[MissTeeks]

Bennett upgrades weight, updates jersey number

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...-jersey-number

Even through the off-season, he managed to boost his numbers.
On his bathroom’s scale — to more than 190 pounds.
On his sweater’s back — from No. 63 to No. 93.
All of which are positive signs for Sam Bennett, filling out physically and getting to sport his favourite number (which he says he’s been wearing since he was 13 years old).
Already, his helmet’s stickers reflect the switch.
“Pretty cool,” said Bennett, who, in anticipation of the Calgary Flames’ rookie camp, arrived in town Sunday. “I’ve been wanting to have my number for a while. It’s nice to have my number again.
“But it doesn’t really matter that much. It’s just preference, I guess.”

“I put on a good eight to 10 pounds,” he said after Tuesday morning’s shinny session at the WinSport Ice Complex. “I definitely put extra focus on putting on some extra mass, getting stronger.
“I feel good. I had a real good summer of solid training. No problems at all. It’s nice to get a full summer of good training.”
Already a household name in Calgary, Bennett has skated in exactly one regular-season contest. Of course, he didn’t look out of place in the spring, dressing for all 11 of the team’s playoff jousts and drawing four points, including three goals.
Now 19, Bennett said: “Looking back on it, it was a really special year for me. But after I got over that, I think it’s just focusing on this year coming up now.”

No one has discussed future deployment plans with Bennett.
“I definitely do feel comfortable at centre — that’s where I’ve played most of my life,” he said. “I’m able to play any position — I showed that in the playoffs. But I’ll be happy to play anywhere.”
With the rest of the greenhorn class, Bennett reports for rookie camp’s fitness testing Thursday, then travels to Penticton, B.C., for the Young Stars Classic.
“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to getting the season going since we (were eliminated) in the playoffs last year. I’m excited to get going again.
“It’s right around the corner now.”

Playoff wrecking ball Ferland anxious to crank up hit parade again despite no contract

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/playoff-wrecking-ball-ferland-anxious-to-crank-up-hit-parade-again-despite-no-contract

The show-stopping lack of a contract doesn’t appear to be bothering Micheal Ferland.
Even at this late juncture.
Calgary Flames training camp opens next week and Ferland — torn oblique muscle healed, weight at a tidy 210 pounds — is anxious to build on the body of work he started last spring.
So the fact that he is, quite glaringly, without a binding deal?
No concern, apparently.
A broad-shouldered shrug.
“I’m calm about everything,” Ferland was saying after Tuesday morning’s informal session at the WinSport Ice Complex. “You never see me get un-calm.”
(Said general manager Brad Treliving later in the day: “No updates. A quiet day. Nothing new to report there. There’s still time before we start camp.”)

And, on the ice, he became a legitimate difference-maker.
“A lot of times, it just felt so surreal,” he said. “Sometimes I sit back and think, ‘Wow, I actually played in the playoffs last year.’ It still hasn’t really sunk in. I’m starting to get used to the guys and used to being around this stuff now.
“It’s really nice. I’m just honoured to play this sport. I love this game.”

Even if that aggressiveness — crashing back-bendingly into the boards in front of the Flames’ bench after missing Dan Hamhuis with a heavy lick — did lead to the wrenched oblique.

“The only time I was really feeling it was when I playing physical and hitting guys,” Ferland said of the injury that restricted his performance in the second round against the Anaheim Ducks. “But it’s good now. It took about a month and a half till it was completely (healed).
“I’m perfectly healthy now.”
Which must have hockey-pool devotees wondering — what kind of production could be expected in a full NHL season?
He himself has set offensive targets.
“But nothing I want to say (in) public,” said Ferland, who bagged five points, including three goals, in his nine post-season dates. “I want to play like I did in the playoffs — play physical and let the rest of my game come together from there.
“I’m really looking forward to the season. Really excited … really looking forward to camp. Getting things going.”

Treliving looking past McDavid hype at his own rookie crop at Penticton this weekend

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/treliving-looking-past-mcdavid-hype-at-his-own-rookie-crop-at-penticton-this-weekend

Regardless of the hype up north and the masses who will be flocking to see the newest Edmonton Oiler to wear No. 97, Brad Treliving is choosing to remain concerned with what is happening in his own backyard.
“The attention around Connor McDavid is going make for a lot of excitement at the tournament,” acknowledged the Calgary Flames general manager just a few days before the Young Stars Classic tournament in Penticton, a hot-spot late vacation destination for hockey fans and NHL brass alike.
“That’s going to happen. But our focus is on our team and getting a read on them. McDavid will be there and that’s great.
“But that’s not our team.”

But at the South Okanagan Events Centre for the Flames, it’s about their own talent and where that may or may not fit for their organization down the road.
“For a lot of guys, it’s their first taste of hockey at this level,” Treliving said. “You temper it, it’s early September. There will be a lot nerves. You’ve sort of sat in the office, banged away at things, got guys locked up. Now you get to see them play.”

Bennett, 19, is likely destined for the big club this season after missing most of last year with a shoulder injury (which was later operated on). He returned to action with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs before being recalled at the end of the season and for the duration of the Flames playoff run.
“He’s like every player — you want to get a sense of how he’s moving around,” Treliving said. “It’s different than last year … he is well over the injury, he finished the year in Kingston, and he played NHL playoff games. It’s not necessarily about seeing how the shoulder is holding up. It’s like any player, you want to see how the summer training went and how it translates on the ice.”

That being said, an early glance at the depth chart shows that vacancies in Calgary are slim. Given the moves and developments over the summer (Dougie Hamilton, Michael Frolik, a healthy Mark Giordano, ect.), jersey numbers will be tough to come by.
But Treliving insists the incoming crop of rookies should not think that way.
“Guys are coming in here to earn jobs and show well,” he said. “Regardless of the team, there’s always people that surprise. You’re always looking for surprises at training camp. Every year there are surprises. Who that is and what that is, we don’t know yet.
“You always want scenarios where decisions are hard to make.”