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Long after his Calgary Wranglers teammates had left the ice at WinSport, Adam Klapka skated alone.
On this particular day, Klapka obsessively fired shots on net and then skated — hard — up and down the ice. To an outsider’s eyes, the 23-year-old looked like a man possessed.
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And maybe, to a certain extent, that’s exactly what Klapka is.
He’s been having a great season with the Wranglers and has taken a big step from his rookie year in the AHL.
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In his four games with the Flames, Klapka didn’t record any points. His ice time was limited, but there were definitely positives and still a few moments where he managed to effectively use his big 6-foot-8, 235 lbs. frame.
The challenge now is finding ways to do that every single shift at the NHL level.
That’s where the work comes in.
“I really appreciate the chance to play and it showed me the little things I have to work on,” Klapka said. “That’s what I’m trying to do at practice, just get back all the things I think I should be better at.”
Fortunately for Klapka, putting in the work has never been a problem.
Wranglers coaches raved about the strides he took in his first season as he learned to be a professional and found his game at the AHL level. That’s only continued in Year 2 as he’s found his footing as a more reliable offensive contributor.
He’s already soared past his season-total numbers from last season, scoring 14 goals and adding 19 assists in 48 games for the Wranglers. That he’s a plus-11 and has added four game-winning goals is impressive, as well.
“There’s a big learning curve, for sure, for a young man like him,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska back at the end of January. “What he’s done in the games is try to finish hits, you see him handling the puck a little bit more. We have to make sure that it’s every shift that he’s consistent with that, and that’s part of learning and growing as an NHL player.”
It’s worth noting, too, that Klapka has been absolutely red-hot for the Wranglers recently. If the Flames need a call-up he’s surely on the shortlist — especially after he picked up seven points in four games prior to Sunday afternoon’s contest at the Saddledome between the Wranglers and the Ontario Reign.
That’s the type of stretch that gets people’s attention and doesn’t happen without the work Klapka continues to put into his game.
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