35 year old Quebec native Steve Begin signed a one year deal with the Abbotsford Heat, Calgary’s affiliate AHL team, just a few weeks ago. He has also just received a non-roster invite to the Flames training camp.
Begin made his way onto the Flames roster last year after being extended an invite to training camp by coach Bob Hartley. He impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a full time roster spot and was very excited for his chance to play for the Flames.
It's great to put this jersey on. I worked hard this past year. Sometimes, I was twice a day in the gym. I skated five to six times a week. I wanted to be ready. I didn’t want to miss my chance. I knew this would be the last call for me, the last chance I would get. And I made it, so it pays off at the end." – Calgary Herald
It appears that the same situation is being provided to Begin this year, as the forward once again was invited to the Flames training camp hoping to make a claim as to why he should be given another shot with the rebuilding squad. As we’ve discussed time and time again, the Flames are amidst a rebuild and are looking to bring in younger players – so why Begin?
If I’ve maintained anything throughout many of my blogs thus far, it’s the importance of having the right veterans on your squad while rebuilding. Heck, even during my brief interview with Jay Feaster about a week or two ago he said the exact same thing.
The Flames are rebuilding, there is no denying it. The Flames are looking to keep the team young and move any pieces that do not fit their future plans; there is also no denying that. But what most fans miss is the importance of hard working, professional guys like Steve Begin to the young up-and-comers.
"Players with the commitment of Steve Begin, I really believe that there’s not enough (of them) in the NHL. I always admired the way that he played. I look at the spirit, the leadership. Pretty amazing what he’s done for us." Bob Hartley – Calgary Herald
Begin’s hard work last year certainly did not go unnoticed, and despite being somewhat invisible on the scoresheet throughout the 2013 season, it was his leadership skills and work ethic which has the team vying for his potential return. In fact, Steve was the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which goes to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Sounds like qualities which could be rather important to a rebuilding team to me.
Hartley expressed in an interview(shown below) that this year’s team will be tough to play against and will display a very strong work ethic. Hartley goes on further to say that this team may surprise a few faces as this will be the first full training camp for the coach since taking over last year.
Having a guy like Begin on such a team does not go against the notion of wanting to keep a young squad. Furthermore, it does not impede any of the players from developing by taking away ice time as Begin would be used as a defensive forward with limited minutes. He is just the kind of guy you want around as at 35 years of age and 524 NHL games under his belt, he’s still as excited to play hockey as would be a rookie.
@begs22 – Finalement j’ai eu mon invitation a Calgary, jsuis tellement content :)) / Finally I got my invite to Calgary’s training camp! So happy!
Whether the coach has a soft spot for the French speaking forward and invites him back for another year with the Flames or not is left to be seen. Begin doesn’t exactly have a ton of vets to compete with, however the mindset right now is to let the kids play, so the decision will likely be placed on his leadership qualities.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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