Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - 2017-18 Flames' NCAA Prospects, General Discussion Thread

sureLoss · 08-15-2017, 01:45 PM

The Flames said goodbye to two of their NCAA prospects over the summer:

Brandon Hickey - traded to the Coyotes after the Flames aggressively tried to sign him (and failed) at the end of his junior season.

Tim Harrison - given a brief stint in the ECHL last spring, but the Flames elected not to offer him a NHL contract. But his legendary prowess at winning Stampede mini bikes will live on

The Flames also did not draft any NCAA bound players in the 2017 draft, leaving only two prospects in the US college ranks for the 17/18 season.

Adam Fox - 66th OA 2016 draft | D | 19 year old Sophomore | Harvard University

Fox is perhaps the most exciting Flames prospect not in the pros. He could be

What else can be said about Fox's freshman season? Just amazing and among the best by a 18 year old NCAA freshman in 30 years.

Accolades say it all:
NCAA (East) First All-American Team
NCAA (ECAC) All-Rookie Team
NCAA (ECAC) All-Tournament Team
NCAA (ECAC) Champion
NCAA (ECAC) First All-Star Team
NCAA (New England) Best Defenseman
NCAA (New England) D1 All-Stars
NCAA All-Ivy League First Team
NCAA Ivy-League Rookie of the Year
U20 WJC Gold Medal

Question is how much further can he build on last season?

Projecting the ECAC is hard to do sometimes, but 4 of 5 Harvard's top scoring forwards from last season all graduated this summer which may lead to a drop in the standings unless other players help fill that void. Harvard does get the addition of F Jack Badini (Ducks 3rd round pick 2017) and D Reilly Walsh (Devils 3rd round pick 2017).

Based on the World Junior Summer Showcase, the WJCs this year are going to be a coming out party for him where he will be one of the marquee players for the United States.

2017/18 Schedule: http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mice/2017-18/schedule

Mitchell Mattson - 126th OA 2016 draft | C | 19 year old | University of North Dakota

Mattson was going to be a project when he was drafted and his draft+1 year proved it. Inconsistent season in the USHL which resulted in a meh year.

He was also scheduled to play for North Dakota this season, BUT the Sioux City Stampede of the USHL traded a 1st round pick (3rd overall) in the USHL Phase II draft and a player for Mattson this past May. This indicates that playing in North Dakota for 2017/18 might not be as firm as once thought and he might be playing in the USHL again next season.

Not necessarily a bad thing to delay going to the NCAA another year. UND is one of the top programs in the NCAA that attracts a lot of top players. If Mattson struggles, it may be difficult for UND to give him the ice time for him to develop.

08-15-2017, 01:45 PM	#1
sureLoss Some kinda newsbreaker! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Learning Phaneufs skating style Exp:	2017-18 Flames' NCAA Prospects, General Discussion Thread The Flames said goodbye to two of their NCAA prospects over the summer: Brandon Hickey - traded to the Coyotes after the Flames aggressively tried to sign him (and failed) at the end of his junior season. Tim Harrison - given a brief stint in the ECHL last spring, but the Flames elected not to offer him a NHL contract. But his legendary prowess at winning Stampede mini bikes will live on The Flames also did not draft any NCAA bound players in the 2017 draft, leaving only two prospects in the US college ranks for the 17/18 season. Adam Fox - 66th OA 2016 draft \| D \| 19 year old Sophomore \| Harvard University Fox is perhaps the most exciting Flames prospect not in the pros. He could be What else can be said about Fox's freshman season? Just amazing and among the best by a 18 year old NCAA freshman in 30 years. Accolades say it all: NCAA (East) First All-American Team NCAA (ECAC) All-Rookie Team NCAA (ECAC) All-Tournament Team NCAA (ECAC) Champion NCAA (ECAC) First All-Star Team NCAA (New England) Best Defenseman NCAA (New England) D1 All-Stars NCAA All-Ivy League First Team NCAA Ivy-League Rookie of the Year U20 WJC Gold Medal Question is how much further can he build on last season? Projecting the ECAC is hard to do sometimes, but 4 of 5 Harvard's top scoring forwards from last season all graduated this summer which may lead to a drop in the standings unless other players help fill that void. Harvard does get the addition of F Jack Badini (Ducks 3rd round pick 2017) and D Reilly Walsh (Devils 3rd round pick 2017). Based on the World Junior Summer Showcase, the WJCs this year are going to be a coming out party for him where he will be one of the marquee players for the United States. 2017/18 Schedule: http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mice/2017-18/schedule Mitchell Mattson - 126th OA 2016 draft \| C \| 19 year old \| University of North Dakota Mattson was going to be a project when he was drafted and his draft+1 year proved it. Inconsistent season in the USHL which resulted in a meh year. He was also scheduled to play for North Dakota this season, BUT the Sioux City Stampede of the USHL traded a 1st round pick (3rd overall) in the USHL Phase II draft and a player for Mattson this past May. This indicates that playing in North Dakota for 2017/18 might not be as firm as once thought and he might be playing in the USHL again next season. Not necessarily a bad thing to delay going to the NCAA another year. UND is one of the top programs in the NCAA that attracts a lot of top players. If Mattson struggles, it may be difficult for UND to give him the ice time for him to develop.