As the Calgary Flames go through a rebuild/retool and players from the AHL make their way into the NHL on a more permanent basis, could the future of the Calgary Wranglers be arriving just in time?
The AHL’s Calgary Wranglers have announced the signings of forwards Connor Mylymok and Deni Goure, defenseman Charles Martin, and goaltender Connor Murphy. Goure is signing his first professional hockey contract, while Mylymok and Martin have secured two-year AHL/ECHL contracts. Murphy has signed a well-deserved one-way AHL deal.
The Wranglers have signed four players:
🔥 Goaltender Connor Murphy (re-signing, one-way AHL contract)
🔥 Defenceman Charles Martin (two-way AHL/ECHL contract)
🔥 Forward Deni Goure (two-way AHL/ECHL contract)
🔥 Forward Connor Mylymok (two-way AHL/ECHL contract)— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) August 2, 2024
Although only Murphy has AHL experience, each of the four players could have the chance to make an impact for the Wranglers this season.
Goure, 21, spent five seasons with the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL. He had an impressive 2023-24 season, leading his team in points. The Wranglers wrote, “Goure finished with 96 points tying for sixth in league scoring with Flames prospect Zayne Parekh.”
A bit older, Mylymok, 24, joined the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads last season, scoring three goals in 11 games after tallying six goals and five assists in 37 games at Niagara University. It was his most successful collegiate season with the Purple Eagles.
Martin, a 26-year-old right-shot defenseman, is entering his second pro season. After attending Wranglers camp last year, he spent the season with Rapid City, where he demonstrated promising offensive numbers.
Connor Murphy Will Get a Much-Deserved Shot
With Jacob Markstrom traded to the New Jersey Devils, AHL starter Dustin Wolf is expected to be promoted to the NHL, creating an opportunity for someone new to make an impact.
Connor Murphy will get a longer look in the AHL this season. His journey to professional hockey is intriguing, going through the USPHL, CCHL, NCAA, ECHL, before finally getting to the AHL. As CityNews sportscaster Sandra Prusian wrote, “The path to our destination is not always a straight one.”
Murphy will vie for a spot against Devin Cooley and Waltteri Ignatjew. After achieving a .922 save percentage over 15 games while splitting time between the Wranglers and the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush, he has earned his chance. At 25, he is the only one of the three with prior experience playing for the Wranglers, and the hope is that he will see some playoff action this season.
