Tyler Wotherspoon left the Saddledome with a challenge.
Just as important, the Calgary Flames’ defensive prospect departed without his shoulder in a sling.
“This summer is big for me, especially having a full off-season to train healthy. That’s huge,” the 22-year-old Wotherspoon said after Tuesday’s season-ending exit meetings with the Flames’ brass. “They said, ‘Have a great mindset coming into camp. Have a confident attitude to come in and really make a statement and take a job.’
“So that’s what I’m going to plan for and work really hard this summer to achieve.”
With an impressive 14-game audition late in the 2013-14 campaign, Wotherspoon sparked optimism he might be ready to claim a full-time job with the Flames this season.