More Flames cuts: 10 players sent to Stockton

In advance of tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, the Calgary Flames have announced some roster moves.

Seven contracted players have been assigned to the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat: goalie Mason McDonald, defensemen Josh Healey, Michael Paliotta and Andrew O’Brien, and forwards Yasin Ehliz, Zach Fischer and Mike McMurtry.

Three players were released from their professional tryouts with the Flames and invited to Stockton’s camp: forwards Scott Sabourin, Jordan Ernst and Justin Auger.

Only three of the players cut today are on NHL contracts: McDonald, Healey and Ehliz. McDonald is the organization’s de facto sixth-string goaltender and is likely destined for Kansas City of the ECHL. Healey is a solid AHL depth guy but was likely to be lost in the crowd of players with NHL aspirations. And Ehliz is in his first year on the smaller North American ice and has some adjustments to make.

With the China players returning to practices in a day or so, they simply needed to clear out some of the bodies and give the NHL players some room to prepare for opening night.

The Flames have 51 players left in camp: six goalies, 17 defensemen and 28 forwards.