Picked within the sixth spherical, 173rd total of the 2021 NHL Draft, Ciona has not-so-quietly begun trying like he might need been a steal for the Flames
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Lucas Ciona has been on an unbelievable journey in 2023.
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It’s been a 12 months to recollect for the Calgary Flames prospect, that’s for positive.
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Already, he captained the Seattle Thunderbirds to the WHL championship within the spring and earned the chance to play for the Memorial Cup.
Then, he relocated to Calgary this summer season and started coaching to start his skilled journey.
That began this weekend, as Ciona took the ice with the Flames’ prospects on the Younger Stars Traditional in Penticton, B.C.
He made his mark there, too.
“Yeah, it’s been lots,” Ciona stated with amusing final week. “It’s been enjoyable. You win the (WHL championship), go to the Mem Cup after which have a fast summer season and also you’re right here.
“It’s been plenty of enjoyable. I’m simply trying ahead to much more from 2023.”
Picked within the sixth spherical, 173rd total of the 2021 NHL Draft, Ciona has not-so-quietly begun trying like he might need been a steal for the Flames.
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At 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 220 lbs., he’s positively obtained the construct of knowledgeable hockey participant, and he stepped up his manufacturing in a significant manner final season with the Thunderbirds. In 63 video games, Ciona potted 28 targets and added 47 assists throughout an everyday season that noticed his crew steamroll most of their WHL competitors.
That doesn’t assure something within the professionals, although, and that’s one thing Ciona is all too conscious of.
It’s why he relocated to Calgary early to skate with different Flames and Wranglers gamers.
“The one manner you will get higher is for those who maintain working, simply put your head down and maintain going,” Ciona stated. “It was a superb summer season coaching in Calgary right here, I spent most of it right here, working and coaching with the fellows right here, so it was plenty of enjoyable. To get higher, you simply must type of notice you’re not already the perfect and maintain striving to get to the perfect. You’re by no means going to be there for those who don’t work.
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“It’s nearly placing the work in, maintain your head down and go to work.”
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Whereas it solely presents a small pattern dimension, Ciona positively seemed like he belonged on the Younger Stars Traditional.
In Friday night time’s recreation towards the Vancouver Canucks’ prospects, Ciona scored the Flames’ solely aim. It wasn’t the prettiest tally you’ll ever see, however Ciona was nonetheless driving laborious to the online when an Adam Klapka shot deflected off his physique and into the again of the online. He was in the correct place on the proper time, although, and that issues.
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Ciona additionally dropped the gloves for a scrap with the Canucks’ Quinn Schmiemann, displaying that he’s completely satisfied to get entangled within the bodily aspect of the sport, too.
The 20-year-old was concerned on each ends of the ice within the Flames’ 4-3 additional time win over the Edmonton Oilers prospects on Saturday night time and their 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets’ younger weapons on Monday morning, too.
All in all, the event appeared to be an encouraging begin to Ciona’s professional journey.
That journey will take him to the AHL this 12 months and a gig with the Calgary Wranglers.
With the best way Ciona’s 2023 has gone, you possibly can guess the Wranglers are going to be completely satisfied to have him.
FINISHING STRONG
William Stromgren made his mark on the Younger Stars Traditional event on Monday morning, potting two targets because the Flames completed off their three-game set in Penticton with a 4-2 win.
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Stromgren opened the scoring within the first interval after which completed the job with an empty-netter within the dying minutes of the third, whereas Klapka and Jaden Lipinski added targets of their very own for the Flames.
Contemplating that the Flames began the event with a 7-1 loss by the hands of the Canucks, it was definitely encouraging to see the crew bounce again with wins over the Oilers and Jets.
The group will now head again to Calgary, the place they’ll be joined by the veterans for the beginning of coaching camp. Health testing goes Wednesday, with on-ice classes getting underway on Thursday.
daustin@postmedia.com
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