Calgary Flames prospect Lucas Ciona thinks there’s a lot to learn from his old friend and teammate, Matt Rempe.
The two played together on a couple different stops in junior, both in the AJHL with the Spruce Grove Saints and then with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL.
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They’re very different players, to be sure.
And when Ciona looks at the enormous New York Rangers forward, it’s not as if he thinks he should try to replicate the hard-hitting, drop-the-gloves-with-anybody style that Rempe brings to the ice.
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But there are lessons he’s learned from Rempe’s journey.
“It’s taking your identity,” the Calgary Wranglers forward explained. “That’s the biggest thing about making the move to pro hockey. You’ve got to know your identity and you’ve got to come in and use your identity to your advantage.
“I mean, for him, his identity is he’s going to be big and hard on the forecheck and he’s going to stand up for anybody and stand up for himself at all times and get his team going. So 100%, everybody can take something from him. The most skilled guy on the ice can take something from him. You’ve got to find your identity and use it to your advantage.”
Ciona and Rempe first played together briefly in the AJHL with the Saints back in 2018-19 and then spent the next couple of COVID-interrupted seasons with the Thunderbirds.
They’re good friends and Ciona says they’ve got plans to meet up this summer once their pro seasons are out of the way.
That might be a while away for Rempe, whose Rangers had the most points in the NHL as of Saturday morning and are primed for a deep run in the playoffs.
The 21-year-old Calgarian has become a folk hero in New York whose star power seems to have transcended well 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 has been viewed millions of times on YouTube. His old-school willingness to fight anyone, anywhere is a throwback to the days of yore.
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And it’s absolutely no surprise for Ciona.
“That guy works, I remember getting to the rink early and he’d already be there on the boxing bag or boxing with one of our coaches,” Ciona said. “He just has a work ethic and he’s just been getting better every day, for him to do that is no surprise at all.
“It’s awesome, he’s a good buddy of mine, we played a lot together. Super good dude and he’s worked his a– off, he’s worked really hard to get to where he is. For him to do that and have the success he’s having, it’s not the everyday route that everybody else has taken. He’s doing it a different fashion, but it’s incredible to watch.”
Ciona is still finding his way as a pro and his first year has had some stops and starts. That’s true of a lot of hockey players who went on to have great careers, of course. There’s a learning curve going from junior to the AHL, just like there is when guys make the jump to the NHL.
In 55 games this season, Ciona has four goals and two assists.
He wants more and is intent on embracing the grind that’s required to get there.
“It’s been challenging, that’s for sure,” Ciona said. “There’s been a lot of highs and lows and it’s kind of just working on getting better every day and bring a good attitude to work and get better.
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“I knew I was going to come in and kind of have to grind and work for it. It’s no surprise and I haven’t been surprised by it all year, but it’s just getting better every day. All you can do is have a good attitude about it and show up and work.”
One day, Ciona helps to follow in Rempe’s footsteps and establish himself as an everyday NHL player.
He saw the work that Rempe put in to get there and is determined to do the same.
He won’t be dropping the gloves with the NHL’s toughest fighters. At least that’s not the plan.
But was that always Rempe’s game? Ciona would know better than most.
“Oh yeah, but he’s 6-foot-9, 260 (Ib.) Nobody wants to touch him when you’re in the WHL,” said Ciona, who’s listed at 6-foot-2, 220 lb. “He had a couple a years when he ran through a couple guys or ran through a goalie. He was always that guy, but not everybody would go him. Now, he’s got free rein to do whatever.”
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CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
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