'CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL'

You could say it was a little like Christmas in July for Micheal Ferland.
The rugged and talented left-winger signed a new two-year deal with the Flames Thursday, staying with the only team he's suited up for in his NHL career.

Ferland was just the latest player move for GM Brad Treliving, who's been a busy man this off-season trading for goalies Mike Smith and Eddie Lack and defenceman Travis Hamonic, resigning forward Kris Versteeg and blueliner Michael Stone, wooing heralded college free-agent Spencer Foo and tendering qualifying offers to nine players, including Ferland.
So not only does Ferland have a contract keeping him in the Stampede City, he's returning to a team that has significantly bulked up its roster for next season.
"Super excited," said Ferland. "It's something we've been working on for the last little while and I think it's going to be exciting times coming up in Calgary and I'm very happy to stay here.
"I have a lot of great friends here, great teammates and my family is here - my daughter was born here. I love this city, I love the fans and I love it in Calgary."
When asked about all his new faces wearing the Flaming C, he had praise for Treliving and great optimism for the coming campaign.
"Tre has done a great job bringing in really good players and I'm really looking forward to this year," said Ferland. "I think we got a chance to do something special. We have a great group of guys in that dressing room and I'm excited to see how it unfolds."

The Brandon product played 76 games with the Flames last season recording career highs in goals (15) and points (25). The 25-year-old has played 173 career NHL games, all with the Flames, notching 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points while accumulating 111 penalty minutes.
Referring to the Flames dressing room as close-knit group of players striving to win but also focused on community involvement and helping better the city, he said the team has an incredible foundation in place that makes the club wonderful to be a part of.
"It's unbelievable the character we have in our dressing room," said Ferland. "Gio (captain Mark Giordano) is a great leader and a great person. You got other guys like (Matt) Stajan who has really shown us the ropes. We definitely do have a lot of fun coming to the rink with the group we have."