Top Calgary Flames prospect Matthew Coronato will have a big decision to make in the next four or five weeks. The Harvard forward has to determine whether to sign with the Flames or return to school after what he hopes is a Frozen Four run. (@EricFrancis) sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/to…
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Top prospect Matt Coronato: ‘My intention remains to sign with the Calgary Flames when I’m ready’
Photo credit: Gil Talbot/Harvard Crimson
Folks, Calgary Flames’ 2021 first-round pick Matt Coronato is really good at hockey. The 20-year-old forward is in his sophomore year at Harvard University, where he’s emerged as one of the top goal-scorers in all of college hockey.
Speaking to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis recently, Coronato reiterated his intention to sign with the Flames when the time is right.
Coronato’s exact phrasing, via Francis:
“Once my season is over, my family, my advisers and I will listen to what Darryl Sutter and Brad Treliving have to say about where they see me fitting into the organization, and then make our decision about whether to sign… My intention remains to sign with the Calgary Flames when I’m ready, and I would find an opportunity to play in the NHL attractive.”
Selected by the Flames at 13th overall in 2021, Coronato was a goal-scoring machine in his draft year with the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel. He moved onto college in 2021-22, helping lead the Crimson to a national tournament berth as one of the top freshman in the nation.
After posting 36 points in 34 games, Coronato posted a strong performance for the United States at the summer World Junior tournament – he had also appeared in the initial winter event that was postponed. So far in his sophomore season, playing a mixture of centre and right wing, Coronato has 33 points in 29 games heading into the conference playoffs. He’s been a top all-situations player for Harvard and one of their top offensive players.
Right now, Coronato remains focused on winning a national championship while he has an opportunity to do so. As a leader on his team, he doesn’t want to distract from the task at hand. But all indications are that he’s likely going to finish his business in college hockey and then engage in serious talks about joining the Flames.
Harvard has a bye into the ECAC conference’s quarterfinal round, and they posted a strong enough record that they’re a strong candidate to make the NCAA national tournament as an at-large team – conference tournament winners automatically get into the national tournament, followed by the remaining teams in what’s known as the “pairwise rankings.”
The earliest that Coronato’s college season could end is the weekend of March 23-26, depending on NCAA tournament scheduling.
After that, a different hockey challenge may await him.
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