December Prospect Check-in

It’s been a positive few weeks for the Flames with regards to their prospect development. Most notably, the team sent three prospects to the World Juniors tournament, but there was also solid growth down in the lower leagues. Make sure you read our October and November’s check-ins.

World Junior's summary:

As mentioned, the Flames did send three players to the prestigious tournament, with Brandon Hickey and Mason McDonald going for Canada, and Adam Ollas Mattsson appearing for Sweden. Of course, we all know it was a disappointing tournament for Canada, only beating lowly Denmark and Switzerland (in a shootout), and sputtering out in the quarterfinals to Finland. Sweden made it slightly farther, also being eliminated from the gold medal game by the Finns.

Brandon Hickey

Hickey was certainly overshadowed by Joe Hicketts and Thomas Chabot, and not as visible as other Team Canada defenders, but was still contributing. He racked up six shots on goal without any points, and was solid defensively throughout the tournament. Maybe not so much against the Americans, but he was often matched up against Auston Matthews, which is a tough ask for any young defender. Hickey didn’t always look as good as his peers, but he’s certainly made his case for cracking the top pairing on next year’s roster.

Mason McDonald

The Charlottetown keeper started Canada's first two games, looking shaky in each. The game against the USA certainly fell apart at the end, but McDonald wasn't looking great all game. Four goals on 26 shots is concerning. I'm less concerned about his game against the Swiss where he allowed one goal on ten shots, considering that happens to Canada at least once per major tournament (all hail Kristers Gudlevskis, Latvian God).

Adam Ollas-Mattsson

The Swedish sixth rounder surprised many just by being selected, but his performances were impressive until his injury late in the tournament. The big bodied defender was the only Flames prospect to put up points, with a goal and an assist. As advertised, Ollas-Mattsson is mostly defensive minded, shutting down offence rather than providing it. I don't believe that he'll be a feature in the NHL someday, but his physical play will surely impress some.

Now, onto the stats!

Stockton Heat

The Heat had an interesting December. They played in the AHL's first outdoor game (which was rained out on its first go), and made steady improvements, but are still dead last in the Pacific. You can read all of Ed's Stockton coverage here.

Brief read-up on NHLe is available here. Translation factors have changed since. AHL translation factor is 0.48.

Promising

Concerning

CHL

OHL translation factor is 0.33, while QMJHL and WHL is 0.27

Promising

Concerning

NCAA

NCAA translation factors are here. DeBlouw plays in the Big Ten, Harrison in the ECAC, and Jankowski, Gilmour, and Hickey in the Hockey East

Promising

Concerning

Europe

SHL translation factor is .53, KHL is .83.

Goaltenders

Promising

Concerning

Prospect of the month

Let's give it to Derek Grant, who is certainly playing beyond expectation, and above the AHL level. While there really isn't any room for him up in Calgary, I expect to see him stick with the team in the future.

Thanks for tuning in again!

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