Prince Albert Raiders goaltender Carter Serhyenko has arrived in Calgary for rookie camp with the NHL's Flames. (Keith Hershmiller/WHL)

By Rob Mahon

Seryhenko to Flames Camp

Raiders goaltender Serhyenko arrives in Calgary for Flames camp

Sep 15, 2021 | 12:00 PM

A younger Carter Serhyenko might have had mixed emotions if he knew he’d be attending an NHL camp with the Calgary Flames. On the one hand, he’d have been thrilled to know his career was going that well. On the other hand, Serhyenko grew up cheering for the Flames’ archrivals.

“My brother is a big Calgary Flames fan actually,” Serhyenko said. “I was an Oilers fan growing up, but it’s kind of switched now.”

A friendly sibling rivalry over their favourite teams appears to have been resolved, as Serhyenko, the goaltender for the Prince Albert Raiders, has arrived in Calgary as one of three goalies attending their rookie camp. Connor Ungar (a fellow invitee) and drafted prospect Dustin Wolf are the others.

“Obviously it’s very exciting for me and my family and everyone who supports me,” Serhyenko said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity and I’m going to try to make the most of it. That’s where my thoughts went to: what I can do to prepare and get ready.”

Ironically, when Serhyenko takes the ice over the course of this week, one of the games he could appear in would be against his childhood team. The Flames don’t play in the traditional rookie tournament this year, but they do play two games against the Oilers’ rookies on Saturday and Monday.

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“I assume it will be good competition, but I’m just focused on myself,” Serhyenko said. “Just doing the best I can, learning, and having a good experience here… I’m excited to work with some different goalie coaches, have some different voices and see what they say and try to take something from all of them.”

Serhyenko is one of several Raiders to have recently earned an invite to a rookie camp, joining Reece Vitelli (Arizona) and Landon Kosior (Los Angeles) as undrafted players having earned a chance to show their skills in front of an NHL team. Upon his return from Kings’ rookie camp, Kosior spoke of an increased confidence, and Serhyenko may well find the same.

“I’ve been feeling really good lately in general, so I’d say I’m pretty confident right now,” Serhyenko said. “But I think this will give me a boost heading into the season.”

Serhyenko added he’s not yet sure what a good performance at the camp would mean in terms of a spot at the Flames’ main camp, but he’s going to focus on his own performance and try to have the best showing possible.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP