Connor Zary has had flashes of brilliance with the Calgary Flames, but he just hasn’t been able to find consistency. Injuries have certainly played a role in that, but Zary says he expects more from himself and says this is a very big year for him. “No matter who you ask, it’s always a big year,” the 2020 first-round pick said. “In general I had a down year last year, so I think it’s going to be big for me to bounce back and get going right from the start.” Had a good off-season The third year forward scored 12 goals and added 13 assists in 74 games last season and knew he had to have a big off-season. Zary says he worked harder and smarter this summer and is hoping it pays off. “I did extra power skating, and I think I was kind of diligent with my diet and things I was doing there and my cardio and stuff like that,” he said. “I think it was just little things that physically and mentally prepare you for a season and 84 games and whatever you can do to get an edge and make your game better is what I tried to focus on this summer.” Flames Head Coach Ryan Huska says he can tell the work that Zary put in a lot of hard work in the off-season. He wants to see the 24-year-old add more pace in his game and hopes he gets more competitive on the puck. Huska says if he can do more of that he will have a bigger impact in the game. “Connor has done a lot of good work over the course of the summer in regards to taking care of himself in a lot of different ways and he’s come back and looked really good in camp,” Huska said. “I’m excited to see what he’s going to do tonight (Tuesday against the Canucks). I’m excited to see his linemates (Ryan) Strome and (Yegor) Sharangovich and hopefully the three of them can find something together starting Tuesday night.” Goals for the season Zary would like to improve on his totals from last season and be more of a consistent player and says he has some goals he’d like to reach — but he’s keeping those to himself. “I always set my personal goals and keep them and work towards them,” he said. “That’s something that I think it’s important to have realistic and attainable goals, but things that challenge you to be a better player.” Zary and the Flames play their second preseason game on Tuesday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The puck drops at the Scotiabank Saddledome at 7 p.m.
