Latest news with #Conroy
Vancouver Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Flames take lightning-quick Potter with 32nd overall pick
Any conversation about Cullen Potter is going to start with his speed. That's inevitable. Drafted by the Calgary Flames with the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall, Potter might just be faster than any other player whose name got called on Friday night. 'His speed is electric,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy. 'He's fast, quick, electric, he's got hockey sense.' There's more to Potter's game than the quickness with which he darts around the NCAA ice for Arizona State. Of course there is. You don't play U.S. college hockey as a 17-year-old against opponents who might be six or seven years older than you just because you're fast. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But they say you can't teach speed, and Potter's got it. The son of four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter – who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal with the Americans – the newest member of the Flames might have the 'fastest skater' title locked up if the organization ever brings their Super Skills Competition back. 'I think my strongest asset is definitely my speed,' said Potter, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 lbs and is a leftie. 'Speed and skill and tenacity and compete are what I do best. 'I think the best players in the world have a lot of speed. Just looking at McDavid and MacKinnon and those guys, just being able to use my speed and hands at the same time is really important, and I think that's what the best players in the NHL do.' Nobody is expecting Potter to be one of the best players in the world right away, but the early returns on his college career have been extremely encouraging. Despite being only 17-years-old for a good chunk of his freshman year at Arizona State – he turned 18 on January 10 – Potter netted 13 goals and added nine assists in 35 games. He also put up four goals and four assists while playing for the U.S. under-18 team. Conroy and the Flames scouting staff watched it all, and were thrilled about getting a player with his upside so late in the first round. 'When you look at him, you think 'Where is he going to be?' ' Conroy said about playing against older competition in the NCAA. 'It would be like stepping into the American League right away, you're playing against me. That's what I think is so impressive for him. To see him play with the U18s, I thought he was noticeable every shift and it was the speed that caught my attention.' Depending on where you look, Potter has been listed as either a centre or a winger, but it's clear that the Flames view his future as being in the middle. Combined with Cole Reschny, who was drafted at No. 18 overall earlier in the night, Friday's first-round should accomplish the much talked-about goal of adding young centres to a Flames prospect pool that was running on empty. 'I hope so,' Conroy said. 'Hopefully he plays centre all year. Both of these playing centre, we don't have a lot of centres. Luke Misa played centre, but there's not a lot of guys in our organization that played centre that we drafted. For me, you can always move him to wing but for me, right from the start I'd rather not put that in my mind. They're going to be centres.' That suits Potter just fine. 'I think I can play anywhere, but with my speed and skill I'm the best down the middle and can accomplish the most,' said Potter, who will return to Arizona State for another season next year. 'Just keep developing (in the) defensive zone and offensive zone and get stronger and everything like that, but I think I'm most effective down the middle.' Potter's family pedigree didn't go unremarked upon, either. Potter's dad has been a hockey coach for three decades in Minnesota and his mom, as mentioned earlier, is a trailblazer in the women's game. While having hockey in your blood isn't enough to get you to the NHL on its own, it certainly doesn't hurt. 'It's huge, just having a mom who has played hockey before and at a high level, too, it's great,' Potter said. 'Just being able to talk to her after games and learn a lot from her growing up, and also, my dad played hockey, too, so just having a family I can trust and rely on when things aren't going as great, they've been really influential in my life and they're who I look up to the most.' daustin@
Ottawa Citizen
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Flames take lightning-quick Potter with 32nd overall pick
Any conversation about Cullen Potter is going to start with his speed. That's inevitable. Article content Drafted by the Calgary Flames with the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall, Potter might just be faster than any other player whose name got called on Friday night. Article content 'His speed is electric,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy. 'He's fast, quick, electric, he's got hockey sense.' Article content Article content Article content Article content But they say you can't teach speed, and Potter's got it. Article content The son of four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter – who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal with the Americans – the newest member of the Flames might have the 'fastest skater' title locked up if the organization ever brings their Super Skills Competition back. Article content 'I think my strongest asset is definitely my speed,' said Potter, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 lbs and is a leftie. 'Speed and skill and tenacity and compete are what I do best. Article content 'I think the best players in the world have a lot of speed. Just looking at McDavid and MacKinnon and those guys, just being able to use my speed and hands at the same time is really important, and I think that's what the best players in the NHL do.' Article content Article content Article content Nobody is expecting Potter to be one of the best players in the world right away, but the early returns on his college career have been extremely encouraging. Article content Despite being only 17-years-old for a good chunk of his freshman year at Arizona State – he turned 18 on January 10 – Potter netted 13 goals and added nine assists in 35 games. He also put up four goals and four assists while playing for the U.S. under-18 team. Article content Conroy and the Flames scouting staff watched it all, and were thrilled about getting a player with his upside so late in the first round. Article content 'When you look at him, you think 'Where is he going to be?' ' Conroy said about playing against older competition in the NCAA. 'It would be like stepping into the American League right away, you're playing against me. That's what I think is so impressive for him. To see him play with the U18s, I thought he was noticeable every shift and it was the speed that caught my attention.'
