We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic, as described in our Privacy Policy.
MAAAMHL: Ex-Brandon Wheat King Michael Ferland Make Long Awaited NHL Debut*
- Submitted by

For the Calgary Flames facing the Nashville Predators tonight, one of the biggest challenges heading in was their lineup.

After four forwards hit the injured reserve earlier this week, that has meant a little juggling and some creative work done by Bob Hartley and their coaching staff. Gone for the foreseeable future are centres Mikael Backlund (abdominal strain) and Matt Stajan (knee) as well as Joe Colborne (wrist) and Mason Raymond (shoulder).

Which means Paul Byron and Lance Bouma are moved to centre while Markus Granlund and Michael Ferland are slotted into the lineup.

Granlund had a seven game stint with the Flames last season.

But Ferland’s NHL debut has been a long time coming — and probably one of the best feel-good stories for the Flames in recent memory.

“I know how much (tonight) means to Michael,” Hartley said after Friday’s morning skate. “I’ve spent lots of time with Michael in the past few years, even though he hasn’t played a game. I had a sit-down with him and Gino Odjick (who used to play for Hartley’s Hawkesbury Hawks) in Abbotsford two years ago. I wanted Gino to help Ferly in many aspects of his game and of his life.

“It didn’t always go as planned.”

The 22-year-old winger’s path hasn’t been easy. From age eight to 15, he played house league hockey. Raised by single mom Dianne who worked as a dietary aide in a nursing home at the time, he received help from charitable organizations such as KidSport and the Manitoba Metis Foundation. Ferland was able to play.

At 15, he caught the eye of the midget AAA Brandon Wheat Kings. He tried out and made the team. With the family bank account a little short, other parents chipped in to help pay the enrolment fees.

He made the WHL’s Wheat Kings at age 17 and, despite his inexperience in competitive hockey, he was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2010 NHL draft.

Ferland continued to hit speed bumps.

With a year of junior eligibility, he started the 2012-13 season with the Abbotsford Heat. He was demoted to the Utah Grizzlies of the East Coast Hockey League. Back to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Then, he was traded to the Saskatoon Blades.

At 235-pounds and his professional hockey career on the rocks, Ferland had a choice.

Making an impressive turnaround, he showed up at last year’s camp 24 pounds lighter. He dominated the Young Stars Tournament. And, after six goals and 12 assists in 25 games after 25 games with the Heat, Ferland was the next guy on the list to get a call from the Calgary Flames before blowing out his knee — a freak accident at practice cost him the rest of the season.

“Minutes away from being called up and he was injured,” Hartley said. “But he persevered. He spent the summer in Calgary working out and getting ready.

“This young man lost over 20 pounds. He has muscle. He has confidence. So, you know, I’m very proud. Mom’s going to be at the game and it’s going to be a good night.”

No kidding.

Ferland deserves it, especially after four goals and five assists and a team-leading plus-six for the Adirondack Heat this season.

“I was actually out fishing on the kayak in Glens Falls,” said Ferland, referring to receiving the Flames’ call on Thursday. “I had missed, like, 10 calls probably. I looked down at my phone and saw everyone was trying to get a hold of me. I called Brad (Treliving) and he told me the news. I went home, packed up, and got here as quick as I could.”

No bites, though, he reported.

Here is the Flames lineup tonight:

Forwards

Michael Ferland-Markus Granlund-Jiri Hudler

Curtis Glencross-Sean Monahan-David Jones

Johnny Gaudreau-Paul Byron-Devin Setoguchi

Brandon Bollig-Lance Bouma-Brian McGrattan

Josh Jooris

Defence

Mark Giordano-TJ Brodie

Kris Russell-Dennis Wideman

Ladislav Smid-Deryk Engelland

Raphael Diaz

Goalies

Jonas Hiller

Karri Ramo


Recent Headlines
(4/9/2018) Humboldt Broncos: Fans Pay Tribute To Crash Victims With Moving Tribute
(1/26/2018) SMAAAHL: Mintos' Long Undefeated Streak Ends On Thursday Vs Trojans*
(1/9/2018) HEO: The Cornwall Connection*
(1/8/2018) NBPEIMML: Flyers End Wild Winning Streak*
(1/8/2018) SMAAAHL: WHL Blazers Trade For Tisdale's Kalen Ukrainetz*
(12/18/2017) SMAAAHL: Hockey Day In Saskatchewan Set For Balcarres*
(12/13/2017) SMAAAHL: Pat Candians Dureau Recalled By WHL Portland Winterhawks*
(12/11/2017) BCMML: Goal-Scoring Record Is Within Reach For Valley West Hawks*
(12/8/2017) SMAAAHL: Contacts Alum Kole Lind Named To World Junior Selection Camp*
(12/7/2017) GNML: Sudbury, Nickel City Vote To Form Single AAA Association*
Go To Archives
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
MORE VIDEOS »
NATIONAL TEAM AND PLAYERS OF THE MONTH


NATIONAL COMMUNITY SPONSOR PARTNERS - Check them out!






MORE NEWS
April 9, 2018
Humboldt Broncos: Fans Pay Tribute To Crash Victims With Moving Tribute
January 26, 2018
SMAAAHL: Mintos' Long Undefeated Streak Ends On Thursday Vs Trojans*
January 9, 2018
HEO: The Cornwall Connection*
January 8, 2018
NBPEIMML: Flyers End Wild Winning Streak*
January 8, 2018
SMAAAHL: WHL Blazers Trade For Tisdale's Kalen Ukrainetz*
FEATURES

NHL Sr. Vice President Jim Gregory
MidgetAAACanada.com Supporter and Friend
@ 2008 MidgetAAACanada.com Cup


FEATURED TOURNAMENTS



 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
COOL STUFF



 


 


PROUD SPONSORS




 




 



© 2024, MIDGET AAA CANADA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Design, Hosting, Online Registration & Administration Tools By:

esportsdesk.com

Admin Login