[mile]

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/cice...am-with-flames

“I listened to Craig Conroy’s press conference after the first day of free agency, and he was saying, like, ‘We want young guys to come in here and take a job,’” Cicek said over the phone Wednesday morning. “He was definitely alluding to the 22 to 25-year-olds, obviously I’m right at the top of that, being a 25-year-old.

“I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder, I have something to prove. I didn’t think that I needed to go to Europe, I thought I deserved an NHL contract two years ago, but things happen for a reason, and I’m here now.

“I’m going to come into camp, proving to everyone that I’m here to stay and I’m here to take a job. I’m not going to back down from the older guys or guys that are more seasoned in North America. I’m here to prove that I’m what Calgary wants, and I’m going to do my best to take a job on that top roster.”

“Calgary had been watching me throughout the season, they came and saw me a couple times, and they had been in contact with my agents pretty much all year round. We knew they were definitely interested, and then, I would say that week before July 1, my agents were talking about how they were more interested and there could be a deal coming, then (Assistant GM) Brad Pascall reached out and said, ‘We would like to sign you.’