Flames Top 25 Under 25: #13- Glenn Gawdin

#12- Glenn Gawdin

Position: Centre

Age: 23

2019-20 Team: Stockton Heat (AHL)

Signed as a Free Agent November 16, 2017

2019 Ranking: #15

Gawdin Votes

MGMacGillivray: #10

Flashalytics: #20

MarkParkinson14: #11

MadelineCampbell: #18

Gordie.Taylor: #12

Readers: #9

At the start of the off-season, it looked like an open spot would be available for Gawdin’s taking in the bottom six. After the signings of Josh Leivo, Dominik Simon, and Joakim Nordstrom, it’s much more evident that he’ll have to work hard to play his first NHL game.

His dedication is evident. Fresh off being re-signed to a one-year contract as an RFA, Gawdin was loaned by the Flames to EHC Visp of the Swiss hockey league to get some extra hockey in before the NHL season begins. However, he has reportedly left the team after playing a single game to rejoin the Flames in North America for the impending opening of training camp.

Unlike many junior players who rack up huge numbers in the CHL and then fall flat in the pro ranks, Gawdin has successfully translated his game to the AHL. Putting up an eye-popping 125 points in 2017-18 as an over-ager in the WHL (which earned him his Flames contract), he tied for second in rookie points with 38 for the Stockton Heat in 2018-19.

2019-20 was huge for him. He lead the Heat in points with 47 in 53 games, and earned his first NHL call-up. While he didn’t play, he was still invited to the Return to Play training camp, but was ultimately left off the bubble roster.

Gawdin has several factors working in his favour in order to earn a roster spot. Firstly, his low cap hit is crucial for a team pressed right against the cap ceiling. Secondly, he’s a right hand shot forward who can play centre or the wing. His size also helps make him a candidate to fill in a bottom six role on a team starved of right shots up front.