Hopefully not a Fata, from NHL.com:
28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) -- Matvei Gridin, RW, Muskegon (USHL)
NHL Central Scouting ranking: No. 21 (North American skaters)
Gridin (6-1, 189) began playing hockey at age 3 in his hometown of Kurgan, Russia. It was there his father, Andrey, began teaching him the fundamentals. He played for St. Petersburg and Omsk in Russia's development leagues before being chosen by Muskegon in the 15th round (No. 223) of the 2022 United States Hockey League draft. The 18-year-old led the USHL with 83 points (38 goals, 45 assists) in 60 games, a vast improvement on the 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) he had in 40 games in 2022-23. Committed to play at the University of Michigan next season, Gridin knows how to play to his strengths, which include his intelligence, playmaking and one of the quickest shot releases Muskegon coach Parker Burgess said he has ever seen.
NHL.com analysis: After addressing their needs on defense with Parekh, the Flames select leading scorer in the USHL in Gridin. Scouts like Gridin's hockey sense, which allows him to be dangerous on the penalty kill. The Flames have started to tilt more toward younger, more athletic forwards with Matt Coronato and Connor Zary expected to get more playing time next season, and 2023 first-round pick (No. 16) Samuel Honzek and Gridin could be right behind them.
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