In the world of hockey, the Calgary Flames’ first-round pick Jakob Pelletier is well aware that his path to becoming a regular NHL player may not involve scoring goals. Standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing in at 170 pounds, the left winger knows that in order to secure a spot, he will have to shine as a bottom-six forward dedicated to defense, forechecking, and causing chaos for the opposing team.
“I think [my game] works well on the fourth line,” Pelletier noted last week. “It’s on me to be ready in case something happens, and they want me to go up in the lineup.” With a level-headed and determined mindset, Pelletier is preparing himself for any challenges that may come his way.
However, the Flames are currently faced with a difficult decision regarding the 23-year-old from Quebec City. Pelletier, who requires waivers to be sent to the American Hockey League, has been moving back and forth between the two leagues during his career. While he has shown promise as a point-per-game player in the AHL, his NHL performance has yet to reflect that same consistency.
During training camp, Pelletier has not captured as much attention as some of the other young forwards on the team, such as Samuel Honzek, Matthew Coronato, Sam Morton, and Adam Klapka, who have been making waves with their impressive play. With established veteran depth on the top two lines, the competition for bottom-six spots is fierce.
Having played three preseason games with zero points and a -3 rating, Pelletier has been working hard to demonstrate his speed and tenacity consistently on the ice. As head coach Ryan Huska observed, “We want it to be consistent and that’s the biggest thing…it’s finding a way to do it every shift.”
Recently, Pelletier has found himself skating alongside experienced players Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman, hoping to embody what he calls “Jakob Pelletier hockey” – a style characterized by relentless forechecking and a disruptive presence on the ice. Looking back on a challenging previous season, Pelletier acknowledges that he is in a process of rebuilding and reinventing himself for the upcoming opportunities.
With determination and dedication, Pelletier is striving to carve out a niche for himself on the Calgary Flames roster, showcasing his unique skill set and proving that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport.
