The Win Column had the pleasure of interviewing recent draft pick Aidan Lane. Lane was drafted in the sixth round by the Calgary Flames, 176th overall. He is all set to play at Harvard University next season, coming off an excellent year with St. Andrew’s College and the Brampton Steelheads. Lane is extremely excited to have a chance at playing in a Canadian market. Let’s take a look at what the forward had to say about the Flames and his overall hockey career.

NHL Draft experience

The recent NHL Draft was the biggest moment for Lane’s hockey career. Our team asked what his draft experience was like and what his reaction was to being drafted by the Flames. Lane stated:

Aidan: “I was golfing with my father in Midland, Ontario, when I found out. I was checking the draft a bit. I saw my teammate, Kieren Dervin, go in the third round. All of a sudden, I started getting calls from my friends and teammates. It was cool to share that moment with my dad. It was a really good day”.

Lane had no idea where he would go in the draft. Our team asked if the Flames were specifically on his radar or if there was any communication with the team before the draft.

Aidan: “It was the only in-person meeting I had with any team. I met with a regional scout in the stands just after a game with Brampton. I always wanted to play for a Canadian team, in a Canadian market. It worked out well for me”.

Lane was extremely excited to be a Calgary Flame. It is an awesome thing to hear for any NHL franchise that their drafted players want to play with the team. This is something that Flames GM Craig Conroy has discussed in the past. He wants Calgary to be a place where players want to play, and wants to bring in players who want a long-term career in Calgary.

With the Flames development camp recently taking place, we asked what that experience was like and if it was his first time in Calgary.

Aidan: “I loved it. We only skated two times, so there was not much hockey. However, the overall experience was great. I love the city. One time, I came to Calgary after the Brick Tournament (10 years old), and my family went to the Stampede. I also love going to Banff and Lake Louise. Overall, it was a great week, and the players were great to be around”.

Looking into some of the other draftees, we asked if he got to know anyone better. Who stood out the most at development camp?

Aidan: “Mace’o Phillips was my roommate. I’d never met him, and he was a really nice guy. He is down-to-earth and a nice player to talk to. Obviously, Zayne Parekh stood out. He is a super agile skater. His skating is better than everyone else, while his shooting and deception are good as well. You can easily pick him out at the rink”.

Lane was highly impressed with top prospect Zayne Parekh. Many Flames fans are excited for him to make a push to make the Flames as soon as next season. There is a good chance that he can be an early pick to win the Calder Trophy next season (assuming he makes the NHL roster). Mace’o Phillips is a big-bodied defender who will play in the NCAA with the University of Minnesota next season.

Gameplay

To gain more of an understanding of what Lane is like as a player, our team asked how he would describe his game.

Aidan: “I am a smart offensive forward, and I play right wing. I pride myself on making good passes and creating good plays in the offensive zone. I try to play physical and score a lot of goals around the net. I think I play similar to current Flames forward Matt Coronato”.

Strong right-wingers are something the Flames need more of. If Lane can play anything like Coronato, he could turn into a strong prospect. Lane is set to play at Harvard University next season, where Coronato spent two years. Lane stated that he has never talked to Coronato, but would love to have the opportunity to ask him some questions.

Looking at some more specific gameplay, we asked what Lane’s biggest strengths are. As well as what part of his game he is most focused on improving.

Aidan: “My hockey IQ, smarts with the puck, and decision-making are my strengths. Something I am trying to improve is my explosiveness. I want to get to pucks quicker and beat players in puck races. Other than that, I just want to improve my shot and overall game”.

Lane had the pleasure of being the captain last year at St. Andrews College. Our team asked how that experience has changed him as a player and what lessons he learned along the way.

Aidan: “Yeah, that was a huge honour. I am more of a quiet leader. I am not the loud, get-in-your-face kind of leader. I had to do that a little bit, as I learned how to bring out the best of my team. It was an awesome experience that I can carry to my next team”.

