hockeyfights.com forums - Michael Ferland to return to Wheat Kings

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Michael Ferland to return to Wheat Kings

Quote:

Today, Michael Ferland was back on the ice with the Brandon Wheat Kings as the club practiced for the first time in preparation for the start of the second half.

And, all indications are #27 will be in uniform when the Wheat Kings host the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night (7:35 p.m., Westman Communications Group Place).

“I hope Calgary and my agent figure it would, and I hope I’ll be able to play here on the 28th against Moose Jaw,” said Ferland after the Boxing Day night practice with the Wheat Kings.

Ferland has dressed in just seven games with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat and had a three-game stint with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies just before Christmas, but has been a frequent healthy scratch in his first professional season.

It’s been a frustrating first half of the season for the 6-foot-2, 208 pounder to the point where he felt he needed to be sent back to junior in order to get back to playing games.

“It’s already Christmastime, and I’ve only played seven games. I’ve talked to my agent, I’ve talked to Kelly (Wheat Kings’ GM Kelly McCrimmon), I’ve talked with the Flames’ GM and it came down to trying to come back for another year of junior,” said Ferland, “It’s only going to get harder to crack Abbotsford’s lineup with the team they have so, you know, I’m just excited to get back to playing some hockey games here.”

Ferland’s agent is currently trying to work with the Flames in order to have him transferred back to the Wheat Kings for the balance of the season.

Link

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced today that they have assigned forward Michael Ferland to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.

"We have very high expectations for Michael, and value the power forward traits that he brings to our organization,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. “It was important to us to have him in training camp, give him some exposure to a pro hockey environment, and get a read on his development. Based on the depth of our team in Abbotsford, and the limited game minutes that Michael is currently able to get there, we felt that it would be in the best interest of his development to return to the WHL, where he can get the minutes that we want him to have, and continue to grow his skill and confidence. We continue to be bullish on Michael’s potential, and look forward to his contributions to the Flames in the future."

Ferland, a native of Brandon MB, played seven games this season with the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL and three games with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. The 6’1’, 190lbs left winger was drafted by Calgary in the 5th round (133rd overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Ferland, who played three years with the Wheat Kings, recorded 47 goals and 49 assists for 96 points last season.

The Wheat Kings received a nice post Christmas gift here. I'm sure a few teams will be more than willing to overpay for his services over the next week and a half before the trade deadline. My bet is he ends up with Kamloops. Although I'm sure Edmonton and Saskatoon will pitch a few offers. Ferland just seems to be a perfect fit for the Blazers.