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Calgary Flames prospect Lucas Ciona believes he has a lot to learn from his old friend and teammate Matt Lempe.
The two played together in several different games as juniors, playing in the AJHL with the Spruce Grove Saints and then in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
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Indeed, they are completely different players.
And Siona looks at the New York Rangers’ huge forward and doesn’t think he should emulate the hard-hitting, glove-dropping style that Rempe brings to the ice.
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But there are also lessons he learned from Lempe’s journey.
“It’s taking away your identity,” the Calgary Wranglers forward explained. “That’s the biggest thing about transitioning to professional hockey. You have to know your identity and use your identity to your advantage.
“So for him, his identity is to be big and hard on the forecheck and stand up for everybody and always stand up for yourself and move the team forward. You can get something out of him. The most skilled guy on the ice has to find his identity and use it to his advantage. yeah.”
Siona and Rempe briefly played together in the AJHL with the Saints during the 2018-19 season, then spent the next few seasons with the Thunderbirds, which were suspended due to the coronavirus.
They are good friends and Ciona says they plan to meet this summer once the pro season is over.
For Rempe, that may be a while away. As of Saturday morning, the Rangers have the most points in the NHL and are poised for a deep spot in the playoffs.
The 21-year-old Calgary man has become a folk hero in New York, and his star power appears to extend far beyond the traditional hockey bubble. He was the catalyst for a line brawl between the Rangers and New Jersey Devils a few weeks ago that was viewed millions of times on YouTube. His old-school attitude of fighting anyone, anywhere is a throwback to the past.
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And that’s not at all surprising for Siona.
“That guy is working. I remember getting to the rink early and he was already there, getting on the boxing bag and boxing with one of the coaches.” Siona said. “He just has a work ethic and is just getting better every day. It’s not surprising at all that he does that.
“It’s great, he’s a good friend of mine and we used to hang out together a lot. He’s a very good guy and he’s worked hard and worked really hard to get to where he is. To do that and be successful is not the everyday path that everyone else has taken. He’s doing it differently, and it’s incredible to watch.”
Siona is still finding his way professionally, and his first year had some stops and starts. Of course, that also applies to many hockey players who have had great careers. Just like when a male player makes the jump to the NHL, there is a learning curve from junior to the AHL.
This season, Siona has played in 55 games and has recorded four goals and two assists.
He wants more and is eager to accept the struggle it takes to get there.
“It was definitely difficult,” Siona said. “There have been a lot of ups and downs, but I feel like I’m just trying to get better every day, coming to work with a good attitude and working to get better.
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“I knew I was coming in, so I felt like I had to work for it. It’s not a surprise, and I wasn’t surprised by it all year, but day by day. It’s getting better every day. All you can do is have a good attitude about it and go out there and work.”
One day, Ciona will follow in Rempe’s footsteps and help establish herself as an everyday NHL player.
He saw the effort Lempe put in to get there and was determined to do the same.
He has no intention of hanging up his gloves against some of the NHL’s toughest fighters. At least that’s not the plan.
But was it always Lempe’s game? Siona probably knows more than anyone.
“Yeah, but he’s 6-foot-9, 260 (pounds). Nobody wants to touch him when he’s in the WHL,” said Ciona, who is listed at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. A few years ago, when he ran through a couple of guys or ran through a goalie. He was always that kind of guy, but not everyone followed him. Now he has free rein to do whatever he wants. ”
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