'HE'S A SMART PLAYER'

Good things come to those who wait.
Since being called up from the Calgary Wranglers, Jakob Pelletier has soaked up everything from being around the big club.
And now, with the Flames getting set to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow afternoon (
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) for a matinee match-up, there's a chance the former first rounder could make his NHL debut.

"You'll know tomorrow afternoon," associate coach Kirk Muller said following Friday practice at the Scotiabank Saddledome. "It's just a different look with different personal. One thing we noticed in practice is that he has good habits. A lot of times with young guys that's what they have to address before getting to the next level.
"He works hard, he practices the right way and shows at young age that he's a good pro. He prepares, he's ready to go, we talked about that when he gets the call, he's ready to play."
Pelletier skated on a line alongside Trevor Lewis and Walker Duehr during the skate, and was buzzing during the session.
"It's nice. Just to be here it's crazy," Pelletier said. "Just to be here, be with the big boys has been crazy. For me, the past 12 or 13 days has just been crazy."
"Probably nerves, I'm not sure if I'm playing right now so we'll see what happens tomorrow."

It's been quite the experience for the 21-year-old, witnessing first-hand the preparation that goes into the day-to-day grind of the NHL.
"They play once every two days, so you have to bring you're A-game," he said. "The past year and a half was about learning how to be a pro, with the 'A' team (Calgary Wranglers) it's been great. The past 12 or 13 days has been the same thing in learning to maybe get a chance to play."
If he does indeed draw in, there will no doubt be a lot of excitement and emotions but at the end of the day, the coaching staff just want him to keep it simple.
"I think the biggest thing, you gotta play well with the puck," Muller said. "Probably the biggest thing is being used to playing big minutes, sometimes when you get into a different role you really have to stay focused in the games and be prepared if you are sitting a few shifts to jump out and catch up to the pace.
"He's a smart player, he understands the game. I know he's offensive but he knows how to play without the puck, he's responsible that way and that's the key thing. Sometimes when you get to the NHL the game is easier because guys know what they are doing."