From being a raw — and big — prospect, the 6-foot-8 winger has made an incredible climb to the Flames thanks to his determination, enthusiasm and "sneaky skillset"
A nap before his NHL debut? Maybe. Possibly.
At the best of times, hulking Calgary Flames winger Adam Klapka is an energetic whirling dervish.
Klapka wasn’t so sure the pre-game winks would come in the hours leading up to his first ever game at hockey’s highest level.
“I going to try,” an absolutely buzzing Klapka said after the morning skate. “I don’t know if it’s going to work, but I’ll try to sleep a little bit.”
Klapka is the fifth prospect to make his NHL debut this season for the Flames, following fellow forwards Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil and defencemen Ilya Solovyov and Yan Kuznetsov. As well, goalie Dustin Wolf and Matt Coronato officially became NHLers when they suited up for Calgary’s 2022-23 season finale.
At first glance, it would be easy to assume the 6-foot-8, 235 pound Klapka is a goon from a bygone era, but that is far from the case. The 23-year-old from Prague, Czechia, can drop the mitts if necessary, but do not sleep on his ability to light the lamp.
“One thing he does have is a sneaky skillset,” coach Ryan Huska said. “I’m assuming you won’t see a lot of that, he’ll keep his game very simple, which is something that’s good thing for a young guy getting his first taste. It’s more about being a harder guy to play against and using his size to his advantage.”
Klapka, inked as a free-agent in the summer of 2022, has netted 27 goals and 50 points in 102 games (counting playoffs) for the AHL Calgary Wranglers. In 33 games this season, he’s potted 10 goals and 11 assists.
He also already leads the Flames in “best days”. Klapka’s infectious enthusiasm has shone in the Flames dressing room when he was recalled on Thursday, and it has not dimmed.
Add that to his determination, and it is easy to see why the Flames are so excited about the progress he has already made as well as his upside.
“It’s going to be probably, again, my best day in my life,” Klapka said. “I’m going to enjoy it, but obviously you want to play good hockey, play your game, so I’ll be ready.”
Making his debut even more special is the fact Klapka’s parents — Thomas and Radka — made the journey from home to Calgary in time.
“They booked a flight right away (when) I got called up,” he said. “They risk it because, you can see your son once playing his first NHL game. They took the plane right after I got called up so they are here, I appreciate it.
“It’s amazing, probably couldn’t be a better first game that you can play, I’m excited that I can play my first game against Edmonton.”