One of the Calgary Flames’ picks from an otherwise fruitful draft class for them will hit the open market. 2016 fifth-round pick Mitchell Mattson is no longer listed on the team’s reserve list in their media portal, per FlamesNation’s Ryan Pike, meaning the team didn’t sign him prior to today’s deadline for certain college players’ signing rights.
Mattson, a center, was a somewhat risky selection at the time, and unfortunately for Calgary, there was no reward involved either. In his draft year, Mattson had a strong high school showing with 46 points in 25 games but had just two points in 21 USHL games with the USHL’s Bloomington Thunder.
After joining Michigan State for the 2018-19 season, it took Mattson two entire seasons to score his first college goal. Over four years at Michigan State, Mattson scored just eight points in a combined 80 games.
With production like that, even an ECHL contract might be out of reach for Mattsson if he’s staying in North America. If he can get a chance somewhere, though, the 2022-23 season will be crucial for him to get a professional hockey career back on track.
better to keep your work energy for something else
Go to Japan and learn to skate like Sutter did.
ECHL contract out of reach? Scoring a point every ten games in *college*, this guy’s hockey future is in playing in a Grand Rapids beer league. The closest he’s going to get to the pros is to buy tickets to see the Griffins play.
Slow news day?
Seems like a draft bust. Why would Calgary want to sign him?
Hey Josh find an interesting hockey topic to report on!!!
In other news, my dog dragged his ass across my living room floor today.
Are picks still considered risky in the 5th round?
This will change the landscape of hockey forever.
Must have been a really slow hockey news day!