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The season forward is a giant one for Matthew Coronato.
A yr in the past, the ahead arrived at Calgary Flames coaching camp trying to make a direct impression in his first season as a professional and flashed the talent set that led to the staff deciding on him thirteenth general within the 2021 NHL Draft.
Coronato made the Flames out of camp, however discovered himself bouncing between the NHL membership and their AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, for many of the season.
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At 21 years outdated and with that have underneath the belt, he appears primed for a breakout season.
And there’s each probability that may occur, however there’s going to be a battle for taking part in time on the wing for the Flames.
With the arrival of Anthony Mantha in free company and the Flames already using Blake Coleman and Andrei Kuzmenko, the staff’s received an honest inventory of right-wingers. Coronato’s talent set isn’t significantly well-suited to a fourth-line position, so what does he should do to get within the combine?
Talking through the annual Calgary Italian Open on the Cottonwood Golf & Nation Membership south of the town, Coronato got here throughout as relaxed as ever when he was requested the query.
“I feel I simply have to concentrate on being the most effective model of myself, taking part in with confidence and trusting what I can do,” Coronato stated. “That’s actually all I can do.”
In 34 video games with the Flames final yr, Coronato managed three objectives and 6 assists whereas posting a minus-15.
His AHL numbers had been significantly extra spectacular, as he scored 15 objectives and added 27 assists in 41 video games with the Wranglers, whereas additionally being a plus-six.
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All of that was, once more, in his first season as a professional, however his performances within the AHL do beg the query about how a lot good extra time in that league will truly do? Would he not be best-served taking part in day in and time out with the Flames?
Coronato’s going to should earn that chance, and he is aware of it.
The summer season after a participant’s first yr as a professional is at all times an vital one, as they’ll focus their low season coaching on areas the place they should enhance with the intention to adapt to the NHL sport.
For Coronato, skating was a giant a part of that.
“Undoubtedly, massive focus for the summer season,” Coronato stated when requested in regards to the work he’d completed to enhance his skating. “There’s nonetheless a while (earlier than coaching camp), so undoubtedly nonetheless persevering with to do issues right here over the following couple weeks, however I be ok with it.
“I feel workout-wise, I did issues somewhat otherwise however nothing too loopy. However I felt good on the finish of final summer season, as nicely. My objective all summer season was to come back into camp in the very best form I might and I be ok with that.”
With camp solely weeks away, Coronato is again in Calgary working and coaching with a small group of Flames teammates.
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He is aware of it’s going to be an vital camp for him. A yr in the past, he had seven factors in six pre-season video games and whereas that didn’t translate right into a full season with the NHL membership, the same — or higher — displaying would undoubtedly make it exhausting to go away him out of the lineup when the common season will get underway.
“Going into my second yr I really feel much more comfy having actual relationships with guys and employees and simply form of figuring out the best way issues go along with a coaching camp,” Coronato stated. “I really feel good this time round, undoubtedly, and I’ve received a pair extra weeks to gear up and prepare for it.”
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