LOCAL FLAVOUR

The Flames are slated to pick 19th in the first round of the NHL draft on Oct. 6. Flames.com's Ryan Dittrick profiles some players who may be on the board when that selection rolls around.
The new normal might take some getting used to.
But a once-in-a-lifetime moment calls for a safe and socially distant, once-in-a-lifetime party, all the same.
"The best part," said Bragg Creek native Dylan Holloway, "is that my whole family will be a part of it.
"That's all that matters.
"I'm in Madison, Wisconsin already for the school year, but they're all able to cross the border and come down so we can all enjoy draft night together.
"What could be better, right?"

While every young player dreams of growing up and making that famous walk to the draft stage, grabbing that jersey, posing for photos and the shaking the hands of executives, coaches, managers and icons, the Holloway family is making the best of it.
"My mom (Torrie) - who's actually from Michigan - was able to rent an Airbnb with a big backyard, so we're going to spend the night back there and maybe invite some of my teammates over to watch.
"At the end of the day, it's the NHL Draft. It's one of those days that I've looked forward to my entire life. And now that it's here, virtual or not, it's going to be awesome."
Holloway, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, made a name for himself in his home province two years ago when he was named the AJHL's MVP, and the Canadian Junior Hockey League Player of the Year, after finishing second in goals (40) and points (88) with the Okotoks Oilers.
He added eight goals and three helpers in seven playoff games, to boot.
Two years earlier - while Holloway was playing his Triple-A hockey with the Junior Flames program in Calgary - the NHL's newly minted Calder Trophy winner, Cale Makar, was the recipient of both awards after having a similar impact on the frozen Alberta sports scene.
Talk about good company.

Holloway - like Makar - is a rarity, having graduated from the AJ to the NCAA ranks, and flourishing in his freshman campaign after adjusting to the pace of the much-ballyhooed Big-10 program.
In 35 games, the 6-foot-1, 203-lb. pivot had 17 points - but with five of his eight tallies coming in the final 10 spins of the season.
It was only a matter of time.
"The AJHL is a great league, but the NCAA was such a big step up for me," Holloway said. "Guys are so much bigger, stronger, faster, and when you combine all three, it took some getting used to, for sure.
"I'm a guy who likes to have the puck on my stick. I love to make plays. So, there definitely wasn't as much time out there. Sometimes in the AJ, you can hang onto the puck a little bit more, that extra half-second, but in the NCAA, you kind of have to know what you're going to do with the puck before you get it.
"That was definitely a big adjustment, but over time, I started to feel more and more comfortable, more confident with the pace, and I think that showed in my game.
"It's like any other step up in competition. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities, and trust in what got you there."
Holloway, whose father - Bruce - played pro in the 80s and even suited up for a couple of games with the Vancouver Canucks, certainly has the pedigree.
He's the No.12-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, and after one quick look at the highlight reels, the star-studded package he brings to his year's class is glaringly obvious.
His vision with the puck and ability to read plays in transition are especially strong, while his speed, size, and defensive acumen make him a threat to produce at both ends of the ice. He loves the physical side of the game, too, and prides himself on winning puck battles, but has the poise and the grace to make plays under pressure, and dazzle crowds with his creativity and instincts around the net.
He's the ultimate in modern-day, game-breaking power forwards.
A first-round lock.
Where, exactly, he slots in is anyone's guess, but anywhere from picks 10 through 20 seem likely and with the Flames holding the 19th-overall selection, the local product could potentially don his hometown colours on the night of Oct. 6.

"From the time I stepped on campus last summer to now, entering my second season as a Badger, I know I've gotten way better as a hockey player," Holloway said.
"I knew that with a program like the one here in Wisconsin, I would have all the tools, all the resources, I could possibly need.
"We work out about three times a week during the season, practice every day and play games on the weekend. It's awesome. There's definitely a lot of time to practice and work on your individual skills, as well as the chance to get bigger and stronger with all the time we spend in the gym. You know, I played 50-some games in my last year in the AJ, so having a lighter game schedule in college, I think it's beneficial to slow things down and work on developing your skills a bit more.
"That's kind of what made it such an attractive option for me. I know I can do great things here and really get my game to the next level.
"So, it's up to me to do that.
"I was able to have some more personal success at the end of last year and that really helped with my confidence.
"I can't wait to get the new year started."