The city of Calgary is buzzing as the Stampede gets into full swing amid a scorching, sunny, early July heat wave.
Locals and visitors alike are dressing in full cowboy/cowgirl garb as the annual festivities unique to the southern Alberta metropolis take over the area for two weeks.
That time of year also marks the annual Calgary Flames development camp. Drafted prospects and unsigned players on the Flames’ radar take part in two days of training and cap it off with the Snowy Cup – a scrimmage showcasing the talent of all invited.
With that said, let’s break down who impressed and who could have had better camps.
Top Five Bright Spots at the 2024 Flames Development Camp
#5. Jacob Battaglia
Jacob’s last name translates in Italian to “battle,” and it appears his namesake is accurate. The six-foot-one, 200-pound winger does his best work within six feet of an opposing player. Whether it’s a quick move to gain possession, a well-timed pass in tight to the opposition, or one of his calling card shot deflections, the Mississauga, Ontario product brought a unique brand of offence to the Snowy Cup.
#4. Zayne Parekh
The fluent yet awkwardly upward skating style of Calgary’s ninth overall selection at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft was in full force out at the Winsport Event Center. Parekh opened the score at the Snowy Cup with a stroll into the middle-slot before lasering a snap shot over goaltender Callum Tung’s blocker.
Parekh followed that up with a number of creative offensive plays. His calm approach to breaking the puck out was also noticeable.
#3. Sam Morton
Morton started camp out by taking top honours in fitness testing among the 38 camp participants.
Being an NCAA graduate and one of the older players at camp, Sam Morton had to make his presence known last week in order to keep himself in the conversation when it came to being considered a dark horse candidate for a call up next season.
Mission accomplished.
Morton’s acute sense of timing led to a partial break in the first half off of a blueline turnover. A lightning-quick snap shot past the glove of goaltender Connor Murphy and the game was tied at two apiece.
Morton kept it going in the second half with a timely takeaway, which led to a seeing-eye setup for Sam Honzek, who had an isolated opportunity out front and a goal.
#2. William Stromgren
The 45th overall selection in 2021 continued building on a strong playoff performance with a physically dominant showing in development camp. List of Canadian bookmakers on MightyTips Stromgren was easily the hardest forward to contain off the rush and combined that brute force with some sublimely executed plays on a line with the number one bright spot of Calgary’s 2024 development camp.
#1. Luke Misa
Taken in the fifth round at this year’s draft, Misa looked like a hot commodity throughout camp. Whether it was his near-perfectly efficient in-tight moves to fetch the puck in battle drills, his dynamic playmaking ability in high danger areas in front of the net, or his tenacious forechecking; Luke Misa is an early candidate for steal of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The Oakville, Ontario product finished the Snowy Cup with three goals and an assist.
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