Ferland lets good times roll

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/12/2016 (3199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY — These are truly good times for Calgary Flames forward Micheal Ferland.

The 24-year-old product of Swan River says after a bumpy ride to begin his pro career, this is the most he’s enjoyed playing hockey since he was in his late teens, cranking out big points, thunderous hits and the occasional punch with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.

“Things have been going good here, for sure,” Ferland said Saturday, prior the Flames’ evening clash with the Winnipeg Jets. “I’m having a lot of fun, the team’s having a lot of success right now and it’s fun coming to the rink right now.”

After some well-documented struggles off the ice, including a battle with alcoholism, Ferland is developing into the kind of power forward the Flames envisioned when they selected him in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

The 6-2, 208-pound left-winger had fired four goals through the first 30 games of the season, while supplying six assists. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s already equalled his total goals from a year ago, his minutes are trending up and he’s earned the confidence of his coaches.

Ferland has averaged a little less than 11 minutes a game playing the majority of time on the club’s fourth line, but he’s also seen some action in the top six, including a spot alongside centre Sean Monahan and Troy Brouwer on the No. 2 unit against the Jets because of an injury to Kris Versteeg.

Initially carving out a role as a physical, energy guy, Ferland sought to find a balance to his game where he can be used in a shutdown role against the opposition’s best but still create chances in the offensive zone. He’s even had a few looks on the power play this season and has netted two goals with the Flames enjoying the man advantage.

He’s also had three fighting majors.

Versatility never hurts in Ferland’s line of work.

“I feel more confidence on the ice. Every game that goes by, I feel like I know I belong in this league. I want to prove to the coaching and the management that I can play different roles,” said Ferland, who ripped 47 goals during the 2011-12 WHL season in Brandon. “It’s nice to be able to play on all four lines. Finish your checks, try to wear their guys down.”

Head coach Glen Gulutzan, a former Wheat Kings player himself, said Ferland has been, in a word, “outstanding” for the Flames this year.

“He’s been physical, he’s kept it real simple. But in that simplicity, he’s made some great plays because he has skill. He’s got a great shot, a great work ethic and he’s done everything for us,” said Gulutzan. “He’s been physical for us, he’s fought, he’s made some plays, he’s played up and down the lineup on the left and right wing.

“With him, the mindset for him that we’ve talked about is three and three, three hits and three shots a game, starting from that mentally. And his game has just blossomed after that.”

Success on the ice now and moving forward will always be linked to the positive strides and stability he’s worked so hard to achieve away from the game.

This March will mark three years of sobriety for Ferland, who was raised by a single mother, Dianne, in the Brandon area, and who benefited from the aid of organizations such as KidSport to get her son hockey equipment.

Ferland was also acquitted of assault charges nearly 18 months ago when a Calgary judge ruled he acted in self-defence in 2015 during an altercation at an Alberta nightclub. A subsequent lawsuit was also tossed out.

He said his pro career might have been dashed had it not been for the support of his mom, as well as his longtime partner, Kayleigh Chapman.

“I think back to that path I was on, and I really don’t know where I’d be. I know there’s no way I’d be playing at this level,” he said. “I’m living the life that I dreamed of living.”

A family man now — the couple has a seven-month-old daughter, Brynlee — Ferland knows he’s also playing to earn another contract in the NHL. He’s in the final year of a two-year deal that pays him US$825,000 annually.

“You have a tough day at the rink and you see her, and she just turns everything around,” he said of his daughter. “Then, from a different perspective, I also have another mouth to feed. It’s helped me grow up a lot.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPJasonBell