Henry traded to Flames
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
A former UFA Bison standout is joining the organization he grew up watching as a youngster.
Jordan Henry, who toiled with the local triple-A midget team in 2002-2003, was officially traded to the Calgary Flames July 9 and immediately signed to a two-way contract. In return, the Flames sent defenceman Keith Seabrook to the Florida Panthers.
“Being from Southern Alberta and everything, it’s definitely exciting and a thrill to be with an organization I grew up watching,” said the 25-year-old. “Most people I know are Flames fans … (so) it’s something special to be part of now.”
After a successful season with the Bisons, Henry played five seasons in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Red Deer Rebels.
After completing his junior career, Henry signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers and split his first professional year between the Florida Everblades (ECHL) and Rochester Americans (AHL). During his final campaign with Rochester (2009-10) he recorded 31 points and accumulated 104 penalty minutes in 76 games. Following three seasons in the AHL, Henry signed with Minsk Dynamo of the KHL for the 2010-11 season.
However, Henry sees an opportunity to advance his career in the Flames organization.
“You saw (early on) in free agency that Florida went out and signed a bunch of guys right away because they have money they have to spend (to reach the salary cap floor),” said Henry. “Calgary is a little tighter to the salary cap, but yet there are a couple of spots open. So that’s where the competition between younger guys like myself starts. There are probably four or five guys (fighting) for one or two spots on the backend, so I’ll definitely be right in that mix.
“It’s a matter of playing my game and playing well enough to secure one of those spots.”
Calgary General Manager Jay Feaster sees Henry as a valuable piece to the Flames organization.
“Jordan Henry is a two-way defenseman who plays with an edge to his game,” said Feaster. “He is a responsible and smart defender, yet he is also adept at joining the rush and pinching down the wall to support the offense. He is still a solid prospect and we viewed this trade as an opportunity to give two young players a new start with different organizations. We look forward to seeing Jordan compete with our other recent depth acquisitions for a spot in our top seven in camp.”
Regardless of where he plays next season, either in the NHL with the Flames or in the AHL with the Abbotsford Heat, Henry is much closer to his parents, who live in the Strathmore area.
“I know my parents were happy about (the trade) as well,” laughed Henry. “They only got to come over to Russia for a week, so they should be able to catch a few more games. Even if the worst case scenario, I end up in Abbotsford and that’s just a quick flight out.”
According to Henry, it would be the first time since toiling for the UFA Bisons that his parents would be able to watch his games with regularity.
“Obviously it was a special experience for sure, to play at a high level,” recalled Henry of his days with the herd. “We had a very good team that year and we had a good run at it.
“Just to be there – to play at that level, at that age – is definitely a key in my development. I got to play some pretty big minutes there, so it was definitely a stepping stone to the next level.”