[btimbit]

Flames excited by Klimchuk's maturity

The Flames wasted little time making the Calgary, Alberta, product their second signing from the 2013 draft class after No. 6 pick Sean Monahan, who is currently plying his trade in the NHL.

It's for good reason too, according to Craig Conroy.

"He's a young man and he's got a lot of things to improve on, but I think at this point we love that even in our interviews leading up into the draft, how serious he was and how he wants to be a player," said Conroy, the special assistant to the general manager. "He's going to have to put a lot of work in, but we feel at some point with all that work and the way he wants to be a player, that one day he's going to be in the NHL."

Klimchuk's arrival could come sooner than later.

The 18-year-old has been impressive for the Pats this season, scoring 12 goals with 29 points in 26 games.

But as much as his offensive contributions have meant to the Western Hockey League club, it's what Klimchuk has brought Malcolm Cameron's team in other areas that's been most impressive.

"He's just a mature kid," said Cameron, who serves as Regina's head coach. "I think a lot of it is his preparation, what he puts in each and every game, each and every practice. Seeing that, you have to be reminded he's only 18 years of age. He's 18 going on 25 in terms of his maturity. He makes the players around him better and makes his guys better people."

That maturity is what made Klimchuk a must-sign for the Flames.

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=697540