'I'm Really Grateful'

Aristotle said that prosperity is the “ornament” of education.

Adversity, though, is the “refuge.”

For Daniil Miromanov, a disastrous knee injury near the end of last season opened the door for self-doubt.

But the blueliner – acquired Wednesday from the Golden Knights in a package for Noah Hanifin – soon realized there was only one path forward.

“Your mental approach, your mental health, is one of the most important skills that you can cultivate – and it's also a perishable skill if you don't work at it,” Miromanov said. “So, I did.

“Things like grit, confidence, self-belief, self-esteem, determination, perseverance. It's really hard to look at those things when you get told you're going to be out for nine months or even longer. And I feel like my philosophy, my life philosophy, changed a lot because of that.

“My philosophy, now, is that I've got to win the day.

“Just look at it and say, 'OK, what can I do today to get better, to help my knee, and to not only get through it – but to win the day?'

“You win enough days, you win the week. You win enough weeks, you win the month. You win enough months, you win the year. So, that's the philosophy and the mental part of it is a huge thing for you to be able to go through every single day unbothered. You go through a lot of different phases and to continue to be laser-focused on your goal and be disciplined, that's been my approach.

“Nothing has changed since I recovered. To me, today is still Day 1. The day before was a Day 1 and tomorrow will be a Day 1. It's the same mentality and it's what got me through my recovery process.”

Miromanov, a Moscow native who’s played the bulk of his career in North America, took his recovery into his own hands.

He read books on recovering from reconstructive knee surgery – both ACL and meniscus tears, in this case – believing that knowledge was, in effect, real power.

The “acceptance” of knowing he had a long road ahead – but that he would heal – actually empowered him, providing both a recovery timeline and the end-goal to work toward.

Six weeks ago, he did, scoring six points (1G, 5A) in five games on a conditioning loan with the Henderson Silver Knights, before being recalled to the big club and skating in four games before Wednesday’s blockbuster.

And it’s here, where the new chapter begins.

“I didn't sleep that much last night, but I woke up and thought, 'Wow, I'm so well rested!' It feels wonderful. I'm so happy and excited to be a Flame,” he said. “I missed a lot of time these last two years with injuries and everything, and I'm so grateful to the Flames management and all the scouts for seeing what I can do the potential I have.

“I've got some size, I've got the shot, I feel like I can move pretty well. I've been working a lot on my defensive game the past few years with Vegas and Henderson, and I feel like I've got that part really dialled in now, too. 

“I think I can contribute to this team right away and I’m really excited to have that chance.”

The 26-year-old has what Flames GM Craig Conroy as "dominant" offensive results at the AHL level, accruing 68 points (21G, 46A) 95 career outings.

The right-shot threat never could grab a full-time spot on a stacked, championship blueline in Vegas, but was a fixture in running the team's powerplay when Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo were injured in the past. 

Miromanov, who actually spent many years as a forward, has what former Moncton pal Jakob Pelletier describes as a “wicked” shot that cracked 96.09mph in game action last year, according to NHL EDGE.

And that, like everything else in the rearguard’s game, developed through hard work and dedication to the craft.

“When I was a kid, my granddad built me a net and I would shoot 400, 500 pucks a day, every day, in the backyard,” he said. “I tried my best when I was a kid to master it and when I started growing up, I started growing, getting a little bit stronger, and that's where the strength and the power comes. 

“That's how it all came to fruition.

“I've still got that net, too. It's back home in Russia. It's made out of old pipes that he painted red like a real net. He put the actual netting on it, zip-tied it all to the posts. It's amazing.

“I feel like that's the Canadian way. You always see kids growing up with nets in the backyard and that's how you become someone.”

Now, the 6-foot-4, 207-lb. Miromanov is driven to become “someone” with the Flames. 

“I feel like my potential is limitless,” he said. “I know that one day I'll be competing to be the best defenceman in the league. I promise you that. I know what I can do, I know my potential and I'm so happy to get a real opportunity to be able to play. 

“I'm really grateful.”