Monahan ‘taking it easy’ preparing for Flames camp
Sean Monahan did a brief lap on Tuesday with the group of mostly Calgary Flames assembled at WinSport.
Then the 21-year-old headed onto another sheet of ice with only strength and conditioning coach Ryan Van Asten to work on some solo drills.
While he’d rather be skating with his pal Johnny Gaudreau and Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, Monahan is content with the recovery process following a slight tweak of his back.
“I’m just gearing up to get ready to get rolling,” said Monahan.
“I’ve been here for about a week now and I’ve been on the ice a couple times, so I feel good.”
The skates are light, but the Flames’ No. 1 centre and assistant captain reports he’s feeling better.
“I’m just taking it easy and getting back at it,” he said. “I just want to get back to 110 per cent. I was working on a few things (Tuesday) and I could probably go out and skate with (the rest of the players), but there’s no need to rush it with camp around the corner.”
Monahan, who made the decision to opt out of the World Cup on Sept. 2, is focused on being healthy long-term.
Especially after signing a handsome seven-year, US$44.625-million contract extension.
“Obviously, I’m focused on the Flames and they made a longterm commitment to me,” he said. “That’s what I take my pride in. I was obviously working towards the World Cup. I started training in late April to get in shape for that camp, so I was pretty disappointed not to be able to take part in that.
“But like I said, my commitment is to the Flames.”
ICE CHIPS
Also skating at WinSport with the assorted Flames who are trickling into the city as training camp approaches: D Mark Giordano, C Matt Stajan, RW Brandon Bollig, D Ladislav Smid, D TJ Brodie, LW Lance Bouma, D Deryk Engelland and D Dennis Wideman ... C Sam Bennett and D Dougie Hamilton are expected to be on the ice Wednesday.