Camp Notes: Previewing Calgary Flames Prospects at the Young Stars Classic

The time has arrived! The official start of the 2023-24 hockey season is upon us and it starts with the Calgary Flames prospects at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton.

The Flames will be shipping down to Penticton from September 15th-18th. Here is the team’s schedule at the Young Stars Classic:

"Friday, September 15th @ 8:30 PM MT – vs Vancouver Saturday, September 16th @ 8:30 PM MT – vs EdmontonMonday, September 18th @ 11:00 AM MT – vs WinnipegAll games will be held at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton."

See the entire Calgary Flames schedule leading up to the season opener here.

This is an opportunity for some of the young guns in the prospect pipeline to show the Flames brass what they possess in their repertoire. The trio of games in Penticton give the chance for some of the new faces in the prospect system to get acclimated with one another. Prospects like Matt Coronato, Sam Honzek, William Stromgren, and Etienne Morin can gain experience on what it’s like to go head-to-head with the prospects of division rivals and future opponents in the NHL (if they’re lucky enough to make it to the big leagues).

It’s an interesting time to be a prospect in the Flames pipeline, as some of the big names may be getting their shot on the main roster, but nonetheless it’s sure to be a good set of games to watch this weekend. Many Flames fans will be tuning in to see what some of the newly drafted prospects from the 2023 NHL draft look like in action.

Key to watch for Flames fans

Flames fans will see a mishmash of lines, new guys in the system (Honzek and Morin) showing what they can in exhibition action, and some more familiar faces in the prospect pool (Coronato and Ciona) So, with that in mind… here are some things you can look forward to in the three games in Penticton:

The improved speed and strength of Matt Coronato

The new “wee wizard” in town came left last season with some things to improve on, including his skating and strength on/off the puck. During the first few days of skates after many players returned to Calgary in anticipation of the new season, many media members noted that Coronato looks stronger and quicker in action. Be on the lookout for a bigger, faster Coronato in Penticton.

The two-way play of Samuel Honzek

Honzek has been touted for his play at both ends of the rink, so it’s certainly something to keep your eyes on. That, along with and the dangerous shot he possesses. When he lets that shot go… look out. It was the talking point at Flames development camp back in July and now we get to see it live in a Flames uniform. His shot is looked at by some analysts as already NHL-ready and was complimented by the likes of Jarome Iginla back in July.

The speedy transition game of Etienne Morin

His quick strides and change of direction will be an awesome sight to see. Morin’s 21 goals in the 2022-23 led all defenceman in the QMJHL and his 72 points had him ranked third among the league. Look out for his speed and offensive game.

Prospects looking to prove themselves

Guys like Lucas Ciona, Parker Bell, William Stromgren, Yan Kuznetsov, and others will look to show their off-season improvements and what they hope to bring to their respective leagues in the ’23-24 season. Many of them were given tasks by the Flames brass in July to prepare them for rookie camp and the Young Stars Classic, so keep your eyes peeled for improvements in their games.

Players to watch

Matt Coronato

For obvious reasons, the Flames’ 2021 first round pick will be one of the key players to watch at the Young Stars Classic.

Coronato is poised to lock down a spot with the main roster and it starts now with rookie camp. Coronato got a taste of what it feels like to play with the big club, as he made his NHL debut in the final game of ’22-23 season. Coronato impressed the Flames faithful with 14:38 of TOI in his debut and had them hopeful for what is to come down the road. It should be fun to see Coronato hit the ice this weekend.

Sam Honzek

Another bright spot for the Flames is Sam Honzek. This weekend at the Young Stars Classic, Flames Fans will get their first look at the team’s 2023 first round draft pick in a Flaming C.

Honzek will be coming into rookie camp and main camp looking to impress the team, as he makes his way back to the WHL for his sophomore year. Honzek will have the chance to show fans, management, and coaches why picking him was the right choice. As I mentioned earlier, there’s an elite shot

Rookie Camp/Young Stars Classic Roster

I didn’t forget about the rest of the young guys. Here is the prospect roster for the Flames at the the Young Stars Classic (from CalgaryFlames.com):

Forwards

#39 – Matt Coronato – 20 Y/O – Calgary Flames (NHL)
#42 – Samuel Honzek – 18 Y/O – Vancouver Giants (WHL)
#43 – Adam Klapka – 23 Y/O – Calgary Wranglers (AHL)
#51 – Oliver Tulk (ATO) – 18 Y/O – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
#56 – Oliver Peer (ATO) – 20 Y/O – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
#65 – William Strömgren – 20 Y/O – Calgary Wranglers (AHL)
#73 – Jaden Lipinski – 18 Y/O – Vancouver Giants (WHL)
#74 – Lucas Ciona – 20 Y/O – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
#77 – Ilya Nikolaev – 22 Y/O – Calgary Wranglers (AHL)/Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
#86 – Rory Kerins – 21 Y/O – Calgary Wranglers (AHL)/Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
#87 – Parker Bell – 19 Y/O – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
#92 – Nathan Pilling (ATO) – 19 Y/O – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
#93 – Mark Duarte (AHL) – 20 Y/O – Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Defencemen

#53 – Charles Cote (ATO) – 19 Y/O – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
#44 – Mikael Diotte (ATO) – 20 Y/O Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
#36 – Tyson Galloway (ATO) – 20 Y/O – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
#96 – Jarrod Gourley (AHL) – 24 Y/O – Utica Comets (AHL)/Adirondack Thunder (ECHL)
#37 – Yan Kuznetsov – 21 Y/O – Calgary Wranglers (AHL)
#45 – Donovan McCoy (ATO) – 18 Y/O – Peterborough Petes (OHL)
#59 – Etienne Morin – 18 Y/O – Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
#72 – Jeremie Poirier – 21 Y/O – Calgary Wranglers (AHL) – Dealing with an injury so will not participate at the Young Stars Classic 94
#94 – Quinn Mantei (ATO) – 18 Y/OBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Goalies

#40 – Jari Kykkanen (ATO) – 19 Y/O – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
#81 – Connor Murphy (AHL) – 24 Y/O – Union College (NCAA)
#50 – Matt Radomsky (AHL) – 24 Y/O – U. of Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA)

There’s lots to watch for during these three games, including which camp invitees might raise some eyebrows for the Calgary Flames. It’ll be a fun little way to kick off hockey season as we get closer to main camp and the regular season. Be on the lookout for more camp coverage and ramped up Flame for Thought content this season. Go Flames go!

Want to watch the Calgary Flames at the Young Stars Classic? All games will be streamed live on Flames TV.