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Johnny Gaudreau Playing Big - Wants to Join Flames

July 16, 2013, 12:35 PM ET [148 Comments]
Colin Dambrauskas
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter!: @ColinDJD

As the Calgary Flames development camp continues, there have been a few prospects who are certainly standing out and catching the attention of their coaches, GM, and fans. Although a few names have really stood out for me during the camp, Johnny Gaudreau is a top my list of prospects who are further in their development.

Despite being one of the smaller players in training camp (something he will hear a lot of throughout his career), Gaudreau has such raw talent that he doesn’t stand out as being much smaller than other players with the way he handles himself on the ice. With Johnny’s speed and puck handling abilities, there are not too many scenarios where his size restricts him from making or finishing a play. He has the ability to make room for himself and often squeezes around defensive opponents who have a hard time matching his foot speed.

While his game certainly shines at a development camp level, Gaudreau still fears being unready for the NHL and has committed to returning to the college level for one extra season. The good news here is that Gaudreau understands his shortcomings and does not want to move to the pro level and potentially become a liability.

Last time we saw Johnny, he stood at about 5’7 and 145lbs and is now standing at 5’8 and 158lbs. Although not a large increase in size, at 5’8, ten pounds is a lot of muscle. Gaudreau says he is hoping to return to college and put on another ten pounds and would like to be in the high 160’s if he’s able. Given that he is still only 19 years old, there is still plenty of room for growth on the young forward's frame.

In a recent interview, Gaudreau let the hockey world know that his intentions are to go back to college for one more year, continue to work on his game, add some size to his frame, and hopefully join the Calgary Flames toward the end of the NHL season once his college season ends, if they'll have him.

“Hopefully they want me next year at the end of the year and hopefully I can come in and make an impact for them. If I play well this year and put on the right weight, I think I might be able to do it.”

“I just want to make sure that when I come in, or if I come in, I’m ready to go. I don’t want to be one of the weak links out there. I want to make sure that I’m not a concern out on the ice. I want to make sure that I’m valuable on the ice and not just one of those players that uh, oh, he’s on the ice, we’ve got to watch out.”


In addition to Gaudreau being pleasant to watch on the ice, recently drafted Monahan was showing his potential, too! Sean moved the puck very well on the ice and displayed a very strong and fast skating game. In spite of being one of the players many were focused on, Monahan kept his game simple and moved the puck very smartly displaying an unselfish game.

It has been a while since the Flames have had a prospect camp like this filled with the talent we’ve witnessed over the last few days. With several players competing for roles and trying to win the respect of their coaches, the Flames have truly restocked their cupboards in recent years. Former draft selections like Grandlund and Culkin have been putting on quite the show in addition to guys like Elson and Kanzig who are also trying to make an impression.

The level of competition and skill throughout the camp is something that has been absent in recent years for Calgary, and it’s a very big positive for this young club as they move along their rebuild. Like Gaudreau, the key for this club will be to remain patient with their prospects and join the roster when they are ready both mentally and physically for the jump to pro. Rushing a player can ruin their career and the Flames should be in no hurry.

That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading!
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