With a summer of training in Calgary under his belt, Athabasca’s Keegan Kanzig is heading south after a trade from the Calgary Flames to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 22-year-old defenseman was back in town Sept. 2, visiting friends and watching hockey at the Hot Karl Memorial Draft Tournament. Coffee in hand and eyes on the ice, he said he was around to support the tournament and the sport of hockey in town.
“It’s really good, what they’re doing with this tournament, and I was able to come down this year to see some of it, and I just wanted to come see it first hand,” he said, adding that this was the first year he was able to come and watch it. “It’s a good thing, what they’re doing for him and his family. It’s good to come and be a part of that, and see the sport that this town has.”
Kanzig said he was excited about the trade to the Hurricanes and would be heading down to Raleigh, North Carolina for tryouts at the team’s training camp.
“I’m looking forward to the new team, the new system, the different organization,” he said. “I think it will be a good opportunity for me.”
Although he did not play any regular season games with the Flames, Kanzig said he faced off against the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets in exhibition games.
“I got to play against Ryan Smyth, which is kind of cool to say,” he said.
Kanzig said he was playing junior a couple seasons with the Calgary Hitmen, then played with the Flames’ AHL affiliate the Stockton Heat. He said last year was his first full year pro.
He said he hopes to play with the Hurricanes this year, whether soon after the training camp or after spending some more time in the AHL with the Hurricanes’ affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.
“My goal is to get into an NHL game,” he said. “Show them that I try my best and hopefully I show that I deserve a chance and to be called up.”
