In advance of the Calgary Flames’ pre-season clash with the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, the Flames made a pair of reductions to their training camp roster. The club announced on Tuesday afternoon that they’ve assigned defenceman Axel Hurtig to the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen and forward Jacob Battaglia to the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs.

A sixth-round selection by the Flames in 2023, the 20-year-old Hurtig is a big, physical, smart defensive blueliner from Sweden. He was selected by the Hitmen in the 2023 CHL Import Draft but stuck around an extra season in Sweden as he recovered from shoulder surgery.

He made the jump to the Dub last season and emerged as arguably the Hitmen’s most reliable shutdown option. The Western League has a reputation for having big, fast, talented players, and adapting to that and the smaller ice can be a challenge for European defenders. Well, Hurtig figured it out quickly and became a fan favourite in the process. He was one of the top WHLers in terms of plus/minus and while his counting stats were modest, he had a superb season.

The Flames hold Hurtig’s rights until June 1, 2027 – four years after his selection – and he definitely seems to be trending in a positive direction. He’ll be leaned on heavily with the Hitmen this coming season.

A second-round pick by the Flames in 2024, Battaglia is an offensive minded winger from scenic Ontario. He had 31 goals and 65 points in 2023-24, his draft year, and then had 40 goals and 90 points in 2024-25. He signed his entry-level deal with the Flames in the spring, effectively committing to the OHL for the remainder of his amateur eligibility. With his assignment to the OHL, his ELC won’t kick in until next season.

Battaglia was a strong offensive producer last season with Kingston and it’s not unreasonable to predict that he could be one of the top scorers in the entire league this season.

Hurtig and Battaglia are both expected to make their regular season debuts with their respective junior clubs this coming weekend.

With these two moves, the Flames’ camp roster is down to 52 players: six goaltenders, 16 defencemen and 30 forwards. The only junior player remaining in camp is forward Hunter Laing, who’s likely headed back to the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades fairly soon.