The Flames hope to put Sam Honzek's injury woes behind him

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Sam Honzek is hoping to end this disappointing season on a positive note.

So that there is no one else like him in the future.

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After being selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, many expected Honzek to be a dominant force in his final junior campaign.

The problem is that the 19-year-old forward has struggled to stay healthy, limited to just 38 outings with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, including five spring meets, and has played at full strength in one group of them.

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He arrived in Calgary earlier this week for a tryout with the AHL Wranglers, but his professional debut was delayed by an upper body ailment, a holdover from the WHL playoffs.

“Hopefully I'll get over these injuries so I can have a normal injury-free career in my future,” Honzek told Postmedia. “Hopefully it's out of my hands now. Better than later.”

The brass at the Saddledome hope so, too.

Honzek is a big part of the long-term plan, but there should be concern that this run of rough luck could hinder his development. You don't get that kind of experience hanging out in the locker room, though, as Honzek enjoyed some bonus time around the Flames after suffering an abdominal injury in an early October exhibition against the Oilers. in Edmonton. He did not return to Vancouver until late November.

Honzek: “It's been a really up-and-down season.”

“It's been a tough season,” said Gonzek, who was just shy of a point per game while posting 12 goals and 21 assists for the Giants. “I started with an injury, then I played five games, then I went to the world juniors, so I wasn't in the team for two weeks and then I left. Then I came back and I came back for the first game and I was injured again, but I was injured enough to play. So nothing bad, but it still affects your mind.

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“It's been a really up-and-down season. I would say that I was not happy with my performance in some games. But this is hockey, I have to work on it. Especially this coming summer, I really need to dial it in.”

Before starting his summer training regimen, Honzek aims to help the Wranglers make a push for the Calder Cup.

It's a good sign he's proud of his work in the WHL playoffs, even though the Giants managed just one win in the first round of seven against the Everett Silvertips.

Honzek, currently listed at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds.scored several goals in that series.

“In the playoffs, I've done a good job or I'd say better than I did in the regular season,” he said. “So I was happy with that. And now, it's just the next step where I have to be consistent and if I play, I have to give my best every practice and every game.

“It's tough to lose in the first round, especially when our team is really good, really good skill. But on the other hand, I was looking forward to coming here and being around these guys. Because this is the next level I want to play. It's definitely where I want to be and where I want to move on.”

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Honzek took part in an extra morning skate with the Wranglers on Friday, but ended up watching two other 2023 NHL draft picks — center Jaden Lipinski, who spent the winter with the Giants, and defenseman Etienne Morin — make their AHL debuts.

Calgary's most recent first-rounder hopes to be cleared for a double dip in Abbotsford next weekend. It's the final days of the regular season for the Flames farm club. They have already received an invite to the playoffs.

“I just want to get healthy and finally get my spot,” Honzek said.

The skilled Slovak has not lost faith that he will be a factor for the Flames sooner rather than later. His goal is to earn an NHL job in the fall. Plan B is to at least prove that you are ready to make the transition to the professional game.

“I believe in myself and I want to push myself and fight for the Flames this summer,” Honzek said. “If it's not good, I really want to make Wranglers.

“I just want to focus here and stay here next year. So I'm going to do everything I can for that.”

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