The sweet sounds of steel churning ice and pucks hitting twine at this time of year could only mean one thing: Development Camp.
As fans scurried to catch first looks at some of the players including the new 2023 Flames draft class, players and staff went to work for the crucial first step in getting them set for the new season.
"When we leave here, we'll have a real good understanding in what we've got to do for them," said Ray Edwards, Director of Player Development. "Each player, when they leave here, will have a development plan put together. The action pieces is a critical part. We'll have goals and objectives for everybody, but it's how we're going to get to those goals, that's the key piece."
Development camp is just the tip of the iceberg as players get acquainted with staff and fellow skaters, but it's also a big opportunity to make an impression.
And with new faces like Sam Honzek, Étienne Morin, Jaden Lipinski and free-agent invites coming in, it gives the staff a chance to work with them for the first time.
"We don't have that much time. We're late in their training program for this year," Edwards said on the tight turnaround. "Our guys who were under contract, drafted earlier, they've been going already for two months. We've already dug in with those guys.
"When you draft people, you understand where they may project. Everyone's got different roles. You have to have different roles and pieces to the puzzle. Each development plan is different depending on what the role is and what they need to get better at. They all have their own niches that we have to focus on and get into."
When Flames GM Craig Conroy took over the helm back in May, he made it clear that everyone would get an opportunity.
That message has resonated with all in the organization and you could see it translate on the ice with a lot of tight, hard battles.
It's what you want to see - everyone bringing their best.
"It really helps us because it drives them," Edwards said. When you know that there's opportunity, our message comes across a little more clear and it excites them. Just to see and hear that from Craig, drives these guys more than they already would be."
