“When you have Jarome saying some good things about you, I’m pretty pumped for sure,” Laing said
Hunter Laing’s eyes bulge when a reporter brings this up, an indication that he’s still in pinch-me mode after hearing that a Hockey Hall-of-Famer believes he has a bright future.
As Button put it, “Jarome was sort of the finisher there,” an appropriate description for the greatest goal-scorer in franchise history.
“When you have Jarome saying some good things about you, I’m pretty pumped for sure,” Laing said during his first development camp in Calgary. “I mean, he’s a legend, right? That’s all you need to say about Jarome.
“Maybe I’ve gotta thank him later.”
If Laing turns out to be a future factor, and be patient because this is more a power-forward project than a polished prospect, there will be a lot of folks thankful for Iginla’s input.
The 18-year-old Laing notched 11 goals and 25 points this past season as a rookie with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
The Flames’ western-based scouts had filed positive reports on this hard-to-miss right-winger, already listed at 6 foot 6 and 205 pounds. On the draft floor in Las Vegas, as Calgary’s contingent discussed their list of potential targets at No. 170 overall, Iggy piped up.
“Jarome has been watching him over time and he sees a big man who has gotten better consistently,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy, who hired his longtime linemate and close pal last summer as a special adviser. “So he was pretty excited when we were able to get him. Really, Jarome had a big say in that pick.”
Added Button: “Our western guys liked him at that spot and then Jarome, he finished it. It’s just another validation from someone who knows the family, knows the kid.”
Indeed, there’s a connection here.
Like Tij, Hunter is now shooting to become a second-generation NHLer. His father, Quintin, totalled 79 appearances in ‘The Show,’ the bulk of those with the Washington Capitals. He also skated for the Flames’ farm team in Abbotsford, B.C., even wearing the ‘C’ as captain.
Hockey runs in the Laing family
When Hunter arrived for development camp, he was thrilled to be assigned No. 53, the same digits that his dad donned in D.C. (During Saturday’s Snowy Cup scrimmage, after he made a gorgeous saucer pass to fellow forward Aydar Suniev, fans were likely checking the roster, asking ‘Whoa, who was that?!?’)
“Ever since I grew up, I was around hockey, with my dad being with Washington, being around (Alex) Ovechkin, (Nicklas) Backstrom, all those guys,” Laing said. “And just seeing him, how he worked back in the day, it really gave me motivation to do what he did.”
For the Flames, that’s part of the appeal.
“Hunter is really smart. You can see the hockey sense right away,” Button said. ”And the bloodlines are important because he has been around hockey. So the training part, it’s ingrained in him. He knows what he has to do.
“He’s going to take a little more time. He’s a big kid, and he’s still growing into his body. But the brain and the work ethic and the commitment … I talked to (Cougars coaches) Mark Lamb and Jimmy Playfair, and he’s in good hands there with them. Jimmy sent me a text and he said, ‘This kid, he’s going to play, but you have to be patient with him.’ Because he has to go through all those growing pains.”
Hunter was hanging out on draft day at a family farm in Quintin’s hometown of Harris, Sask., surrounded by 20 to 25 of his relatives. It was a special scene when the Flames called his name with their first of a pair of sixth-round swings.
“My uncle started screaming and there were tears everywhere,” Laing beamed. “I didn’t have many words. Just gave a lot of hugs out and thanked them for everything.”
A few days later, he was shaking hands as one of the new faces at Flames’ summer prospect camp.
It’s an eye-opener of an experience for any first-timers, with a jam-packed itinerary that included fitness testing and workouts, media training, guest speakers and a golf outing in Kananaskis Country. Plus, of course, the opportunity to showcase your skillset and competitiveness during the on-ice sessions.
The up-and-comers depart with detailed development plans, a road map of sorts as they continue their climb toward the highest level.
“Definitely need to get stronger, get faster,” said Laing, envisioning a future as a reliable two-way forward for the Flames.“Especially seeing these guys in the gym and how much they can lift, I have to get there. And I think I will.”
Iginla apparently wants to help with that, too.
“He said he’s going to take him in the garage and wrestle with him, train with him,” Button joked at the draft. “And if he can handle that, he’s going to be a player one day.”
“Living in Kelowna, Jarome is going to get him to start coming to the house to work out, which is another great thing,” Conroy echoed. “If Jarome knows you and is invested and really was pushing for him … For me, that’s pretty cool.”
ICE CHIPS: A pair of prospects who clearly left a positive impression at Flames’ development camp — centre Sam Morton earned the fitness award, while blue-liner Hunter Brzustewicz was singled out by support staff for the leadership award.