With hockey and family, Ferland finds sweet spot
Brynlee Ferland is at an age where she understands what her dad does for a living.
But, while her dad, Micheal Ferland, plays for the Calgary Flames and is one of the top 10 goal-scorers in the best hockey league in the world, the toddler is fairly confident every player she sees on the big screen is him.
“She watches all the games at home and points at the TV. I think when she sees any hockey player, she says ‘Daddy,’” Ferland said with a chuckle, relaxing before Friday’s game at BB&T Center in Florida. “It’s pretty funny.”
But not as funny as when Brynlee and fiancée Kayleigh were at the Flames skills competition at the Scotiabank Saddledome last Sunday.
“The Hitmen were getting ready to get on the ice and Brynlee was running around, talking to all the players and saying, ‘Daddy,’” Ferland said.
“When she sees me in person and can see my face, she’ll know who I am. But when she sees any other hockey player, she’s not too sure.”
This season is shaping up to be a career campaign for the 25-yearold Swan River, Man., native.
For most of the last two seasons, Ferland has played on the team’s top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Ferland’s 19 goals and nine assists in 42 games is, by far, his best statistical season with the Flames.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “They’re both great players and like to create offence off the rush. I was more used to getting pucks deep and playing a grinding game. But I found, playing with Johnny and Monny, you’re going to get more looks off the rush.”
And he’s been finding the back of the net.
Not surprising, according to Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan.
“When I saw his shot a year ago, and we put him with Johnny and Monny and saw his ability to make plays, I did tell him at the end of the year that scoring 20-plus goals is a reality,” Gulutzan said. “I’ve seen players who didn’t quite have some of the talent that he has score 20. I thought it was a very real possibility for him.”
At one point in his development with the Flames organization, however, it seemed like an unreachable feat. His history, his early struggles as he learned how to be a professional, his battle with alcoholism, all has been well-documented.
But the hard work has paid off and now Gulutzan sees a sense of belief within the player.
“If you’ve never done something and you want to and you’re getting close to it, sometimes that can spill over,” Gulutzan said. “It can continue on.”
The Flames extended their winning streak to six on Friday with a 4-2 win over the Panthers and have one more stop on this four-game road trip (Sunday at Carolina). The road trip will keep Ferland away from his family for a week.
But while Brynlee is able to watch her dad on TV (she thinks, anyway), they also stay connected through the magic of FaceTime — “Five times a day,” he estimates.
“I just love to watch her grow,” Ferland said.
“And she’s definitely changed me a lot. If you have a tough time at the rink, you can go home and hang out with her. I’ve realized that hockey is my job and I’ve put that much more into it so I can take care of her.”