[MissTeeks]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...586/story.html

Columbus — Toiling in the Edmonton Oilers farm system during the late 1980s, Mark Jooris waited for the words.

And waited. And waited.

But, like so many hockey players in the minors with a dream, it just wasn’t meant to be.

“When I came back from Europe, I signed with the Nova Scotia Oilers and had a couple good games in the American League,” he said. “I was told, ‘It could happen, your name could be called.’ The call never came.”

So on Wednesday, when the call-up came from the Calgary Flames to his son Josh Jooris — and then from his son who broke the news to his dad — well, you can imagine the reaction.

The only problem?

“When he called (Wednesday) night, I was supposed to fly to Europe (Thursday) to play in a game,” said Mark Jooris, chuckling. “They do this once a year and the sponsor of the team I used to play for (the Berlin Polar Bears) brings in a team from Russia. They were flying in four imports to play this Sunday.

“So, we had a bit of a change in plans.”

Upbeat when he decision came down at the beginning of the month and up-beat on Thursday getting ready to go for dinner with fellow rookie Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus, Jooris is here now.

And who knows for how long.

“When I got that call, it’s just been all excitement,” said the former Union College alum who turned professional last season and played 73 games with the Abbotsford Heat in 2013-14. “I’m just really excited to be here now.

“I was out for dinner (Wednesday) with my roommates. I saw this 403 number and I didn’t have Brad (Treliving)’s cell number saved. I didn’t really know what to expect when I answered, then when he told me . . . it was pretty cool.”

The fact that the Flames had Thursday off also made his travel day a big lighter.

“I remember when my roommate (Ben Hanowski) got called up (last year) he got called at 12 and had to make a 1:30 flight. It wasn’t anything too crazy.

“I had time to gather my thoughts and pack up . . . it’s been awesome so far.”

“When you kind of take a step back and say it out loud, it’s a dream you know?” he said. “It’s what I’ve been working toward. It’s the NHL. It’s always been the end goal.

“If it happens (Friday), I’m not really sure what to expect. I’m going to try not to overhype it or get too excited or too nervous. I’m going to try to realize that it’s the same game I’ve been playing since I was young. ”

“I kind of played with him a little bit,” Josh Jooris said about the phone call to his family. “It was just a normal conversation then I asked my dad what he was doing this weekend and I said, ‘Well, you might have to cancel them. You might have to meet me in Columbus.’

“When they found out it was legit, it was pretty cool. They freaked out.”

For a good reason.

“It’s tough,” said Mark of his own journey to the promised land which gave him a lifetime of memories in the process. “It’s tough to get up there and then staying up there is even tougher. He’s just going to have to get up there and do what they ask him to do.

“And hopefully, he makes a long career out of it.”