CALGARY - Peter Kosterman didn’t hear his name called at this summer’s NHL Entry Draft.
But the Calgary Hitmen defenceman still going to a big-league camp — with his hometown Calgary Flames.
Kosterman said he wasn’t shocked at being snubbed at the draft.
“Obviously, it was disappointing,” Kosterman said.
“But I wasn’t entirely surprised based on my assessment of how I thought the season went.”
That, of course, goes for the entire team as the Hitmen finished the season in dead last.
But Kosterman is beaming over the opportunity given to him by the Flames.
“I got a call on Aug. 18, and I’m super excited,” he said. “Just from the time of the year, I thought maybe that ship had sailed for this summer.
“But I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call.
“It was my goal to go to a camp. I’m on my way, and we’ll see what happens.”
The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder will suit up for the Flames at the Penticton prospects tournament next month.
“I think we have some fitness testing here in Calgary, and then we head out and play in the tournament,” Kosterman said.
“I’m excited because I love the tournament setting, the short-term competition.”
Kosterman and the Hitmen are eager to leave the horrible taste from last season behind. Nobody wants to go through that again.
“Last year was a tough year, but I’m really excited about this year,” he said.
“I think there’s a different energy than the previous year.
“I think we can learn from last year and not have a repeat.”
