Jooris scores twice in preseason win (w/ videos)

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Josh Jooris made a convincing case to stick with the Calgary Flames Thursday, scoring two goals to help lead the Flames to a 4-2 preseason win over the Winnipeg Jets.

Jooris' first goal broke a 1-1 tie at 4:03 of the third period. He took a pass from former Boston College star Johnny Gaudreau and then skated to the net and beat Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson through the five-hole.

His second tally at 9:05 of the third extended Calgary's lead to 4-1. Jooris was in the low slot when he took a Sam Bennett feed from behind the net and blasted the puck past Hutchinson. The goals were his first two of the preseason.

Jooris in a recent preseason game
photo: Calgary Sun

In his 15:23 of ice time, Jooris added two hits, a blocked shot and a takeaway. On the downside, he picked up tripping penalty (which didn't lead to a Jets goal) and had one giveaway. But overall, it was another strong performance for the 24-year-old that has been turning heads in his second training camp.

Jooris, who gave up his senior season at Union when he signed with the Flames in July 2013, credited his play to having more confidence than last season. He was cut from training camp in September last year and spent the entire season in the AHL, where he collected 11 goals and 16 assists in 72 games with the Abbotsford Heat.

“Overall, I’m just more confident, more confident in the system and the organization,” said Jooris. “I know names and I’m familiar with a lot of guys now. I’m really just jelling and getting to know all the players. That makes it easier to learn stuff off the ice and knowing stuff off the ice translates to on the ice.”

Flames head coach Bob Hartley sees a different version of Jooris this season.

“Different guy,” Hartley said. “Fifty pounds of dynamite in his body. He has confidence. He tasted it last year. Now, he wants more. He wants more and I think that he’s buzzing. That’s what I like. He’s playing with passion. There’s sparks in his eyes. He’s not the biggest guy but he’s there. You notice him out there and that’s the kind of player that we’re looking for.”

Jooris, who was considered a long shot to make the team at the start of camp, knows he has to keep battling if he wants to break camp with the Flames.

"The slogan, they mean it here. 'Always earned, never given," he said. "I just have to keep going out there and earning the ice and earning a spot on this team."

Jooris has one more game to impress the Flames' brass before the regular season gets underway. The Flames close out the preseason on Saturday at Winnipeg.

The Flames training camp roster currently stands at 33 after seven players were re-assigned on Wednesday. The roster needs to be sliced to 23 by 5 p.m. EST on Oct. 7.

The Flames open the regular season Oct. 8 at home against Vancouver.

Jooris' first goal of the night


Jooris' second goal of the night



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