Hudler out to rehab ab injury
Chalk up Jiri Hudler as the first Flames’ casualty overseas. The 28-year-old has been released by the Czechbased KHL club Lev Prague so he can rehab an abdominal muscle injury.
“I don’t treat it now it only gets worse,” Hudler told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. “The pain isn’t unbearable but bothers me. Mainly limits mobility.”
Hudler’s rumoured replacement with Lev Prague is fellow Flame Roman Cervenka, who is playing for HC Slavia Prague of the Czech league.
Considered one of the best players in the world last year outside of the NHL, Cervenka, 26, is scheduled to make his North American debut in Calgary if, and when, the lockout is resolved.
Brother act pays dividends
There’s nothing quite like sibling rivalry to make a person dig deep in the sometimes monotonous grind of off-season training sessions.
So says Max Reinhart, the Calgary Flames prospect who works out every summer with younger brothers Griffin and Sam in West Vancouver.
Griffin, 18, is a first round (fourth overall) draft pick of the New York Islanders. These are early days, but Sam, 16, is projected to go in the topfive of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
“We’re all working toward the same goal.” said Max, 20. “We’re working out and we go together to ice sessions. It’s a fun way to train and keep you interested in hockey.”
The interest level is never higher than when Max looks up to see Griffin or Sam.
“Whenever you’re going against your brother in anything, you’re going to make sure you win,” he said. “I think that’s also a good motivation, too.
“Griffin is probably stronger than me in most things, so I get to push myself extra hard whenever we’re doing the same kind of thing.”
Max Reinhart has no ego issues in conceding Griffin’s edge in anything to do with brute power or force.
“Not at all,” said the six foot, 190-pounder. “When you’re six-foot-four, 220 pounds, you’re just going to be stronger than, well, me.”
Although the schedule promises to be hectic this year in Abbotsford, Max pledges to keep close tabs via the Internet on young Sam.
As a 16-year-old, Sam collected 28 goals and 62 points last season in 67 games on the same team as Max, the Kootenay Ice.
In four games this season without his big brother, Sam has two goals and five points.
“Their team is not what it used to be, and it’s going to be a new experience for him,” Max said. “I think this is going to be a good challenge for him to be the guy who has to be doing well if they’re going to win.
“I’ll be watching all year.”
Canucks fans cool to Heat
The struggle continues for the Abbotsford Heat to win over diehard Vancouver Canucks fans in the Lower Mainland.
To that end, the Calgary Flames farm team has historically embraced talented prospects with ties to the area.
Enter Ben Street, a Coquitlam-born centre who put up 57 points in 71 games last season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Watch for Street, 25, to play a major role this season in the Heat’s top-six.
“He’s very unassuming,” said head coach Troy Ward. “He has a very good brain. He really thinks the game well and moves around the rink fairly well. He’s got a very catlike release.
“He’s just a finisher. He’s always been a finisher.”
Finishers just happen to be hard to come by in the Calgary organization.