Calgary Flames Young Stars Tournament Takes Off in Penticton

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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Matthew Phillips. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Now let’s look at some forwards.

Andrew Eat Bread (Andrew Mangiapane)

Yes, his last name translates to eat bread. Andrew Mangiapane was drafted in the sixth round by the Calgary Flames in 2015. While he’s usually one of the smaller guys on the ice (5’10”, 183 lbs), he’s sharp and makes smart plays. It is somewhat surprising that he didn’t go until the sixth round, and he was also projected at not going until the fourth or fifth round anyways, even though he put up 43 goals and 104 points in 68 games with the Barrie Colts of the OHL the season right before he was drafted.

In the 2015-16 season with the Colts, he put up 51 goals and 106 points in 59 games while also sporting the “A” on his jersey. Mangiapane also had an impressive +40. He had 21 points in 15 playoff games that year. He was also second in goals among all skaters in the OHL and sixth for points.

His scouting reports had good things to say about him too, the only con was his size, but he made up for it with his fearlessness.

Via Elite Prospects:

"Mangiapane is one of the most underrated draft prospects in the 2015 draft. He has excellent speed and offensive instincts as can be seen as his 104 points. He is small but fearless and has continued to get better as he has grown as an OHL player. Offensively, he is one of the most talented prospects in the OHL and would be an excellent pick in the 4th or 5th round. (Tyler Parchem, EP 2015)"

Mangiapane did go pro last year, playing with the Stockton Heat in the AHL. Of course with bigger players and a faster-paced environment, he wasn’t going to excel as much as he did with the Colts. He had 20 goals and 41 points in 66 games. His fearlessness also showed with him racking up 64 PIM, especially at his size.

Mark Jankowski

Mark Jankowski‘s been a special case. He was the first round pick for the Calgary Flames in 2012, but he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. One of our writers, Ben, wrote about him and his draft year, so I won’t go into too much detail about that.

Like I said with the video I posted earlier, he’s grown some muscle and gained some confidence. He did get to play in his first NHL game this past season, but remained pointless. Last season in the AHL, he had 56 points in 64 games and has a strong chance of making the Flames lineup this year.

He will be on the first line alongside Mangiapane and Spencer Foo tonight. Speaking of Foo…

Spencer Foo

A couple months ago, the Calgary Flames signed NCAA free agent Spencer Foo. Who was also offered a deal from the Edmonton Oilers, his hometown team, but he chose the Flames instead (*sunglasses emoji*). Last season with Union College, he put up 26 goals and 62 points in 38 games. He was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker this past year.

Foo thought Calgary would be the better fit over Edmonton.

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"First of all, it’s an absolute blessing to be in the position I am. It’s tough comparing teams. I know it’s most kids’ dreams to play for their hometown team, the one they grew up cheering for. That was certainly a consideration with me. All four of the organizations I was talked to at the end were great, great people, top to bottom. That made this really difficult. But in the end, I thought the best fit for me was Calgary."

He’s also excited ahead of this weekend playing in the tournament.

Via Sportsnet:

"It’s obviously a big weekend for me. It’ll be the first time I get to put on that jersey and really kind of show why they wanted to sign me. I have high expectations of myself. Obviously the Flames do as well. I have to come out and perform to the best of my abilities and that’s what I’m planning on doing."

Foo was also one of the players Torie Peterson said to watch out for at this weekend’s tournament.

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"The highly sought after college free-agent opted to sign with the Flames after a three-year stint at Union and in his first appearance in Calgary silks, he didn’t disappoint. He was one of the top forwards at this summer’s development camp and showed off his skill when he went head-to-head with Parsons in a shootout. Deking out the netminder in tight, Foo’s quick backhand-to-forehand move allowed him to slip the puck around Parsons’ pad and earned a chorus of “Foooooooooooo” chants from the crowd."

I think out of all the forwards, Foo has the highest chance of joining the Flames lineup. He’s coming off a strong season with Union College and he’s a RW. I just hope if he joins, the “Foooooooo” chants will continue.

Dillon Dube

Dillon Dube is also not the biggest guy in the world, but he’s fast and has lots of energy on the ice. He has a very offensive mindset and can deke through defenders. He was drafted in the second round in the 2016 NHL draft. This past year, with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, he had 55 points in 40 games.

He also got a chance with the AHL in the playoffs and played in one game with the Stockton Heat. He was also on the Team Canada roster at the World Juniors where he had three points in three games, but lost to Team USA in the Gold Medal game.

Now let’s look at the last forward for today.

Matthew Phillips

Matthew Phillips wasn’t drafted until the sixth round at the 2016 NHL Draft even though he put up a good amount of points in his junior years. It could be because of his small stature, being at just 5’7″. However, he put up 90 points in 70 games this past season with the Victoria Royals of the WHL.

He was also on Torie Peterson’s list of players to watch.

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"Last year, Phillips followed up his time at the Young Stars Classic with his best WHL season to date. The Calgary product scored 50 goals and posted 90 points in 70 regular season games and then headed to Stockton to join the Heat on an amateur try-out after the Victoria Royals were eliminated from the playoffs. What the winger lacks in size – standing at 5-foot-7 and weighing in at 155-lbs. – he makes up for with skill. As his offensive totals show, he has no problem producing given his creativity, puck skills and speed. He will likely take on a big role at the Young Stars tournament thanks to his experience and rapid progression over the past couple of seasons."

He impressed a lot in the World Junior Summer Showcase. And people are even comparing him to Johnny Gaudreau because of his small size and skating abilities. He also impressed NHL scouts. They ranked the top ten players who impressed at the WJSS, and while he didn’t make that top ten list cut, he was still an honorable mention.

Let’s look at the last category: goaltenders

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