Calgary Flames CHL Prospect Update

As we complete the first week of the NHL’s regular season, CHL action has already been under way for quite a while and we’ll take a look at how some of the Calgary Flames prospects have done so far this season.

WHL

RW Matthew Phillips – Victoria Royals (7-0-1)

The Victoria Royals have been outstanding to start the season, going 7-0-1 and were recently named the top team in the entire CHL in yesterday’s rankings. Matthew Phillips has been a big part of that, racking up 19 points in 8 games which is crazy. Last year he had 90 points in 70 games, this year he should easily eclipse that amount. Not bad for a prospect that was selected in the 6th round using the pick Calgary acquired for David Jones.

C Dillon Dube – Kelowna Rockets (4-1-1)

After making a noticeable impact at Flames training camp this past September, Dube continued his strong play putting up nine points in four games for the Rockets. Dube has shown a lot of versatility in his career, and this season could be one where he really takes off after missing a chunk of last year with injury.

RW Zach Fischer – Medicine Hat Tigers (4-3-0)

Fischer played three games with the Tigers this season after making an impact at Flames development camp. A few days ago Fischer chose to leave the Tigers to come to Calgary to work on some personal issues after saying he wasn’t in a good space. Hopefully the Flames can work with him to overcome any problems he’s having.

G Nick Schneider – Calgary Hitmen (2-5-1)

Schneider has struggled early this year in his first season with the Hitmen after being traded from Medicine Hat in the offseason. Albeit coming on a not-so-good Hitmen team. Schneider has shown some flashes over the last few seasons, but at this point looks to be pretty far down the depth charts with the wealth of other goaltending prospects the Flames have.

D Juuso Valimaki – Tri-City Americans (4-4-0)

Juuso Valimaki got back late to the Americans after the beginning of the regular season because the Flames chose to keep him around at training camp. He’s been battling an illness lately, missing the last two games. The Americans are 3-1 when he’s in the lineup and 1-3 when he’s not, needless to say he plays a big part for that team.

OHL

C Adam Ruzicka – Sarnia Sting (6-1-0-0)

The Sarnia Sting are currently ranked 8th in the CHL and a big reason for that has been the play of Adam Ruzicka so far. Ruzicka is tied for 2nd in points in the OHL with 12 in 7 games. Ruzicka was the runner-up for player of the week in the OHL this past week after scoring four goals and five points in two games.

QMJHL

RW D’Artagnan Joly – Baie-Commeau Drakkar (3-4-0-0)

Joly has yet to play for Baie-Commeau this season after suffering an injury prior to Flames camp in Penticton. Hopefully he can get into the lineup soon.

That’s it for Canadian Hockey League prospects for now, we’ll likely have another update in a few weeks!

by Michael MacGillivray