Flames Top 25 Under 25: #22 - Colton Poolman

#22 - Colton Poolman

Position: Defence

Age: 24

2019-20 Team: University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Signed March 20 2020

Last Year Ranking: N/A

Poolman Votes

• MGMacGillivray: #24
• Flashalytics: #25
• MarkParkinson14: #23
• MadelineCampell: N/A
• Gordie.Taylor: #20
• Readers: #17

Poolman becomes the first debut on the Top 25 list this season. Signed 9 days after the 2019-20 regular season was paused and ultimately cancelled, Poolman and Connor Mackey joined the Flames at the start of NCAA free agency. The soon-to-be-25-year-old signed at the conclusion of a 4 year career at the University of North Dakota, where he amassed 18 goals and 75 points in 146 games. He was named the captain of the Fighting Hawks for his senior and final season in 2019-20.

Being a left shot Poolman has a low chance of legitimately pushing for a roster spot, but his style of play makes him a solid contender to play on a defensive third pairing if needed. However, as with Mackey, Calgary only handed out a one-year deal. To me, this heavily implies Poolman is seen as close to NHL ready, and needs to prove himself right away in the pro ranks to earn another contract.

COVID-19 is going to drastically affect the coming AHL season whenever that may be, and Poolman will need to make every one of his chances count this season.

He joins a wave of older defensive prospects ready to test North American pro hockey for the first time, along with Johannes Kinnvall, Carl-Johan Lerby, and the aforementioned Mackey. While all three of them are more offensively inclined, Poolman is a defensive defenceman.