Flames prospect fired up for Saddledome debut
Nothing against Winsport’s Markin Macphail Centre, but Calgary Flames first-round pick Jakob Pelletier is pumped about this change of scenery.
With the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards now wrapped up, the Flames’ rookies will move into the Saddledome on Tuesday, just in time for an exhibition game against prospects from the provincial rival Edmonton Oilers.
“It’s going to be crazy. Maybe I’m going to be nervous,” Pelletier said with a grin.
“I think I’m going to be pretty excited. And I have to take the excitement and show on the ice what I can do. If I stay the same player and stay the same person, I think I’m going to be all right.”
Tuesday’s early showdown against the Oilers will mark Pelletier’s first spin at the Saddledome, the soon-to-be-replaced winter home of Johnny Gaudreau, Mark Giordano & Co.
The Flames took Pelletier with the No. 26 overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Asked what he hopes to showcase in his home debut, the 18-year-old left winger didn’t hesitate.
“A guy who doesn’t give up, a guy who works hard and can show some things on offence and defence, too,” Pelletier said. “And a guy who is pretty competitive, I would say.”
The Flames love his competitive spirit.
It seems certain that Pelletier will return for another campaign with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Moncton Wildcats, but the buzz-saw forward would prefer to stay put at the Saddledome for the entire winter.
“My mindset is to leave it all here,” Pelletier said.
“At the end of the day, … I’m going to try to focus on what I can control. If I leave it all here, we’re going to see what happens next.”