as a top-six sharpshooter.

Living proof, Blake Coleman was gushing earlier this week about all he realized from Travis Zajac firstly of his profession.

“Andrew Mangiapane nonetheless talks about Matt Frattin and Linden Vey, and people have been his linemates in Stockton,” added Flames head coach Ryan Huska, offering an instance from his stint because the farm-club skipper. “They’d fairly the affect on him with reference to serving to him perceive the right way to play the sport on the skilled degree but in addition the right way to deal with your self off the ice and care for your self.

“Younger guys want that. And if they’ve the precise particular person displaying them the way in which to go, then it simply results in a whole lot of optimistic issues.”

Definitely, Hunt has been a optimistic affect for Coronato — and this might become an vital help.

“Me and Matty, we’ve type of been on this journey collectively, and it’s been good to undergo it with him” Hunt mentioned. “It’s so laborious to play within the NHL, not to mention as a rookie. You simply must be affected person, as a result of his time will come. All people sees the flashes of what he brings.”

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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