FAMILY MATTERS

Tonight, Jonathan won't be the only Huberdeau introducing himself to Flames fans.
His sister, 22-year-old Josiane, will be on hand, and will sing the Star-Spangled Banner as part of the opening-night ceremonies. However, it turns, the vocal talents do not run in the family.
"I love to sing," Jonathan said, "but just in the shower."
Relatable.
So, too, is his choice of melody - although it may not be as popular among his teammates, who seem to be a classic oldies or hip-hop kick:
"The Backstreet Boys," Huberdeau replied. "'I Want It That Way.'"
Oh, if only Flames fans could bear witness to that!
Nevertheless, it's sure to be a spectacle tonight, with 19,289 souls crammed inside the Scotiabank Saddledome for the start of the highly anticipated 2022-23 season.

And the anthems are sure to get the night off on the right foot.
"She started (singing) when I was in junior," Huberdeau said. "She was probably 14 at the time - maybe a little bit younger - and from then on in Florida, she sang a lot against Montreal. A lot of family were at the game, so we thought it was cool. Now she's been asking me every year and when I got traded here, she asked if (she) could sing and I said, 'Yeah, that's a good idea.' First game, she's here. So, I asked and the Flames have been great and said yes."

Josiane will sing the American anthem shortly after the team is introduced - one by one - through a crowd of lucky season ticket holders. Then, the legendary George Canyon will take the mic and sing O Canada, honouring his friend and late Flames organist Willy Joosen in what's sure to be an electric rendition.
Joosen, who passed away over the off-season, provided the soundtrack at the 'Dome more than three decades and is deeply missed by everyone in the organization.
What better way to kick off the new season - and a new era in Flames hockey - than by celebrating those that make the CSEC family such a tight kinship.
Huberdeau will have "30 or 35" family and friends on hand tonight, too, and they wouldn't have missed it for the world.
"They got here yesterday and my dad said, 'Oh, I'm so nervous,'" Huberdeau said. "I'm not that nervous, but he's more nervous than me. He's excited. It's a new chapter for me and it's nice to have my family to come here. They come to every first game, so it's nice for them to be here."
It has, after all, been a long wait. Huberdeau, along with MacKenzie Weegar and prospect Cole Schwindt, were dealt to the Flames way back in late July. Since then, No. 10 has fielded questions about the trade, the pressure and lofty expectations both he and the team will face this season.
Now, he just gets to play.
"It's a big test right away," Huberdeau said of tonight's battle with the defending Cup champs. "They're a good team and we've got two good tests right away (with Edmonton on Saturday) and I think that's good for our team. That's what we need.
"We need adversity and we'll see how we're going to handle that."
"I've been waiting for a long time, so it's exciting to get the season going and get the first game under my belt."