Martin Frk brings big shot, but where does he fit with Flames?

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Martin Frk has a spot in the hockey history books.

He’s hoping this fall to make a case for a spot with the Calgary Flames — or to at least put himself near the top of the list of could-be call-up candidates.

The 30-year-old right-winger signed a two-way contract with the Flames earlier this month, the exact landing spot he had in mind after skating last season in the Swiss League.

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While Frk is originally from the Czech Republic, this is a happy homecoming for his wife Kennedy, who grew up in the Springbank area.

“It’s definitely special,” Frk said. “My wife is from Calgary, so that makes it even a little more sweeter. All her family is here, so this is the best location for us. It’s something that we wanted to be here, or at least be on the west side. Last year, I went to Europe and I really wanted to come back and to be playing somewhere in North America, and I got really lucky to be with the Flames.

“Whatever I can do to make either the Flames or Wranglers better, you know, I’m just really grateful for the opportunity to be here.”

Frk has totalled 124 appearances at the NHL level, including stints with the Carolina Hurricanes (2 GP), Detroit Red Wings (98 GP) and Los Angeles Kings (24 GP).

If the name rings a bell, though, it’s probably because this dude can hammer a hockey puck like nobody else on the planet. His arrival is not good news for whichever netminders will be facing him daily in practice.

During the skills competition at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, Frk uncorked a slapper that was clocked at 109.2 miles per hour, the hardest shot ever recorded. With that blast, he shattered a record that previously belonged to Zdeno Chara.

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“It is special,“ said Frk, who has scored 20 career goals in ‘The Show’ and 167 more in AHL action, when asked about that historic howitzer. “It’s good memories to have and I hope it’s going to stay for a while. But if someone breaks it, I’m going to be excited for them and to see where we can actually end up. With how the technology goes and how everyone can shoot the puck, it can potentially be ever faster. Hopefully it’s going to take a while, but I’m happy for now that I still have it. I can kind of tap on my back and say, ‘Yeah, I’m still the No. 1,’ I guess.

“I just try to use it my shot much as I can when I play,” he continued. “But now, with the hockey today, there is not much time to do those big wind-ups so you have to use different kinds of shots to somehow surprise the goalie. The game just gets so much faster now, so you have to do different things to put the puck in the net. It’s not just about the big shot. But obviously, I’m really happy I have that and I still hold that record.”

So does this new guy have a shot of suiting up this season in the Flaming C?

It would certainly be a surprise if he’s in the opening-night lineup, but general manager Craig Conroy has repeatedly stressed that he won’t rush any of the up-and-comers. If the kids aren’t ready for primetime, Frk would be a candidate for a cameo with the big club.

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It’s also worth noting that a couple guys of who are expected to be regulars on the right wing — namely, Andrei Kuzmenko and Anthony Mantha — could be shopped in the lead-up to the trade deadline. In that case, reinforcements may be needed.

If Frk winds up with the Wranglers, he should be able to provide some scoring pop for the farm team. He’s averaged 1.05 points per game across his past five AHL campaigns and will be anxious to redeem himself after an underwhelming season in Switzerland, where he scored just seven goals and received a six-game suspension for a kicking incident.

Even more important in the grand scheme of the Flames’ future plans, he’ll aim to be a positive role model for the young whippersnappers. Sam Honzek, for example, should be able to learn a lot from a guy who has more than a decade of pro hockey experience and owns multiple championship rings. (Frk won a Memorial Cup with the Halifax Mooseheads in 2013 — that stacked roster also featured Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and MacKenzie Weegar — and helped the Grand Rapids Griffins to a Calder Cup crown in 2017.)

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“It’s not easy at my age to try to make the team, right?” Frk said, acknowledging that he’ll be in tough at training camp at the Saddledome. “Obviously, with the prospects and the signings, I have to look at it that way. I know it’s going to be challenging. But if I can make either team somehow better with my shot and hopefully put some pucks in the net, that’s always a good time.

“And just be a good pro, too. If I’m with the Wranglers, then help the younger guys and try to show them the way and help them to try to get to their dream, to play for the big club. If there is any way that I can help, I’m really happy to do it. Overall, just be a good teammate and play some good hockey here.”

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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