USA Hockey may have done the Calgary Flames a huge favour.
When the Americans doled out invitations to their Olympic orientation camp in late August, Dustin Wolf was not among the four goaltenders on the list.
If you have followed his ascent from too small to Saddledome star, from seventh-round draft pick to seven-year contract extension, you don’t require a reminder that this dude seems to thrive on being overlooked.
“They probably think they might have their guys, but I’m going to try to prove them wrong,” Wolf said after Friday’s training-camp practice. “It’s about how the start of the season goes. But I’m here. I’m waiting for a chance.
“It’s no different than any other year — you’re trying to prove everybody wrong. It’s just another added incentive to play your best hockey.”
While Wolf is typically matter-of-fact, the mere thought of somebody counting him out brings a smile to his mug.
The 24-year-old loves this stuff.
He doesn’t deny it.
Even as he tries to carry the Flames on his wiry shoulders, there will always room for a chip there.
“It makes it intriguing,” Wolf grinned. “There’s purpose to it, too. I mean, there’s always purpose to winning hockey games and getting in the playoffs. But you’re always doubted. It’s fun to look someone in the eyes and say, ‘Bet against me.’ ”
We wouldn’t recommend that.
If this California kid had any other passport, he would likely be considered a frontrunner for a trip to Italy in February for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The U.S. has a treasure trove of twine-minders to choose from.
Connor Hellebuyck, now a back-to-back winner of the Vezina Trophy, was their starter last winter at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he was backed up by Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman.
The other invitee to orientation camp was Joey Daccord, who split the crease with Swayman at the world championship in the spring.
When a college prospect was announced as their third goalie for that tournament, many assumed that Wolf — the runner-up last season for the NHL’s rookie-of-the-year honours — must have declined.
Forward William Stromgren takes a shot on goaltender Dustin Wolf during training camp.
“I know a bunch of people think I just said, ‘No,’ but that wasn’t the case,” Wolf clarified Friday. “I obviously would’ve went, so let’s put that to rest. It wasn’t my call.
“They had two so-called starters that had already committed before we were done, and they didn’t want three. So I stayed ready, but they decided to go a different route.
“Would I have liked to play? Sure. But you take the rest when you can get it.”
Wolf, who recently inked a US$52.5-million contract extension that cements his status as the new face-of-the-franchise in Calgary, might not get much rest this winter.
He logged 53 crease calls during the 2024-25 campaign, and that was despite a time-share situation in the first half.
As the Flames were scratching and clawing for the final wildcard in the Western Conference, ultimately missing out by the narrowest of margins, he was tapped for 76% of the starting assignments from Jan. 1 on.
It’s not far-fetched to think he could play 60-plus this season. In fact, head coach Ryan Huska left that door cracked open during Friday’s media availability.
A show of faith in Wolf, the Flames are comfortable choosing between two inexperienced options for the second-string role. Devin Cooley and Ivan Prosvetov are the candidates, and neither has ever been a full-time NHLer.
“I tell Connie (Craig Conroy) and Husk that I’ll play as many as you put me in there for,” Wolf said.
He wants the brass at USA Hockey to know the same.
By omitting Wolf from their Olympic orientation camp, they may have done the Flames a huge favour.
“Hey, he’s a hockey guy, and he gets it — he knows there are great goaltenders in the U.S. program,” Huska said. “But he also has a real strong belief in his ability. I feel like he wants to show people that he should be at least in that conversation now. So I do think it’s something that will probably work out well for us.”
‘Fittest Flame’ Ryan Lomberg practises during training camp on Friday.
ICE CHIPS: With Jonathan Huberdeau missing Friday’s practice for maintenance, 19-year-old speedster Matvei Gridin was doing drills alongside Nazem Kadri and Matt Coronato on Calgary’s top line … Huska revealed that Ryan Lomberg won the Fittest Flame title. According to the coach, Mikael Backlund, Blake Coleman, Daniil Miromanov and Sam Morton were also standouts in the test results … The Flames open the pre-season with Sunday’s split-squad clashes against the Edmonton Oilers. Most of the regulars should be in the home lineup.