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Cole Schwindt is eyeing a regular role with the Flames after last season’s performance
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Photo credit: Angela Burger/Calgary Wranglers
Paige Siewert
Jul 11, 2024, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 11, 2024, 10:54 EDT
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Cole Schwindt is usually editorialized as a piece of the Matthew Tkachuk trade but has since grown his reputation in the Flames organization to be a solid centerman with a lot of potential. He’s writing his own storylines with his play and shooting for the big show to be his next accomplishment. At just 23, Schwindt is someone who has earned opportunities in the NHL and is going to try and make that a normalized feature come 2024-25.

The past

Cole Schwindt was born in Breslau, Ontario and played youth hockey in Kitchener before joining the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL in the 2017-18 season. He played three seasons with the Steelheads before being drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Schwindt was picked 81st overall in the third round. 
In the season after he was drafted, Schwindt made his professional debut with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. He only made it into 10 games due to the restrictions of the pandemic and put up a goal and an assist. In the following season in 2021-22, he played 72 games with the Charlotte Checkers putting up 40 points consisting of 19 goals and 21 assists. This caught the eye of the parent club and he made his NHL debut in that season. 
Schwindt’s first NHL game was on December 16, 2021, against the Los Angeles Kings. He just got the one appearance then played in a couple of back-to-back games at the end of the season on April 28th and 29th, 2022. In his three game appearance with the Panthers, he did not put up any points. 
In July 2022, Schwindt was part of a blockbuster trade that brought Mackenzie Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau to Calgary in return for Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional pick. When asked about his association with this trade, Schwindt said:
“Being a part of that trade is massive. People look back at that trade with some huge names getting traded. So it’s kinda cool to be a part of that. I’ve got a lot of work to do til I can say I was a big piece of that trade but it’s exciting. Kinda being in the conversation with those players and getting to come over with their two great guys that I’ve been able to build a relationship with both of them. It’s exciting. I don’t mind it at all.”
In the 2022-23 season, Cole Schwindt made his debut in the Flames’ AHL system as part of the inaugural team for the Calgary Wranglers. He played in nearly every game with 70 appearances. His stat line consisted of 14 goals and 18 assists for a total of 32 points. In playoffs that year, he played in eight games putting up three goals and an assist. 

The present

In the 2023-24 season, Schwindt played most of the year with the Wranglers but did end up making his Flames debut for a four game stretch. In the AHL, he played in 66 games putting up 14 goals and 22 assists for a total of 26 points.
For the Flames, Schwindt got the call-up in late January. Just before Elias Lindholm was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He played on January 23rd, 25th and 27th then again on February 15th before being sent back to the AHL. He did not put up any points in that time and is still on the hunt for his first NHL point and first NHL goal. 
Despite his brief appearance in the NHL, he still did everything he could to learn from the Flames players. He said,
“Being there and being around them, just seeing how they prepare and carry themselves. Being a sponge with everything. Take everything that people are saying and try to use that to your benefit. If it means just implementing that stuff into my game and kinda into my routine. This summer will be big for that.”
Schwindt finished out the season with the Wranglers and got some playoff action. In post-season play, he averaged just under a point per game and led the way in goals for the team. In their six-game playoff stretch, Schwindt’s production consisted of four goals and an assist. 

The future 

Schwindt’s future is anticipated to the with the Flames organization as he is currently a restricted free agent. He needs a new contract for the 2024-25 season and for him as well as the other AHL RFAs, it seems it’s just a matter of time. The role of fourth-line center has been thrown around and that is something for him to work towards this summer.
He said at the end of the Wranglers season:
“Trying to find a spot to be me and play my game. You know for me, I’ve always been more of a reliable player. I think could be a bottom six guy that can be a difference maker in situtations of the game. It’s exciting. It’s the future and what’s ahead of me. For me, I just need to make sure I’m doing everything I can to put myself in the right spot to get there.”
Schwindt had a training regimen set right after the Wranglers were eliminated from playoffs and wants to focus on putting on some weight and getting faster this summer. Come training camp, fans and organization staff will see his results. From there, your story is yours to direct, Cole Schwindt. We’ll be rooting for you this fall. 

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