By Tim Ubels (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: March 20, 2013
The AHL playoffs are fast approaching, and although the Abbotsford Heat are in a dogfight for positioning in the tight Western Conference, they could receive some help at the end of the season. Calgary Flames’ prospects currently playing in junior—at the college level and overseas—could potentially become available to play for the struggling Heat once their own seasons are over, giving them more options down the stretch.
Jon Gillies – Goaltender
The six-foot-five, 215-pound teenage tender, selected 75th overall in last year’s NHL Entry Draft, had a stellar year at the college level. The rookie tender posted a 15-10-6 record with a 2.06 goals against average and .932 save percentage playing for the Providence Friars. The American net minder also received the honour of representing his country at the U20 World Junior Championship this past winter. Although the Flames have a huge stockpile of goaltending depth at the moment, Gillies could hold the key to the franchises goaltending future in a few years and may see some time in a Heat uniform before making his way to the big leagues.
Johnny Gaudreau – Forward
Gaudreau has emerged as one of the elite players in college hockey, winning the Hockey East scoring title with 46 points despite being injured for part of the season. Playing alongside fellow Flames’ prospect Jon Gillies, Gaudreau helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the World Juniors and found himself on the tournament all-star team. Despite his stellar resume, it might be wise for the Flames’ management to let the five-foot-seven Gaudreau remain at Boston College for all four years in the NCAA, allowing him time to harness his game before turning pro.
John Ramage – Defenceman
In his fourth year with the Wisconsin Badgers, team captain John Ramage remains steadfast in his play, providing leadership, shutting down the opposing team’s top players and chipping in on offence whenever he can. Finishing up his senior year with 13 points in 36 games, the offensive defenceman is eager to find out if his performance with the Badgers is enough to earn him an entry-level contract from the Flames this summer and a potential spot with the Abbotsford Heat.
Patrick Sieloff – Defenceman
Playing in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires, Sieloff is a stay-at-home defenceman who dishes out crushing body checks and isn’t afraid to drop the gloves. Although Sieloff has been shut down for the rest of the year with a nagging groin injury, the young blueliner brings leadership skills along with the ability to make solid breakout passes. If he ever makes his way to the Heat lineup, opponents may begin to think twice before skating across the blue line.
Joni Ortio – Goaltender
Ortio is a player Abbotsford Heat fans should already be familiar with. The Finnish net minder played nine games with the team last season and demonstrated potential with his athletic style of play, although he disappointed management by going 1-4-0 with the Heat. This season Ortio suited up for TPS in the SM-liiga in his native Finland, and had quite the bounce-back year. He could be added back into the goaltending mix next year for the Heat lineup.
Coda Gordon – Forward
In his second year with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, the playmaking winger demonstrated poise beyond his years on the offensive end, taking on the role of the dependable winger who’s willing to make a pass over taking a shot. Although he has struggled balancing his two-way game, the young forward has managed 112 points in 136 games, while only amassing 33 minutes of penalties since joining the Broncos. Development will take time for Gordon, and although Swift Current has clinched a playoff spot this year, Heat fans should get excited about the prospect of seeing Gordon sharpen these skills and learning to balance his defensive game in Abbotsford in the years to come.
While these players could potentially be on their way to Abbotsford in the not too distant future, as of right now the Heat need their core players to step up and play better down the stretch if they want to stay in contention for a playoff spot. The Heat look to halt their current freefall in the standings when they return home for a weekend double-header against the Rockford Icehogs.
