Nation Sites
The Nation Network
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
FlamesNation chats with Mark Jankowski

FlamesNation’s roving reporter Ryan Pike has been down at development camp all week, checking out the next wave of future Flames. He had the chance to chat with 2012 first round pick Mark Jankowski about the camp, the draft and his future.
Ryan Pike: Considering where you were ranked by a lot of scouting services, were you flattered that the Flames took you as high in the first round (21st overall) as you went and went after you so hard?
Mark Jankowski: Yeah, definitely. The Flames, their GM and their whole organization, they really had that confidence in me, so that gives me some confidence, too. They really believe that I can be a great player down the road, and I know that, so I’m really happy that they’re the ones that picked me and they have that confidence in me.
RP: Have you thought about where you’re going to play next season or what you’ll take when you eventually get to college?
MJ: I’m still weighing that decision a little bit. I’m leaning towards Dubuque in the USHL, but I’m still not exactly sure of the decision yet. When I go to school I’ll probably take some sort of business, I haven’t picked my decision yet but that’s probably what I’m going to do.
RP: With so many veterans of both the USHL and NCAA at this camp, have you talked to many of them about what to expect in the two leagues?
MJ: Tim Schaller’s my roommate and he’s the captain at Providence. I really talk to him a lot about what Providence is like when I’m lodging with him. Also Jon Gillies the goalie, he’s going to Providence and he was telling me what the USHL is like. I’ve really got it from both perspectives, USHL and college. I’m really fortunate to have these guys here to talk to.
RP: Do you feel any added pressure to perform now that you’re a first round draft pick?
MJ: I really don’t try to listen to my name in media at all. I don’t really try to pay attention to that. But people are Tweeting at me, saying ‘Welcome to the Flames’ and it’s just a great feeling. It’s a great organization, great fans, and I’m really excited to be in Calgary.
Breaking News
- Flames Game Day 36: A visit from the Golden Knights (8pm MT, SN/CBC/City)
- The Flames have made some progress in 2025-26, despite some tough results
- Recap: No Christmas miracle for the Wranglers in overtime against Matthew Phillips
- What version of Jonathan Huberdeau are the Flames seeing this season?
- Wranglers series preview: Winter Wranglerfest weekend to tee up Christmas break
