Flames prospect Lucas Ciona is learning a lot from his friend Matt Rempe

Content of the article

Calgary Flames player Lucas Ciona believes he has a lot to learn from his old friend and teammate Matt Rempe.

The two played together in juniors at various stops: with the Spruce Grove Saints in the AJHL and then with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL.

Content of the article

Of course, they are completely different players.

When Siona looks at the big New York Rangers forward, it's not like he thinks Rempe should try to replicate the hard-hitting, drop-the-glove style he brings to the ice.

Content of the article

But there are lessons he learned from his Rempe trip.

“It takes over your personality,” the Calgary Wranglers forward explained. “That's the most important thing in the transition to professional hockey. You have to know your identity and you have to come in and use your identity to your advantage.

“I mean, his personality for him is that he's going to be big and tough and he's going to back anybody up and always stand up for himself and push his team forward. So 100%, everyone gets something out of it. The most skilled guy on the ice will get something from him. You have to find your identity and use it to your advantage.”

Siona and Rempe first played briefly in the AJHL in 2018-19 with the Saints, then spent the following seasons with the Thunderbirds interrupted by COVID.

They are good friends and Ciona says they have plans to get together this summer after their professional seasons are over.

It could be a while for Rempe, whose Rangers entered Saturday morning with the most points in the NHL and are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.

The 21-year-old Calgarian has become a folk hero in New York, whose star power seems to have transcended traditional hockey bubbles. He was the catalyst for the Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils brawl a few weeks ago that got millions of views on YouTube. His old-school willingness to fight anywhere, everywhere is a throwback to the old days.

Content of the article

Content of the article

And this is not surprising for Ciona.

“This guy works, I remember coming to the rink early and he was on a punching bag or boxing with one of our trainers,” Siona said. “He's got a great work ethic and he's getting better every day, it's no wonder he's doing that.

“It's great, he's a good friend of mine, we've played together a lot. A very good friend and he worked, he worked very hard to get where he is. For him to do it and be successful, it's not the everyday path of others. He does it in a different fashion, but it's great to watch.”

Ciona is still finding his way as a pro and has had a few stops in his first year. This is certainly true of many hockey players who have had great careers. Just like when guys make the jump to the NHL, there is a learning curve from junior to the AHL.

In 55 games this season, Siona has four goals and two assists.

He wants more and is willing to take the necessary challenges to achieve it.

“It was tough, that's for sure,” Siona said. “There's been a lot of highs and lows and it's just getting better every day and working to get better and better at work.

Content of the article

“I knew going in and I had to work for it. It's not surprising and I haven't been surprised by it all year, but it's getting better every day. All you can do is have a positive attitude about it and show up and work.”

One day, Siona will help follow in Rempe's footsteps and establish himself as an everyday NHL player.

He saw the work Rempe had done to get there and was determined to do the same.

He will not drop the gloves with the toughest fighters in the NHL. At least that's not the plan.

But was this always Rempe's game? Siona knows better than most.

“Yeah, but he's 9-foot, 260 (Ib.) Nobody wants to touch him when you're in the WHL,” said Siona, 2-foot-2, 220 pounds. “It's a couple when he goes through a couple of guys or the keeper. He's always been that guy, but not everything goes for him. Now he has the freedom to do whatever he wants.”

[email protected]

www.twitter.com/DannyAustin_9

Content of the article