Tyler Wotherspoon has already seen ice-time in the past for the Calgary Flames. Maybe it’s time to give him another shot in the NHL.
In a September Calgary Sun interview with Randy Sportak, Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley had the following to say of Wotherspoon.
“If you want to steal a jersey or you want to be part of an NHL team, you’ll have to step on toes.” said Hartley, suggesting that Tyler shows too much respect to the players currently manning the Calgary Flames blue line.
Call it respect, call it youthful inexperience, call it whatever; it suggests that Hartley does have Wotherspoon in mind for a role, but wants the player to truly earn his place. With Wideman’s expected suspension, this is that perfect opportunity for Tyler to get back onto the Calgary Flames roster and prove himself to the head coach.
As a 2011 second round draft pick, the clock is ticking to become an NHL regular; several other defensemen from his draft class are already regulars in the ‘big league’, including none other than Dougie Hamilton.
Whether the twenty-one year old will see ice-time with the Calgary Flames this season is anyone’s guess, but he certainly has an appetite for it given his appearances in last year’s play-off run.
Next: The Rookie Option: Oliver Kylington