"It's nice to be here and nice to get rewarded after 13 games - I'm really happy," he said from the Scotiabank Saddledome. "I'll be here working my butt off and if I get the chance, I'll hop in and do my best.
"I'm ready for it."
The big man got a taste of the show last season, skating in three games from May 16 -19, and collected his first career NHL point - an assist - on the 18th in Vancouver.
"It was nice to get rewarded last season, to get the chance to get to know the coach, the system and a feel for the league as well," Ruzicka said. "It was different because it was Vancouver for all three games so I didn't get a taste for other teams but it was still a good time.
"Having fans makes it a lot different; it felt like exhibition last year to be honest, so having them back and the noise this year makes a big difference."
Down in Stockton, the Heat are off to a strong start, just like the big club. They've gone 10-1-2 out of the gate and are led by Ruzicka's 16 points, as his line - alongside Jakob Pelletier and Matthew Phillips - continues to provide a lot firepower.
"We play really well together," Ruzicka said. "The whole team is doing well and we do the right thing every night to be consistent.
"When you show up to the rink with the good vibes, smiles on faces and the coaches are smiling as well because we are winning and doing well. You go to the rink with a positive attitude and every practice mattered for us. We try to do the same thing as here because the group is doing well here also so we try and match that.
"The winning definitely helps the attitude and the whole aspect of going to the rink."
Ruzicka is focused on making the most of his time here in Calgary to continue his development.
"(In the off-season) I worked on my skating and more mental preparation for being consistent on a day-to-day basis so that when I feel tired I try to push myself harder," he said. "I just want to be consistent with my play and work hard in defensive zone coverage and especially on the forecheck.
"I know what Darryl expects from each player and from me as well, so I've been trying to do that."
