From the Blazers to the Flames – Kamloops Blazers forward Connor Zary is the newest member of the Calgary Flames.
The Saskatoon native – and fan favourite in Kamloops – was drafted 24th overall during the first round of the 2020 NHL draft, making him the first Blazer taken in the first round since Keaton Ellerby in 2007.
Zary had 86 points including 38 goals in 57 games to help the Blazers to a BC Division title before the 2019-20 WHL season was cancelled because of COVID-19. He was also named to the Western Conference First All-Star team.
The 19-year-old also had a game-high three assists at the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January and never went two straight games without a point this season.
With the draft happening virtually because of COVID-19, Zary was surrounded by family and friends at his draft part.
“We just wanted to enjoy the moment. You know you’re not going to hold back any emptions,” Zary told NL Sports. “It means the world to me. This is my future and my family has been so supportive. It was an unbelievable moment.”
The Flames had the 19th pick initially in the first round but traded down twice to take Zary.
“Luckily when we got to 24, Connor was still there so that worked out here today,” said Flames GM Brad Treliving. “He’s a bit of a Swiss Army Knife. He plays a premier position at centre ice and a he’s a real smart player, a competitive player, a high hockey-sense player, and he plays in all three zones.”
“We think he’s a real 200 foot player. He’s one of those guys who has a knack for doing what the hardest thing is which is to shoot it in the net.”
Zary says he knew Calgary was interested, but admits the wait was nerve-wracking.
“They were one of the teams on my radar. They even told me that they were set on taking me for 19 and they risked it and made a hope play that they’d pick me at 22 and they made another hope play and it all worked out for the best,” Zary said.
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.”
Ahead of the draft, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button had nothing but praises to sing of the Blazers forward.
“Every single time that I watched Connor Zary play from the previous time, it was like, ‘wow, he’s doing more. he’s taken a bigger bite of the game,” Button said, on the NL Morning News.
“I did the draft for NBC and we did this thing called Craig’s man-crush, well Connor Zary is one of my man-crushes in the draft.”
Button compares Zary’s game to that of Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins.
All I know is that when I watch him play, he’s in the middle of everything critical. He’s in the middle of every important play – with the puck, without the puck, offensively and defensively,” Button added. “He can score, he can kill penalties, he can play the wing. He can play the middle of the ice, he can play a defensive role. He can play an offensive role.”
“I think there is incredible value in players like Connor Zary.”
Fellow Blazers Dylan Garand and Josh Pillar could be late round selections tomorrow when Rounds two through seven of the draft takes place. There is also the possibility that the Blazers’ two import defencemen – Viktor Persson and Inaki Baragano – also hear their names called tomorrow.
It’s official. Connor Zary to the Calgary Flames. #Kamloops https://t.co/lr7APjgNrK
— RadioNLNews (@RadioNLNews) October 7, 2020
Looks good on you, @ConnorZary 🔥 pic.twitter.com/b6uK66K8ll
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 7, 2020
The Zary family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NPITJxlkG
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 7, 2020
LANNY & ZARY?! 😍 @NHLFlames, you know us too well! @blazerhockey @tigershockey #NHLDraft #WHLAlumni 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/gan2bAKVix
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 7, 2020
