'Healthy and strong'

The news, initially, came as a shock.

When Andrew Mangiapane arrived at the rink on April 14, he didn't expect anything sinister to come out of his year-end medicals.

But he also knew the shoulder pain he was dealing with required some type of intervention.

"I didn't think it was going to be anything surgical," said Mangiapane, who was in town earlier this week to continue the physio portion of his off-season rehab. "I thought maybe I needed a (PRP) injection, or something to help strengthen it. I didn't even know what was going on.

"Something was bugging me - but I didn't know why, or to what extent.

"I flew out the next day for surgery and everything else went on pause. It's been a crazy summer in that aspect, but I was happy to get it done and I'm happy to be ready.

"Fortunately, we've got a great medical team here and starting with that moment, they've been making sure I'll be coming to camp feeling good, healthy and strong."

In other words: It's the best possible news for a player - and team - seeking redemption come fall.

That Mangiapane is feeling this good, this early in the summer, speaks volumes about the care he's been given, and how hard he's worked in the gym to get back to 100%. The 'recovery' stage is well and truly behind him, and the focus from now until training camp is to build strength, while continuing to ramp up with his usual summer training program.

"There are no restrictions anymore," Mangiapane said. "I should be A-OK for the start of the season, training camp and all that."

We're still about two months away from players reporting for camp - and with a Heat Warning blanketing Calgary and much of the western prairies - the focus for many remains lakeside, instead of the frozen equivalent.

But for Mangiapane, he can already sense a buzz in the community.

"I think everyone's excited to come back," he said. "I don't think anyone's happy with how the season ended. As a team and personally, everyone has higher expectations for themselves. Coming back, everyone's going to be excited and eager to start going and prove a lot of people wrong.

"There have been a lot of changes, but it's an exciting time to be a Calgary Flame."

While visiting the 'Dome, Mangiapane had a chance to meet with GM Craig Conroy and Head Coach Ryan Huska, as both outlined their vision for the upcoming season.

In Huska, there's a long history of success, admiration and mutual respect, dating back to their two seasons together in AHL Stockton. Mangiapane commended Huska's ability to communicate, to inspire, and to establish a gameplan that complements the makeup of the team's roster.

"The thing about Husk is that he wants it for everybody," Mangiapane said. "He obviously wants the players to do well, he wants the team to do well. But he also wants it for the fans. The city.

"He's passionate about what he does and will do everything to make sure we have success."

Put it all together and you get this - a healthy Mangiapane who's ready to run through a brick wall and show last year was merely a blip for this group.

And that, personally, he's closer to the 35-goal man that took the league by storm in 2021-22.

"I'm excited to come to camp and see all the changes and have a different vibe around the dressing room," he said.

"Calgary's been my second home. It's great here. You have that Canadian feel and it's important, right? Hockey is Canada's game, so maybe there are some more expectations and some more pressure, but it's great because of the fans, the city, and how everyone rallies behind you and appreciates you for everything you've done.

"Obviously, it's important for us to do well and to win games. But the support you get from the fans, from your neighbours to the fans in the rink, they appreciate you as a person and everyone in the organization."