T-Birds training camp: Goalie Taz Burman wants to earn playing time

KENT – It was only a few weeks ago that goalie Taz Burman was getting ready for his third season with the Red Deer Rebels. Then he got the call that he had been traded and suddenly found himself in training camp with Seattle.

“At first it’s a bit weird to get traded,” Burman said after practice on Friday. “I’ve had a few days to meet the guys and get on the ice so I think now it’s turned back into hockey and not too much of an adjustment phase.”

Burman arrives to help backstop a team that has some lofty goals in this coming season. He hasn’t been named the No. 1 goalie yet and is competing with Logan Flodell for ice time. Both goalies are 18 years old and both have a lot of potential to be a No. 1 guy, and after being a backup for two seasons, Burman is happy to have a chance to win the first spot.

“It’s exciting because I want to play, like anyone,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity, I don’t expect it to be given to me but it’s exciting to get that chance.”

He’s off to a great start so far and has not allowed a goal in the three scrimmages that he has taken part in. It’s too early to say that he has an edge or a lead, however, as Flodell has also played well in camp.

Both guys know that the decision will probably not come until after the preseason and will most likely depend on who is playing the best. Burman had not met Flodell before the trade but feels that they will get along fine and be supportive of each other.

“He seems like a really good guy,” Burman said of Flodell. “Like everything it depends on play – if you play well you get to play, if you don’t, you don’t. I’ve just got to go out there and earn every minute I get and Logan’s a great guy and I think we’ll have a great relationship.”

Burman grew up in Vancouver so a trade to Seattle makes it easier for him to see his family – and for them to get to games. That part of the trade has him excited as does the team he’ll be playing behind.

Red Deer is the host team for this year’s Memorial Cup and as such gets an automatic bid. Burman now has lost the guarantee that he’ll get to play in the tournament but would like nothing more than to come back to Red Deer with the T-Birds.

“I think we have a great team and everyone’s goal is to get to that Memorial Cup,” he said. “We have a lot of things we need to focus on before we get there but I think that’s the eventual goal. It’s an exciting year.”

Coming to a new team and new city is always an adjustment, no matter the sport or age of the player. Burman said that he’s adjusted well and doesn’t think he needs to alter his routine at all. He’ll work with the Seattle coaches to continue to improve his game, and he said there is one aspect of his play that he’d like to improve this year.

“The biggest thing from last year is being consistent,” he said. “I’d have a real good game but then drop off a bit so I think I showed I can do it, now just to do it consistently. Not just in games but in practice as well, bringing that same work ethic every day.”

Burman will be in action on Saturday evening for the annual T-Birds’ Blue-White Game at the ShoWare Center. Faceoff is at 5:30 p.m. and the game is free to the public.

Here are some other training camp notes:

Barzal in midseason form

Mathew Barzal looks ready to go. He put on a display of puck handling and passing Friday during scrimmages that showed off his elite skill. Often he would draw three and sometimes four defensemen whenever he had the puck. With Ryan Gropp and Keegan Kolesar still out with minor injuries, Barzal was playing with a mix of linemates on Friday. Despite that his line was still dangerous and Barzal himself ended up scoring multiple goals.

Controversy in the morning

There was a controversial and heated end to the last scrimmage of the morning session on Friday. With the score tied, the two teams played a shortened three-on-three overtime period. Instead of power plays, the players would be awarded a penalty shot after a penalty, which is precisely what happened after Jamal Watson took Barzal down in front of the Blue Team’s net. Barzal scored easily on the ensuing penalty shot but coming off the ice Watson was not happy with the call, something he was vocal about. Despite it just being a practice, the players wanted to win each time they are on the ice, which says something about the team’s level of competition.

Watson scored goal of the camp

There have been a lot of pretty goals scored during the scrimmages but Watson potted the best one Friday evening. Nolan Volcan flipped the puck into the attacking zone where Watson picked it out of mid-air with his stick. He turned on the jets and walked in on the goal all alone, then made one nice deke and beat the goalie with a great back hand shot. The Watson-Scott Eansor-Volcan line was strong again on Friday and is going to be a fun line to watch moving forward. All three players are fast, play hard and already seem to have formed a great chemistry.

Khaira finishes strong

Defenseman Sahvan Khaira had another good day of camp. His best came in the day’s final scrimmage where he had a goal and two assists. He continues to look faster and confident. Playing defense in the WHL at 16 years old is a tough chore and Khaira showed his age at times last year. Now a year older he looks more sure of himself and makes quick and solid plays in his own end. Friday he showed that he has an offensive game as well, making some good rushes and even scoring.

Follow Andy Eide on Twitter @andyeide.

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