‘That’s your dream phone call’: Flames summon Connor Zary from farm team
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Published Oct 31, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 4 minute read
Connor Zary with the Calgary Wranglers. Courtesy of Calgary Wranglers
Calgary Flames forward prospect Connor Zary was parked on the couch, his phone in hand, when the screen lit up with an incoming call.
Brad Pascall, an assistant general manager for the Flames and boss for the AHL’s Wranglers, was on the other end of the line.
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Zary, who has been making a strong case for his first NHL call-up, figured this could finally be the good news.
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At least, he was hoping this was good news.
“It’s not often that you get a call from the GM or assistant GM on an off-day,” Zary grinned Tuesday, shortly after his promotion was made official. “So either you’ve done something really good or you’ve done something really bad, right?
“So there was a little bit of nervousness at first. Like, ‘Oh crap, what did I do wrong?’ ”
Pascall was calling because of what the 22-year-old has been doing right.
The Flames, who have mustered a grand total of six goals during a five-game losing skid, are desperate for an offensive boost. They’re hoping Zary, their first-round pick in 2020 and the leading point-producer for the farm team this fall, can help.
He’ll likely log his NHL debut in Wednesday’s date with the Dallas Stars at the Saddledome (6:30 p.m. MT, Sportsnet One/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).
“As a kid, playing hockey, that’s your dream phone call,” Zary said. “It’s pretty special to get that one.”
He earned it.
Zary, after a solid training camp showing, started the AHL campaign on a six-game point streak.
He’s already notched nine assists, including three on the power-play, and scored the game-winning goal for the Wranglers in Saturday’s home opener.
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On Tuesday, during his first practice with the Flames, Zary was working the left wing on a line with Nazem Kadri and Yegor Sharangovich. Head coach Ryan Huska is optimistic that “putting him with Naz gives a little life to our team.”
“Connor has done what we asked him to do when he got sent down,” Huska said. “We asked him to go down and find his one thing that separated him from other players. A lot of things for Zary come down to the way he can make plays and see the game, and I think you’re seeing that with what he’s done in the American League so far.”
Zary, now in his third professional campaign, was admittedly a little sour to be reassigned to the minors toward the end of training camp.
Not necessarily a bad thing.
“I talked to Connie (Craig Conroy) and Husk when I left here and they said, ‘Be pissed off, but be pissed off in the right way and show us why you should be here,’ ” he relayed. “I think I took that personally and took that back and wanted to prove what I can do down there. I’ve been pushing.”
Lacklustre Calgary Flames in need of spark
The Flames, off to a dreadful start, with a 2-6-1 record so far, certainly need a nudge.
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While it’s not fair to expect this latest call-up will immediately fix all that’s gone wrong, Zary can provide some skill, playmaking ability and the sort of feel-good that comes with racking up 10 points in your past six outings, even if those were at a lower level.
“I think it’s just sticking to what I’ve been good at and playing with confidence,” Zary said. “And I’ve been playing the wing for the last little bit of camp and the first six games in the American League, and I’ve felt really comfortable there. I’ve found my stride and I think I’ve been able to play with a little bit more speed being on the wing. If I can play with that pace and move pucks quick, that’s going to allow me to open up opportunities, especially in the offensive zone.”
In his hometown of Saskatoon, Zary’s family and friends are also ready to move quick.
As soon as he receives confirmation that he’ll debut against the Stars, there will be a surge of traffic on the highway to Calgary. It could be the same story on the road from Kamloops, where he starred for the WHL’s Blazers.
“They’ll get their go-bags ready,” Zary beamed. “I’m excited for what’s to come. Obviously, (Wednesday) is a new day and we’ll see what happens with the lineup and everything. But when I get my chance, when I get my opportunity, just make the most of it.
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“It’s going to be special, no matter when it comes. I’m going to want to take all it in. But at the same time, make an impression and take advantage of the opportunity.”
ICE CHIPS: Zary, who is listed at 6-foot and 185 lb., has totalled 38 goals and 62 assists in 140 career contests in the AHL … Dillon Dube and Nikita Zadorov missed Tuesday’s practice for ‘maintenance.’ Asked if they’ll be good to go against the Stars, Huska replied: “We’ll see. As of this point, yes.” … Adam Ruzicka, who has missed the past two games due to a shoulder injury, skated solo prior to the main group.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
On X: @WesGilbertson
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