It won’t be hard to keep tabs on the Calgary Flames’ prospects in this year’s world junior tourney, as they only have one.
But that’s not to say the Flames are short on top young players.
The Stockton Heat (18-2-3) are one of the best teams in the AHL, thanks to a generous helping of talented youngsters on their way up to the bigs.
For the next few weeks all eyes will be on Matthew Coronato, as the 2021 first rounder takes time out from Harvard to play a prominent role on the U.S. team’s junior squad.
However, a quick peek at the top five prospects in the organization shows there are plenty of reasons to be excited about life down on the farm:
Matthew Coronato, LW/RW, Harvard (NCAA)
GP: 11 │ G: 6 │ A: 6 │ PTS: 12
Since being selected 13th overall this summer, the just-turned 19-year-old has made a successful jump from USHL sniper to Ivy League force.
Coronato leads all rookies on his team in scoring and sits top-20 in ECAC scoring despite playing almost half the games other players have played.
“He’s a young player there, so to make that jump from the USHL is huge, playing with much older guys,” said Flames director of player development, Ray Edwards. “I’m anxious to see him against his own age group at the world juniors.”
As one of the best pure goal scorers in the 2021 draft, Coronato’s role for the American’s will likely involve being counted on to be a difference-maker.
It is at that tourney Flames fans will see the work ethic and compete-level that has Edwards comparing the five-foot-10, 183-pound winger to Andrew Mangiapane.
“When you draft a guy that high and he wants to get better, learn and be coachable and polite, it’s clear he’s just a great human being,” said Edwards, who has seen Coronato play live a handful of times this year.
“On the ice it all goes together. What sticks out is how hard he competes. He’s willing to go into tough areas to play, and he doesn’t mind paying the price.”
Dustin Wolf, G, Stockton Heat (AHL)
Record: 14-0-2 │ GAA: 1.84 │ SV%: .940
Leading the AHL in wins, and amongst the top three in every statistical category, Wolf continues to prove the hockey world was wrong to let him go undrafted until late in the seventh round in 2019.
The generously-listed six-foot, 168-pound goaltender has parlayed one of the greatest junior careers in decades into a flawless start as a pro.
“We had high expectations coming off a fantastic junior career and the handful of games he played in Stockton last year, but to go on the run that he has, you’d almost have to say he’s exceeded expectations,” said Stockton GM/Flames assistant GM Brad Pascall of the diminutive 20-year-old, who hasn’t lost a game in regulation in 18 outings dating back to last year.
“This is a guy that is a hockey player. We have a good team down there, but he is a big part of the success we’ve had in the start of the season. He’s a smart player. He reads the game so well and manages it so well as a goalie.”
Some intermission entertainment - check out this save bypic.twitter.com/bWwhdYAi9S
— Stockton Heat (@AHLHeat) December 5, 2021
Jakob Pelletier, C/LW, Stockton Heat (AHL)
GP: 23 │ G: 10 │ A: 17 │ PTS: 27
Never mind the fact he’s tops amongst AHL rookies, the 20-year-old sits third in league scoring.
Not a bad way to introduce yourself at the pro ranks, proving his size won’t be a detriment moving forward.
Like Coronato and Mangiapane, Pelletier’s offensive skills are complimented by a compete-level that make him a natural leader.
Tied with teammates Glenn Gawdin and Matthew Phillips at plus-17 atop the league, Pelletier has put himself in position to be a natural call-up at some point this season.
“Some guys it takes months to figure out the pro game, but for him it literally took a handful of games,” said Pascall. “He can influence the game just by his competitiveness and work ethic and he keeps having more and more of an impact on the game.”
In the midst of his stellar junior career the Flames selected Pelletier 26th overall in 2019, with hopes he could continue to find the scoring touch alongside the world's best.
“He comes in and has a smile on his face, he makes everybody laugh," said Stockton coach Mitch Love. "He’s still a little undersized but he finds a way every night. It’s impressive to watch."
Connor Zary, C, Stockton Heat (AHL)
GP: 15 │ G: 4 │ A: 4 │ PTS: 8
Things haven’t come as easy this year as they appeared to last year when his season-opening stint in the AHL saw him pick up three goals and seven points in nine outings before heading back to junior.
This year things got off to a poor start after Zary suffered an ankle injury from a blocked shot in prospect camp, and missed plenty of time recovering.
“He’s coming along -- it took him some time to find his game conditioning and the jump in pace from junior to this level,” said Love, who has been playing Zary up the middle, as opposed to last year’s AHL stint on the wing. “No one has ever questioned his offensive instincts, but I think the best thing he’s done a good job with the last three weeks is his play away from the puck.”
The 20-year-old is another Flames first-rounder (24th in 2020) who does plenty of everything with a six-foot, 178-pound frame.
“Talented and so smart -- he’s a top prospect, no question,” added Pascall. “As of late he’s been solid, at both ends and producing more.”
Martin Pospisil, C/LW/RW, Stockton Heat (AHL)
GP: 15 │ G: 4 │ A: 6 │ PTS: 10
He doesn’t have any of the gaudy stats most of the franchise’s top prospects have, but he has size.
And skill.
And when the 22-year-old winger isn’t injured he puts all of it on display with a game Darryl Sutter is sure to love.
“He really turned heads last year, then he got hurt,” said Pascall of the fourth-rounder who had his shoulder operated on and had a knee injury, one year after a concussion derailed his season.
“He’s had some bad luck. He’s big, he plays with grit and he’s got skill and ability. He’s an exciting guy that can excel at centre but also at the wing. He just needs more consistent reps.”
He’s missed a handful of games this year due to injury, but is learning to limit the recklessness that has led to past ailments.
“He plays an abrasive style, no doubt,” said Love of the six-foot-two, 190-pound forward. “When he’s moving his legs and feet he’s hard to play against. He’s a big, long kid who goes to the puck hard. The biggest thing for him is staying healthy, and he’s putting a lot of work into his body in the gym.”