Calgary Herald
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Flames take lightning-quick Potter with 32nd overall pick
Any conversation about Cullen Potter is going to start with his speed. That's inevitable. Article content Drafted by the Calgary Flames with the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall, Potter might just be faster than any other player whose name got called on Friday night. Article content 'His speed is electric,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy. 'He's fast, quick, electric, he's got hockey sense.' Article content Article content Article content Article content But they say you can't teach speed, and Potter's got it. Article content The son of four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter – who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal with the Americans – the newest member of the Flames might have the 'fastest skater' title locked up if the organization ever brings their Super Skills Competition back. Article content 'I think my strongest asset is definitely my speed,' said Potter, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 lbs and is a leftie. 'Speed and skill and tenacity and compete are what I do best. Article content 'I think the best players in the world have a lot of speed. Just looking at McDavid and MacKinnon and those guys, just being able to use my speed and hands at the same time is really important, and I think that's what the best players in the NHL do.' Article content Article content Article content Nobody is expecting Potter to be one of the best players in the world right away, but the early returns on his college career have been extremely encouraging. Article content Despite being only 17-years-old for a good chunk of his freshman year at Arizona State – he turned 18 on January 10 – Potter netted 13 goals and added nine assists in 35 games. He also put up four goals and four assists while playing for the U.S. under-18 team. Article content Conroy and the Flames scouting staff watched it all, and were thrilled about getting a player with his upside so late in the first round. Article content 'When you look at him, you think 'Where is he going to be?' ' Conroy said about playing against older competition in the NCAA. 'It would be like stepping into the American League right away, you're playing against me. That's what I think is so impressive for him. To see him play with the U18s, I thought he was noticeable every shift and it was the speed that caught my attention.'
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pacific Islands delay security plan that could open door to China
SYDNEY: Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji, had been negotiating its first joint security framework, focused on maritime security. A meeting of the group's leaders on Monday (June 23) in Fiji delayed a decision, with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling Reuters the security strategy was yet to be agreed on. Discussions over Taiwan, among other matters, and how to accommodate the different positions of members was challenging, he said on Thursday. The inter-government group, courted by Beijing which funded its headquarters in Vanuatu, has previously said it would consider China as a security partner. The Pacific's bigger diplomatic bloc, the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, has rejected China security ties and said instead the Pacific should provide its own security. Among the Melanesian Spearhead Group nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are seen as the closest to Beijing with policing ties, while Papua New Guinea has security deals with the United States and Australia, and Fiji has a defence partnership with Australia. Australia said on Thursday it would assist the Pacific Islands to counter illegal fishing by doubling funding to A$477 million (US$312 million) for aerial maritime surveillance across millions of kilometres of the Pacific, using civilian planes and drones. China, which operates the biggest fishing fleets, demonstrated its coast guard capabilities to 10 Pacific Islands ministers last month, prompting concern from some regional officials it may start patrolling the South Pacific, where the United States Coast Guard has increased activity. Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting for the first time, sitting across the room from China's ambassador Zhou Jian at the Fiji discussions. China's embassy in Fiji said in a statement that the group was a "crucial platform for promoting regional peace and stability". In the meeting, Conroy highlighted that Australia is the largest trading partner of every member of the group. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said in a statement that progress was made on the security strategy, with "a firm commitment to collaborate with member countries and associate partners to enhance stability and peace throughout the region". He did not specify which partners. In the Solomon Islands on Thursday, Conroy said Australia will provide 60 police vehicles, cyber security support and road upgrades for Honiara to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September. "The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes," he said in a statement. Solomon Islands is yet to formally respond to Australia's offer in December of A$100 million to expand its police force, Conroy said in a television interview. "I made it clear that I don't think that China should be involved in policing in the Pacific," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Solomon Islands said it would fill any security gaps by seeking assistance from Melanesian countries, he added. - Reuters
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Amidst trade rumours, Flames GM says Rasmus Andersson could start next season in Calgary
Article content As trade speculation swirls, Calgary Flames fans would do anything for a glimpse at the call log on Craig Conroy's cell phone. Article content They'd love to know who has been inquiring about Rasmus Andersson, which rival general managers are angling to trade for the workhorse defenceman and what they're willing to offer in exchange. Article content Conroy isn't going to divulge those details, of course, although he confirmed that he did have one important conversation Thursday, on the eve of the 2025 NHL Draft. Article content Article content 'I talked to Ras this morning and we're all good,' Conroy said during an early afternoon media scrum at the Saddledome. 'If he's a Calgary Flame in September, he's a Calgary Flame.' Article content Article content There's no guarantee that Andersson will still be a Flame by the end of the weekend, though. Article content As he enters the final year of his current contract, it has been rumoured that the 28-year-old blueliner is ready for a change of scenery. Article content Despite posting a miserable minus-38 rating in 2024-25, Andersson can handle tough matchups, can contribute in the offensive zone and has a reputation as a strong voice in the locker room. He was selected as Sweden's captain at the world championship tournament. Article content Article content Article content Andersson also showed his toughness and competitive streak by playing the final few weeks of this past season with a broken fibula. He continued to rack up blocked shots, finishing fourth among all NHLers with 196. Article content Article content It's certainly possible that Conroy will receive a trade offer he can't refuse prior to (or during) Friday's first round of the draft. Maybe he's already mulling a couple of potential packages. Article content On Thursday, however, he was sending the rest of the league a message that he won't be rushed into a deal. A contract extension for Andersson seems unlikely, especially since the Flames have an impressive stable of defence prospects, but Conroy was adamant that 'we're never going to close a door.' Article content 'You gotta look at it — Ras has got another year on his contract,' Conroy reminded. 'There's nothing that I would say is going to happen or not going to happen. You know, we would never do it in the media anyways. We're just going to go about our business and try to make the team better, with the draft coming up and free agency.