As it is often seen in the NHL, being a captain can bring along more pressure. This is a common theme, especially in Canadian markets. The Win Column asked Aidan if that pressure is something he can excel under.

Aidan: “I felt it more at the beginning of the season. As time went on, I settled in and was able to play my game. Overall, the pressure of being a captain led me to play a better version of my game”.

Seeing how well Lane performed as a captain is a bright sign. The 18-year-old had 86 points in 55 games while he was the captain with St. Andrews College. Next season will be different at Harvard, as Lane will be one of the youngest players on the team. Like he said, as time goes on, he will settle in and find his game.

Jump to the NCAA

Lane is set to play at Harvard University next season. Our team asked if going to the NCAA and playing against stronger/older players would give Aidan a better chance to develop, rather than staying in the OHL.

Aidan: “That was part of my decision. I felt playing against older players would help me with my development. I could grow my body and play against older players who will push me. The different schedule will provide me with more work off-ice time, which I feel like I need more of.”

Going from the OHL to the NCAA is a big change, no matter who you are. The OHL schedule consists of games throughout the entire week, sometimes playing three or maybe four a week. In the NCAA, games are mostly on the weekend, with the likelihood of only playing twice a weekend. This jump will give Aidan more time to work on his game off the ice, which is just as important as working on the ice.

We asked Aidan if he had an idea of how many NCAA seasons he would play. Have you talked to the Flames about future plans?

Aidan: “I have not talked to them yet. If they come to me after next season and want to sign me, I absolutely would. That would be a dream come true. I would sign in a heartbeat to play for the Flames”.

To wrap up our discussion on Aidan’s jump to the NCAA, our team asked what the biggest challenge moving forward would be. As well as what teams he is most looking forward to playing against.

Aidan: “Just the overall pace and skill level. I am training this summer, trying to get up to speed. Confidence and the ability to play big minutes in a game will improve with my experience at Harvard. I most look forward to playing against Cornell because of the rivalry. I am also excited to play against some former teammates at Boston College. We host Michigan on a back-to-back, which should be a lot of fun”.

Flames talk

Since Aidan was drafted by the Flames, some of our interview discussed the Flames franchise in general. While discussing the fanbase, we asked Aidan what he would like Flames fans to know about you.

Aidan: “I am very competitive. I am willing to do whatever it takes to play on the Calgary Flames. I am extremely happy I got drafted to such a passionate team/fanbase”.

It is awesome to see Aidan so excited to be drafted by Calgary. Teams need players who want to play there to be successful. Hopefully, Flames fans can see Aidan wear the flaming C in a few years.

Looking into more of his past, we asked if there was a former or current Flames player that he looks up to.

Aidan: “I would say Jarome Iginla. My dad was a big fan of his, and that was passed down to me. Iginla gave a speech at a tournament I played in. It was really cool to listen and learn from him. I think I added the physicality in my game from watching him play”.

Being a fan of the best player in franchise history is a great sign. Iginla could do it all for the Flames, and Aidan would love to become a player like Iginla.

Personal facts

To get to know Aidan a bit better, we asked him some personal questions. First of all, we asked if he is superstitious.

Aidan: “Not too bad. I do the same thing before every game. I have confidence it will get me the same results”.

Aidan did mention that he is one of the many players who put their equipment on the same way every time. He states that this is more routine rather than superstition.

Talking about the offseason, we asked what Aidan does in the offseason to stay active (other than working out or skating).

Aidan: “I am outdoors a lot of the time. I love fishing lots and golfing up by my cottage in Midland”.

To wrap up our interview with Aidan, we asked what he would be doing if he were not a hockey player.

Aidan: “I liked playing lacrosse. I played throughout my time in high school. I think staying in sports would have been great for me”.

It seems as though Aidan is an extremely passionate hockey player. The Flames are lucky to have him, and we wish him all the best in the future.

For more on Aidan Lane, you can check out his draft profile.

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