Calgary Flames' Mark Giordano a captain who leads by example
“I find when you can lead by example, it makes it a lot easier to talk and speak up and say things when you’re going out there and doing the right thing yourself.”
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About 300 kilometres north of the Scotiabank Saddledome, a teenager is set to embark on a new era as the captain of the Edmonton Oilers.
At 19, he still can’t enjoy an alcoholic beverage in the United States. But future bright and star power obvious, Connor McDavid — ready or not — is in charge.
Straight down the QEII Highway, another scene is playing out.
It’s nearing the end of training camp and Mark Giordano, one of the last to leave the ice by his own choice, is dripping with sweat.
There are a million things on his plate. Off-ice workouts, meetings, appearances, not to mention a wife and a young son to take care of. But, because it’s part of his job as captain of the Calgary Flames to talk to the media, he politely obliges.
Veteran savvy — with the slightest touch of grey in his dark beard — the 33-year-old offers some perspective from his professional experience.
“You know what?” he was saying. “I think he’s one of those guys that will lead that team on the ice. You can just see it by watching him last year and in the World Cup tournament. He’s just a special player.
“I find when you can lead by example, it makes it a lot easier to talk and speak up and say things when you’re going out there and doing the right thing yourself.”
Giordano and teenage counterpart in Edmonton might not be all that different after all.
Heading into his fourth season wearing the ‘C’, leading by example has always been his philosophy.
With a lunch-bucket-mentality, Giordano punches the clock early, stays late, rarely takes a lunch break, and keeps his teammates accountable in the process.
He’s the heartbeat. The soul. As Giordano goes, so does the team.
In Edmonton, that job fall squarely on McDavid’s shoulders now.
But in Calgary, it’s business as usual for Giordano.
“You always spend a lot of time thinking (about the upcoming year) before the season starts,” he said. “We have a new coaching staff, a lot of new faces. You’re optimistic, always, at the start. It’s been a good camp, the systems suit the way we play. Our style. It’s been all positive.
“But the bottom line is, we’re disappointed about last year. It was a frustrating year and we have to find a way to get back into the playoffs.”
He went onto talk about puck possession.
Being more aggressive in their defensive game.
About Flames’ fans supportiveness, but understandable frustration.
No nonsense.
No small-talk.
No tip-toeing around the facts — last year was, straight up, a bad year.
“He’s a competitive, competitive guy on the ice,” Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan was saying. “You can see that in every game. He leads by example. He is not afraid to put the team in front of himself. He’s a great human being.
“I just think we’re very fortunate here — and I’m very fortunate — to have such a good leader.”
Giordano’s road to the NHL is still the same as it was when he joined the organization in 2005.
Over a decade ago, the undrafted blueliner worked his way onto the Flames roster and, through hard work and perseverance, managed to suit up for 598 NHL games.
When his Norris Trophy-like season in 2014-15 and All-Star Game appearances (2015 and 2016) came as a surprise to many, Gulutzan knew better.
“Not in Vancouver,” said Gulutzan, who has seen plenty of Giordano over the years with the Canucks, Dallas Stars, and the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers. “We knew the kind of player he was. Every pre-scout, we knew the ‘D’ they had (in Calgary) and especially Gio. You’re playing against each other so much and when there’s a great player, he’s not hidden to us.”
With 21 goals and 35 assists last year in 82 games, Giordano finished third in team scoring.
His expectations of 2016-17 are similar, regardless of his captain-sized paycheque — a $40.5-million ($6.75 AAV) six-year pact which kicks in this season.
“I signed that contract, it seems, a long time ago,” Giordano said. “There’s always a lot of pressure because I expect myself to do well and to play against top lines and help the team win. You always put that pressure on yourself. Contracts … you try not to let that stuff affect you.”
In fact, Giordano’s new contract kicking in has been somewhat overshadowed in the wake of the off-season moves made by Flames general manager Brad Treliving.
The re-signing of Sean Monahan.
New goaltenders Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson.
Johnny Gaudreau’s ongoing contract negotiations.
The play of rookie Matthew Tkachuk.
A new head coaching staff.
Quietly, amid all of the headlines, Giordano has led by example.
“Every team will tell you, there is a lot of optimism at the start of camp,” he said. “There are a lot of things you think can work. But then it falls on the players. We have to go out and do it.
“It’s a clean slate, right?”
On Twitter: @Kristen_Odland
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