In terms of National Hockey League cities Calgary is about as close to home as it gets for a prospect draft choice.
So when Saskatoon’s Connor Zary was selected 24th overall by the Flames in the most recent edition of the NHL draft his family was probably thinking about the miles they will be putting in their vehicles driving to watch games at the Saddledome.
When Zary might debut with the Flames of course in an unknown for the 19-year-old centre, made even less certain because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a recent telephone interview Zary wasn’t even sure if he’d be attending Flames camp when the NHL ramps up for a season proposed to start in January.
“I don’t really quite know how everything is happening. It’s a little bit different (due to the pandemic and league start up),” he said, adding as a result “everything is up in the air a little.”
Of course everything this year is up in the air a little, even the draft which was held in October, with players not in attendance as has been the norm in recent years.
Still Zary said “the draft was awesome,” even if he wasn’t on-hand to don a Flames jersey after his name was called. It was still “a pretty special moment.”
That it was the Flames who called the six-foot centre’s name did not come as a great surprise either.
“They were kind of one of the teams in the mix,” he said, adding “I talked to quite a lot of teams... from July up to the draft teams would reach out.”
Of course that process was different this year too.
“It was all done over Zoom, or the phone tele-conferencing,” said Zary, noting it had to be different for the teams too, relying on film much more than watching draft eligible players in the heat of playoff runs this year.
That said, the Flames weren’t exactly Zary’s favourite team growing up, not that he actually had one team he followed.
“The Leafs (Toronto), a little bit more,” he said, adding that was a case of following the team that his Dad liked.
Zary himself was less drawn to a team, and more to watching the elite players wherever they played, Sydney Crosby, Patrice Berg-eron, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews. But, who among the elite was his favourite?
“I’d have to say Crosby, every kid my age I think liked Crosby. He was the best player,” said Zary, adding he’s still elite today.
Given the situation of the pandemic, and his age, Zary said he has little expectation of playing as a Flame next season. It is more likely he will return to Kamloops where he has played
192 games over the last three seasons with the Western Hockey League team. Last season he recorded 38-goals and 48-assists for 86 points in 57 games.
In the short term Zary has one other hockey goal in mind though – making Canada’s men’s national junior team for the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championships to be held in Edmonton starting Christmas Day.
“I want to be on that team,” said Zary, adding “I didn’t make it last year.”
And, of course being a Flame is on Zary’s horizon. He admitted he watched the first day of free agency with added interest, especially when Calgary signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a six-year deal.
“I hope I’m there within that time frame,” he said.
As a first round draft choice that seems more than likely, but Zary is modest in his expectations, saying he will continue to work to get better as a player to finally earn a spot.
So what does Zary think he needs to work on?
“Just keep working on my speed, my quick feet,” he said, adding at 19 strength too is a big thing, but that is something that comes as one ages too.
“I’m not going to be there this year. It’s another year to develop,” he said.
The WHL is currently scheduled to begin Dec. 4.
