Flames CHL Prospect Update

The Playoffs begin this week for the CHL and seven Flames prospects will be participating. Here’s a rundown of how their regular seasons went!

QMJHL

D’Artagnan Joly – Baie Comeau Drakkar

The Flames only QMJHL prospect got a late start to his season due to injury but finished with an impressive 68 points in 55 games, including 25 goals. That passed his career high 48 points in 66 games last season. He led his team in points per game this year. Baie Comeau begins their playoffs as the #13 seed, taking on the #4 seed Halifax Mooseheads.

OHL

Adam Ruzicka – Sarnia Sting

Ruzicka had a hot start to the season and still finished with 72 points in 63 games for Sarnia, scoring 36 goals. Ruzicka had 46 points in 61 games last year so this year was a nice step up for the Slovak. His Sarnia Sting have the 3rd seed in the OHL’s Western Conference and take on the Windsor Spitfires in Round 1.

WHL

Nick Schneider – Calgary Hitmen

Schneider and the Hitmen had a rough 2017-18 campaign, missing out on the playoffs. Schneider posted a .885 sv% and a 3.70 GAA while going 20-30-10 for the Hitmen.

Zach Fischer – Spokane Chiefs

After a tumultuous start to the season, Fischer was traded to Spokane and posted 35 points in 43 games with the Chiefs. That was a step down from his 63 points in 62 game pace he had with Medicine Hat last year. He was injured in February and hasn’t yet returned. The Chiefs finished 3rd in the U.S. Division and open up their playoffs against the Portland Winterhawks.

Juuso Valimaki – Tri-City Americans

The 1st Round Pick from 2017 had a good but injury shortened year, dressing in 43 games for Tri-City and picking up 45 points. He captained the Finnish team at the World Juniors as well. The Americans finished in the 1st Wild Card spot of the Western Conference and take on the Kelowna Rockets in Round 1.

Dillon Dube – Kelowna Rockets

After making it to the end of training camp with the Flames, Dube returned to Kelowna and had himself a heck of a year. He put up 84 points in 53 games which was pace that actually matched fellow Flames prospect Matthew Phillips. Oh yeah he also captained Team Canada to Gold. As mentioned above, his Rockets take on the Tri-City Americans in Round 1.

Matthew Phillips – Victoria Royals

It seemed like almost every night we were hearing of Phillips putting up a few points this season. He finished the year with 112 points in 71 games and was the captain of the Royals. He improved on last year’s 90 points in 70 games. Phillips named to the WHL 1st All Star team. The Royals finished 2nd in the B.C. Division and take on the Vancouver Giants in Round 1.

Glenn Gawdin – Swift Current Broncos

After being somewhat of an afterthought signing in the offseason, Gawdin turned heads by putting up 125 points in 67 games this season. That number absolutely dwarfed his 59 points in 52 games from last year. It is smart to be cautious about point totals in a player’s overage year but he still looks like an exciting prospect. Gawdin was also named to the WHL 1st All Star team. The Broncos take on the Regina Pats in Round 1.

by Michael MacGillivray