Just days after winning a silver medal at the World Juniors with Team Canada, Kamloops Blazers forward Connor Zary is taking part in his first Calgary Flames training camp.
The Saskatoon, Sask. native is one of eight players with ties to the Blazers on NHL training camp rosters ahead of a 56-game regular season that gets underway on Jan. 13.
“Thank you Blazer fans for the endless support through it all,” he said after the World Juniors held in a bubble in Edmonton. “I know it’s not the result we wanted but we felt you cheering us on the whole way.”
The other seven players on training camp rosters are all Blazers’ alumni – Gage Quinney (Las Vegas), Joel Edmundson (Montreal), Connor Ingram (Nashville), Rudolfs Balcers (Ottawa), Devan Dubnyk (San Jose), Garrett Pilon (Washington), and Cole Kehler (Winnipeg).
After being drafted in the first round, 24th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary signed his entry level contract with the Flames on Dec. 31. He put up two points (both assists) in seven games at the World Juniors.
Zary had a breakout 2019-20 with 38 goals, 48 assists and 86 points in 57 games before the season was suspended due to COVID-19. He was also named to the WHL’s Western Conference First All-Star team.
Blazers’s goaltender Dylan Garand who was also part of Team Canada at the World Juniors played just one period against Germany in Canada’s opening game on Boxing Day. In 20 minutes of action he made five saves and allowed on goal for a save percentage of .833 and a goals against average of 3.00.
“Thanks for the support Blazer fans, both Connor and I really appreciate it and we look forward to hopefully seeing you guys soon,” he said.
“Thank you Blazer fans for the endless support through it all. I know it’s not the result we wanted but we felt you cheering us on the whole way!” – @ConnorZary pic.twitter.com/RGS5cOe6VX
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 6, 2021
“Thanks for the support Blazer fans, both Connor and I really appreciate it and we look forward to hopefully seeing you guys soon.” – @DylanGarand pic.twitter.com/ZS7G0yem1E
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 6, 2021
