Connor Zary: From Disappointment to Determination

Connor Zary, a young forward for the Calgary Flames, offers a compelling case study in the determination and resilience required to succeed in professional hockey. Zary’s journey from being cut from the team to cementing his place in the lineup is a narrative often recounted at the Saddledome, the Flames’ home arena.

During a recent interview, Flames head coach Ryan Huska and general manager Craig Conroy recalled the meeting with Zary, where the young player’s impression was not marked by words, but by body language. “You could tell he was pissed off,” Conroy noted, reflecting on his own experiences as a player receiving similar news. Despite the disappointment, Zary’s attitude was constructive, questioning, “What do I have to do to come back?”

This interaction took place when Zary was reassigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, missing his chance for an NHL debut. The decision, while expected by many, left Zary visibly frustrated. “He was mad last year, Connor was, sitting in that office,” recalled Huska. However, Huska and Conroy encouraged Zary to dominate at the minor-league level, and he rose to the challenge, delivering an impressive performance with ten points in four games.

Zary’s quick adaptation and subsequent recall to the NHL, where he scored a goal in his third shift, underscored his potential. Now a promising talent at the forefront of the Flames’ long-term strategy, Zary’s trajectory is seen as a blueprint for other players facing setbacks. “We told him, ‘Go down and be the best player there.’ And sure enough, he did that,” Conroy stated.

With the NHL roster deadlines looming, the Flames’ management must finalize their 23-man lineup. Players like Matt Coronato, Jakob Pelletier, and Cole Schwindt are poised for the final evaluation, with some potentially heading to the AHL like Zary before them. Huska emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities: “You have a choice… you can go down and be the hardest-working, best player down there.”

Zary’s resilience serves as an educational example for other young athletes, demonstrating that mental fortitude and adaptability can significantly impact professional growth. His return and subsequent success with the Flames illustrate how talent combined with determination can lead to an embedded role in a competitive NHL roster.

As Zary prepares to take the ice alongside teammates like Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman in the season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, he reflects on his journey with gratitude. “Every time you go into one of those, you know what’s happening, so it’s a pretty tough day,” Zary commented, highlighting the emotional challenge of being cut. His journey resonates as a motivational story for those aspiring to reach their professional aspirations in the face of adversity.