Flames Picks Round 5-7

 

 

Culkin is a defender from the Quebec Ramparts of QMJHL. He’s the third defenseman picked by the Flames in this draft, making Jankowski the only forward chosen in the top-125 by Calgary. Culkin is a 6’1", 175 pound blueliner who scored 6 goals and 25 points in 60 games. Like many other Flames picks in this draft, he’s described as a player with good hockey sense. Boucher scouting has an in-depth one game scout report and even summary on Culkin here.

Flames go back to their WHL roots with the Gordon pick. A winger with the Swift Current Broncos, Gordon scored 30 goals and 53 points in 66 games, good for second on the team. He’s described as a forward who has a great shot and good physical play, but below average skating.

The Flames rounded things out with a 6′, 185 pound center out of the UHSL, Deblouw put up 11 goals and 34 points for Muskegan. He was the 51st ranked NA skater by Central scouting at the end of the year.

Thus concludes the Flames 2012 entry draft. Calgary went heavy on defenders and players from Quebec and United States leagues/development systems, which is a big departure from previous habits under the former regime. Jankowski was the Flames lone high reward type choice in this draft, while the rest of the choices were defensible, but far more middle of the road.

It’s apparent the Flames think there is some value in scouting Quebec and relatively minor feeder leagues like the USHL right now. We’ll see if their intuition proves correct.