With training camp starting September 11, Chatham native T.J. Brodie says he’s enjoyed the down time back home in Chatham, but admits he’s eager to get back to Calgary.

The Flames defenseman says there’s always a lot riding on training camp, so he’s preparing both physically and mentally. “Even through the summer when you’re skating, you know it’s not too serious because guys don’t want to get hurt,” he says. “When you go to camp and guys starting hitting and playing that aspect of the game, it’s just something that you have to be mentally prepared for.”

Brodie says another challenge is impressing Flames General Manager Brad Treliving, who joined the team in April. “You never know what could happen. You know, sometimes guys go in and they expected to play you know, lower minutes and they end up playing a lot. You know a lot of it’s based off of how their camp goes.”

Brodie had four goals last season for the Flames and 27 assists.