The Calgary Flames sent a number of players to their junior clubs on Tuesday. Most notably, though, are the ones who didn’t return.
While the Flames transferred forwards Jacob Battaglia (Kingston, OHL), Hunter Laing (Prince George, WHL), Luke Misa (Brampton, OHL) and defencemen Axel Hurtig (Calgary, WHL), Eric Jamieson (Everett, WHL), Henry Mews (Ottawa, OHL) and Etienne Morin (Moncton, QMJHL), they kept a few who are eligible to go back to their junior teams.
First-round picks Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin, and Andrew Basha are also all sticking around for the moment. So are overagers Hunter Brzustewicz, Jaden Lipinski and Samuel Honzek, who could turn pro with the AHL Wranglers once their time ends with the Flames.
The Calgary Flames also released winger Luke McNamara from his tryout.
Honzek progressively improved in Penticton during the Young Stars Classic, and has five assists in two preseason games so far. His skill set is promising and he’s definitely making a case to avoid another season in the junior ranks.
The Flames still have 56 hopefuls in camp, with 33 forwards, 17 defencemen and six goaltenders.
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