Honzek has Flames thrilled about initial returns

CALGARY --Samuel Honzek has yet to play an NHL game, but the Calgary Flames forward prospect is already quite familiar with the Stanley Cup experience.

The 18-year-old, selected with the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has photos with the Cup from celebrations in his hometown of Trencin, Slovakia, following championships won by Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopeck with the Chicago Blackhawks (2010) and Zdeno Chara with the Boston Bruins (2011).

Honzek, who admitted he never touched the Cup out of superstition, feels closer than ever to adding a fourth photo.

"Legends," Honzek said. "It was good. The dream was really close. It wasn't just me standing next to them, people taking pictures with me, but I think it'll happen really soon. You just need to go for it."

Honzek, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flames on Wednesday, still has a way to go to contribute to such a run, but Calgary is excited about the initial returns.

"There's a lot to like," general manager Craig Conroy said. "The skating, the size (6-foot-4, 186 pounds), the skill, the way he protects the puck, makes plays.

"It's still about getting stronger. He's actually more explosive than I thought skating. I think as he gets stronger it's going to get even that much better."

Honzek understands there's plenty ahead of him before he'll work himself into a position to help win the Cup.

"I think my hockey sense, my protecting the puck, my skating, is really good but still I want to develop it up it one more level," Honzek said. "I think my shot is really good. I think we can build on it and they will help me, and I will do everything in my power I can to fill the expectation."

Honzek received assistance from Flames legend Jarome Iginla when the two met at development camp earlier this month. Iginla, named a special adviser to Conroy on June 15, is a Hockey Hall of Fame forward who played the first 16 of his 20 NHL seasons in Calgary and had 1,300 points (625 goals, 675 assists) in 1,554 games for the Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. His 1,219 games, 525 goals and 1,095 points each rank first in Calgary/Atlanta Flames history.

"He was talking to me about my shot," Honzek said. "There are things I can work on, quicker release and dropping the shoulder and faking the shot. He says I have a really good shot, but I can use it definitely more when I cut at the top of the circles and closer to the net. Definitely I can shoot more. It was really good, he told me that and we'll work on it.

"That means a really big thing. I trust him in what he tells me."

It'll be another dimension for Honzek, one that long term could help him inch closer to his hockey dream. Short term, he's working to stay on the right path upon his return to Calgary for his first training camp after he had 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games with Vancouver of the Western Hockey League last season.

"I think it's a lot of pressure and attention but for me it's about staying focused and staying humble and do the right things and don't go off my road I am right now," Honzek said. "Stay focused, do the right things, and focus. I want to come to main camp and rookie camp as a really prepared player."