2021 Flames Top 25 Under 25: #10 – Matthew Coronato

#10 – Matthew Coronato

Position: Left Wing/Right Wing

Age: 18

2020-21 Team: Chicago Steel (USHL)

Stats: 48 Goals, 37 Assists, 85 Points in 51 Games

Drafted in 2021, Round 1, Pick 13

2020 Ranking: N/A

Cracking the top ten in his first year of eligibility is the Calgary Flames 2021 first round pick in Matthew Coronato! Coronato joins the Flames franchise coming off an impressive USHL season with the Chicago Steel where he compiled 57 goals and 98 total points over 59 regular season and playoff games. To say he dominated the USHL is to put things lightly as his 48 goal regular season easily won the league goal scoring title, with the next closest player having just 32 goals.

In Coronato, the Flames hope to fill a gap of an elite right handed shooting forward in their lineup. Obviously he is still likely a number of years away, but adding that potential to the organization is nothing short of impressive work by scouting.

Coronato will be taking his talents to Harvard this fall to join their men’s hockey team. His season will get underway in October and he will definitely be a marquee player to watch develop over the next season or so. There’s already a lot to be excited about with this kid and with some good development, he could end up being a home run from this draft, the ceiling is absolutely there.

Just saying, with the asking price having been a 1st and a 3rd to protect Mark Giordano in expansion, I’m glad the Flames didn’t give in as missing out on a pick like this had the potential to do far more harm long term to the club.

by Michael MacGillivray