Meet the Calgary Flames’ 18 development camp invitees

The Calgary Flames hit the ice for their annual prospect development camp on Thursday at Winsport. In addition to 16 homegrown prospects, primarily draft selections, the club has invited 18 players not affiliated with the organization to come to camp.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the two goalies, seven defenders and nine forwards the club is bringing to camp.

(These are in addition to the quartet of AHL-contracted players the club’s invited to town: goaltenders Connor Murphy and Matt Radomsky, defenceman Jarrod Gourley, and forward Mark Duarte.)

Goaltenders

Jari Kykkanen

He’s got a Finnish name, but Kykkanen is a Canadian-born kid from Lloydminster who’s played for much of the past two seasons with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. In 33 appearances in 2022-23, the 18-year-old went 14-23-3 with a .896 save percentage.

Max Vayrynen

Originally from Turku, Finland, Vayrynen spent 2022-23 as a freshman with Michigan Tech. He was the backup to Hobey Baker finalist Blake Pietila, and made just four appearances, going 1-0-1 with a .903 save percentage.

Defencemen

Callum Chisholm

Chisholm was used as both a defender and a winger by the Barrie Colts last season. In a depth role, the 6’4″, 229 pounder had 23 points in 52 games.

Charles Cote

Listed at 6’6″, 192 pounds, Cote is a big left shot defender who plays for Rimouski of the QMJHL. He had 21 points in 62 games last season.

Mikael Diotte

A returnee from last year’s development camp, Dioette had 27 points in 62 games last season with Drummondville of the QMJHL. He’s another big fella, listed at 6’3″ and 205 pounds.

Tyson Galloway

Listed at 6’4″, 214 pounds, Galloway is a blueliner from the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. He was selected by St. Louis in the 2021 NHL Draft but wasn’t signed. He had 29 points in 64 games last season.

Quinn Mantei

Mantei is a left shot defender from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. He had 25 points in 67 games last season.

Donovan McCoy

McCoy is a right shot defender from the OHL’s Peterborough Petes. He had 13 points in 65 games last season.

John Prokop

Another player that can play on the blueline or the wing, Prokop is a left shot from Union College. Listed at 6’3″ and 181 pounds, he had 23 points in 35 games last season as a freshman.

Forwards

Nick DeGrazia

A left shot from the Sudbury Wolves, DeGrazia had 50 points in 53 games during his overage junior season. He’s aged out of major junior.

Tyson Gross

An incoming freshman headed to St. Cloud State University, the 6’3″ 180 pound Gross is a Calgary kid. He played in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, where he had 39 points in 54 games. He briefly played with Flames prospect Cade Littler during the USHL playoffs.

Patrick Guzzo

An Ohio State University junior, headed into his senior year, Guzzo had 17 points in 40 games. He’s another big guy, listed at 6’3″ and 198 pounds.

Chad Hillebrand

A Western Michigan University junior, headed into his senior year, Hillebrand had 16 points in 32 games. He’s (yet) another big guy, listed at 6’4″ and 200 pounds.

Cole Huckins

A third-round pick back in 2021, Huckins wasn’t signed by the Flames but earned an invite to camp. He had 58 points in 64 games last season with the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix.

Adam Kydd

A left shot from the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, Kydd had 53 points in 53 games in his overage season. He’s aged out of major junior. Prior to his stint with the Rockets, Kydd played with the Hitmen.

Oliver Peer

A left shot from the OHL’s Windsor Spotifres, Peer had 67 points in 63 games last season. He’s got one season of major junior eligibility left.

Nathan Pilling

A left shot from the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, Pilling is a Calgary product who had 13 points in 35 games last season. He’s got two seasons of major junior eligibility left.

Oliver Tulk

A right shot from the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, Tulk had 60 points in 68 games last season. Listed at 5’8″ and 172 pounds, Tulk doesn’t have a ton of size… but he’s got a good amount of potential. He has three seasons of major junior eligibility left.

Which of the Flames’ invitees are you most excited to see at development camp?