'Where It All Started'

VANCOUVER — Two years ago, Sam Honzek took his first NHL strides at Rogers Arena.

Tonight, he’ll return back to where he debuted - in the city he starred in, in the WHL - as the Flames open their 2026-27 road schedule against the Canucks.

Honzek, the former Vancouver Giants captain and Flames first-round pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, has found a regular spot in the Calgary lineup to start the season, manning the left wing on a unit with Mikael Backlund and Joel Farabee. 

But that debut, two seasons ago, was unforgettable. The hosts stormed out to a 4-1 lead in their 2024-25 home-opener, only to have the Flames scratch and claw their way back in the third period, winning the game 6-5 in overtime and setting the tone for a 96-point campaign.

“The game by itself was pretty, pretty good,” Honzek recalled Saturday morning. “Down a couple goals, and then we tied it up and won in overtime, so it was kind of special. Got to experience the overtime of the first game. 

“Emotions were high. Every time I come back, it's just a good memory (coming) to this rink.”

Honzek spent just two seasons here as a junior, and trips downtown for the Ladner-based Giants are likely few and far between. But just being back on the West Coast brings back memories and emotions, too, allowing Honzek to rekindle relationships built in his first North American stop.

“My billets are coming to the game tonight,” the 21-year-old Slovak smiled. “So it's gonna be pretty cool to see them after the game. 

“It’s always good to come back. It's a special city, where it all started.”

In Backlund, Honzek has a mentor alongside him, too. A proven warrior, who’s just about seen it all over his near-two decades in the NHL. Both Honzek and Backlund were highly-touted imports in their junior days, too, both having to cut their teeth on this side of the pond in the Western League. 

Last season, the younger European was limited to just 18 games due to a mid-November injury suffered (coincidentally) in a freak collision with Backlund at the offensive blue line.

But as he prepares for his second career NHL game in Vancouver, Honzek is happy to have Backlund by his side.

“I take it as an honour to play with him, a privilege,” said Honzek. “He’s predictable. He does the system stuff right. 

“He's a good leader, so I always look up to him and kind of take as much as I can from him.”