'Super excited for him'

Flames fans weren't the only ones locked into Monday's press conference.

As Ryan Huska was being announced as the club's new head coach, thousands were tuned in live as a new chapter in franchise lore had officially kicked off.

But there was another engrossed viewer tuning in from halfway around the globe.

And he, too, was budding with excitement.

"I'm so happy for him," said Rasmus Andersson from his home in Sweden. "He's put in the work and has been such a key part of my development and so many others over the years. You look at Mangi (Andrew Mangiapane), Shillly (Oliver Kylington), and even going back to (Garnet) Hathaway and (David) Rittich… it's a lot.

"I'm super excited for him to get the opportunity and really sink his teeth into it.

"And show everyone how good of a coach he really is."

The fact is, no one in the Flames organization would know better than Andersson himself.

Their relationship began in the 2016-17 season when Andersson was a rookie with the Flames' AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat. Seven years and nearly 400 NHL games later, Huska has been right there in his hip pocket, helping the blueliner emerge as one of the game's bright young stars.

And that, the Flames' workhorse reminds, is no accident.

"I think that first year, especially, was kind of hard for both of us because he needed to be on me every day and I did not like that," Andersson said. "But looking back on that right now, I wouldn't be where I am without him.

"He was on me every day to work harder and work smarter. I couldn't just show up and leave - to just do the practice and leave. I've really got to practice. I've really got to be in the gym. I've really got to take care of my body. He taught me that stuff and kept me accountable, too.

"I was so out of shape in my first year in Stockton. But after that first year, I went home and did my work and came back in better shape. I came back the second year, did my homework and then there was a different side. Our conversations changed. 'How can I be better on the ice?' We started talking about how quickly I could come up to the NHL and be a good player when I got there.

"That's the thing: He always believed that and he always believed in me.

"That first year was about getting me to that point.

"He pushed me because he saw what I was capable of."

As with all good leaders, the key is communication. That's what enabled Andersson to reach his full potential at that level, before coming up to the Flames - work with Huska some more - and evolve into an elite minute-muncher that plays in all situations.

Coaching - and, in effect, 'leadership - isn't a one-way street. A collaborative approach is the only way forward and Huska's unique ability to bring people together is an admirable quality. He wants his players to be a part of the conversation so they can work mutually to achieve goals.

But make no mistake: This isn't a carrot-or-stick, all-in-one approach.

Huska's greatest quality is that he knows when to pull.

And when to push.

"I've seen some comments on Twitter and stuff that people think he's just a nice guy," Andersson said. "Understand me right now: He can be the nice guy and he can yell when the team needs to be yelled at. He has both sides of it. I think that's so key for a coach these days to have both sides of the coin - to not just be the 'nice guy' and not just be yelling at guys all the time. He really does have both of it.

"The key is communication. When he shows you something, you understand it right away. You literally understand it the first time you see it because he explains it so well and gets you excited about it.

"Speaking from my own experience, he gives me a lot of confidence to make plays and trust my (instincts). So, when he gives you that feedback, you know it's coming from the right place."

In listening to Huska comments at Monday's announcement, nothing 'surprised' Andersson - not with the relationship, the trust, they've built over the past number of years. And when it comes to Huska's vision for this troupe and how he expects them to play next year, a couple of recurring themes definitely piqued the D man's interest.

It isn't a stretch to say he and his teammates are feeling optimistic about things, even with the season a few months away.

"If I know Husk, he wants us to not give up as many high-danger chances, be creative in the offensive zone, get a lot of movement, create chaos and hang onto pucks," Andersson said. "We want to be a good puck team because we definitely have the players to do it.

"Honestly... Connie's the new GM, Husk is the new coach. There's so many moving parts and I feel like ever since yesterday, you get that excitement back. The first few weeks of the summer, you try to let go of the season. But now you get that excitement back and especially with me knowing Husk that well, I know he's a really good coach.

"I know he'll give confidence to each and every player in that dressing room next year."