Flyers’ Vladar shows interest in time with Flames

PHILADELPHIA — Dean Vlader wanted to stay a Calgary Flame and had every intention of doing so.

After the NHL’s suspension to shut down the 4 Nations, he began to realize that if he was ever going to get a shot at being a starting netminder in the NHL, it wasn’t going to happen in Calgary.

“After the break, when I didn’t get anything, I knew,” the 28-year-old netminder said from his New Jersey home.

“I was really focused on staying, and felt that it was a great place because of my teammates and friends and Barbs (goalie coach Jason LaBarbera), who did an incredible job to get me this far.

“I think I made it clear that I really wanted to stay, but as the year went by, I didn’t feel like it was the right thing for me.”

Vladar opened last season by protecting Dustin Wolff from the roughest of starts, splitting the crease as part of an open competitive debut.

This allowed Wolff to continue building enough confidence that by the end of February, a 50-50 split between the two had turned into a string, with Wolff starting 20 of 27 games, putting the club in contention for a playoff spot.

The organization had all but officially named the then-23-year-old Wolf as the team’s franchise goaltender.

“I know my partner is here,” Vlader said at his last media availability in Calgary.

“Wolf, I think he’s going to be a legend one day.”

Forever grateful to the organization for getting him out of Boston and developing him into the player he is today, he insists there are no hard feelings.

“That’s the world of hockey, that’s the way it works,” Vlader said.

“I’m not crazy or anything, I’ve had four great years, and I still have friends for the rest of my life. I want nothing but success for the city and the entire organization.”

“I miss my friends, the Barbs and the culture there. Calgary people are close to the team, and they really love hockey there. I’ll always miss it because there’s nothing bigger than hockey in Calgary.”

At age 27, he felt he owed it to himself to find a place where he would have a better chance to challenge for a starter’s job somewhere.

He just didn’t know where.

When free agency opened on July 1, his answer came quickly.

“I think there were seven or eight teams interested, but once Philly came it was really easy for me,” Vladar said.

“I did some research, and as soon as I heard they were interested, I knew I would love to come here.”

Signing a two-year contract for $3.35 AAV, he immediately became the Flyers’ highest-paid goalie, ahead of 26-year-old Samuel Erson, who is in the final year of a contract paying him $1.45 million.

There was no promise that the starter job would be an open audition, but he knew he would get a fair shake.

“I didn’t talk to the team, but I just kind of knew that the opportunity was going to be bigger in Calgary,” said Vlader, who has opened his time with the Flyers in impressive fashion, sitting among the league leaders with a 2.11 GAA and .924 save percentage.

“I wouldn’t say I’m playing the best hockey of my life, but obviously I’m feeling good, we’re playing really well as a team, and the coaches are doing a really good job, which puts a really good mood in the locker room.”

“Obviously, new team, new challenges, but from day one, everyone has been nothing but great to me. It’s been a blast for me.

Vladar’s start has been so good, he has forced himself into the Olympic conversation in Chichia, where a talented crew including Vitek Vencic, Karel Wijmilka, Lukas Dostil, Jacob Dobbs and Petr Mirzak will also be fighting for a spot.

“It would be a dream come true for me,” said Vladar, one of 50 players who attended his country’s summer hockey meet after the worlds.

“But at the same time, I know the competition is very good.”

The competition is something Vladar is comfortable with, given the history of open warfare between him and Wolff last season.

“It was big for me going into this season, that I was in the same situation last year, so I already knew what it was like,” he said.

“I was a year older and a year wiser going into the year.

“It’s been a long year, and Sam has been good to me, and I understand how people and the organization are treating me.”

Vladar was expected to get the start against Calgary Sunday in Philadelphia, but with the team back-to-back weekends, the preference was to start him against the Leafs.

His fingers are crossed he will be tapped to start on New Year’s Eve when his Flyers visit Calgary.

“I got to spend four years there, so I have a lot of good and funny memories with the guys,” said the immortal netminder, citing a list of eight Flames players he still keeps in touch with.

“It was hard for me to go, but I think every single person that texted me when I signed on July 1st, and they wished me luck, and that meant a lot to me.

“I miss being there, but life had to go on.”