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Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames sign 2014 second round draft selections Mason McDonald, Hunter Smith

They took 'em, of course they want 'em. Now two more of the Flames' prospects have been inked.

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It’s never enough to just draft a prospect: you have to sign him, too. The Calgary Flames have taken care of that business in relation to two of their draft picks: second round selections from 2014, Mason McDonald (34th overall) and Hunter Smith (54th overall).

Of the Flames’ six selections from the 2014 NHL entry draft, just two remain unsigned: Brandon Hickey, who cannot sign as long as he plays for Boston University in the NCAA; and Adam Ollas Mattsson, who is still playing in Sweden. Austin Carroll was signed earlier, and Sam Bennett, of course, has already played games for the Flames.

McDonald, 19, is the Flames’ only goalie prospect beyond Joni Ortio and Jon Gillies. He backstopped the Charlottetown Islanders for 56 games last season, posting a .906 SV% along the way. He also played three games for them in the playoffs, posting a less-than-stellar .879 SV% before the Islanders were swept in four. Still, he has been invited to Team Canada’s U20 summer camp, where he’ll be able to start making a good case to put him on the Canadian World Junior team.

Smith, who will be 20 to start next season, wore a letter for the Memorial Cup-winning Oshawa Generals. The 6'6, 210 lb. right winger scored just one goal over four Memorial Cup games, but did see a rise of offence during the regular season. He went from 40 points over 64 regular season games in his draft year to 49 in 57 over his draft+1 – including 23 goals – for a marginal increase. And while he didn't score too much in the Memorial Cup, he did help the Generals to the OHL championship, scoring nine goals and 18 points over 21 games.

This is business as usual, but now, the Flames have two more contracts on their books, and two more prospects locked up.

by Ari Yanover