After going with a defenceman with their first pick in Round 1, the Calgary Flames added some forward depth with their second pick in the opening round.
The Flames selected forward Matvei Gridin with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.
Gridin played with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks last season and recorded 38 goals and 45 assists in 60 games.
The six-foot-one forward was the 49th-ranked prospect in Jason Bukala’s pre-draft rankings.
“Gridin is a calculating player in the offensive zone,” Bukala wrote. “He lurks, then pounces on pucks to direct high-danger shots on goal. He leans shooter more than playmaker and plays at his own pace.”
The native of Kugan, Russia has committed to play with Michigan University in the NCAA next season.
Calgary also selected defenceman Zayne Parekh with the ninth overall pick on Friday.