Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska signs two-year contract extension

The Calgary Flames have signed head coach Ryan Huska to a two-year contract extension. Glenn Campbell reports.

If anyone wondered what the players think of Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska, all you had to do was witness what happened at the end of practice on Thursday.

All of the players on the ice gave Huska stick taps to congratulate him on his two-year contract extension.

Huska says he is grateful to be able to guide the Flames for a few more seasons.

“Honestly, I’m quite honoured that I have an opportunity to have some more time here,” Huska, 50, said.

“I think that’s important for us because I truly believe that we are going in the right direction as a team.”

Continuity important

Huska has been in the Flames organization since the 2014-15 season, when he coached in the minor leagues.

In 2023, he was named the 24th head coach in team’s history.

In the two years with Huska in charge, the Flames have a 79-66 and 19 record.

Last year, they missed making the playoffs by a single point.

General manager Craig Conroy says he’s a firm believer in continuity, and was happy to extend Huska’s contract.

“The thing is, we’re all in this together,” Conroy said.

“He wants to make them better and we all want to have success, and we believe he’s the right person for the job,” he added. “I’m excited to see where we are in three years’ time.”

Good communicator

The players appreciate Huska because he’s a good communicator.

Defenceman Rasmus Andersson says that’s one of his strong suits.

“He listens to you as well. It’s not just him that is speaking and it’s an open and honest conversation,” he said.

“You know, honesty is the best way to go at it, and I feel like if you have that – the honesty with the coach – he knows what to expect from you, and you know what to expect from him.”

Can be tough

Many have described Huska as a “players’ coach.”

Captain Mikael Backlund has known Huska since their days with the Kelowna Rockets.

He says Huska is fair but tough when he has to be.

“He’s a really good motivator,” he said.

“You can talk to him, but if you’re not putting up with it or not doing the right things, he’s going to let you know it, and he hasn’t changed – and that’s really good.”

While Huska was happy with the extension, the same couldn’t be said about Wednesday night’s 8-1 loss to the Canucks.

He says it would’ve been way better to get the extension after a win.

“A day like today, it’s not the ideal day for all of this, but the players have to know that what we put on the ice last night isn’t the way we expect our team to play.”

After Wednesday’s practice, the Flames announced goaltender Ivan Prosvetov, defenceman Ilya Solovyov and forward Rory Kerins have all been placed on waivers.

The Flames wrap up the pre-season on Friday night when they host the Winnipeg Jets.