A talented collegiate player has signed his first National Hockey League contract.
On Monday, the Calgary Flames signed forward Sam Morton to a one-year, two-way contract that will kick in next season, with an AAV of $950,000.
Morton will join the Flames’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign on an amateur tryout.
The 24-year-old is coming off an impressive senior season at Minnesota State University. Despite being hampered by injuries during the 2022-23 campaign, Morton exploded for 24 points and 10 assists with the Mavericks this season, earning CCHA Player of the Year honors. He was part of the two teams in Mankato that made it all the way to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2021 and 2022, losing in the national championship game to Denver in 2022.
Morton, who started his collegiate career at Union College in 2018, scored 47 goals and 42 assists in 144 college games. He was a two-time Mason Cup winner as Minnesota State won back-to-back conference championships before this season.
The former member of the Wenatchee Wild went undrafted before heading to play college hockey, but he proved that his scoring ability and speed were good enough to earn him a shot in the professional ranks.
As a result, the Flames have 30 contracts signed through the end of next season out of a possible 50. According to CapFriendly, Calgary is projected to have a little under $19 million in cap space, barring any other signings between now and the offseason.
The Flames (33-29-5) are currently fifth in the Pacific Division, eight points behind the Los Angeles Kings for third, and eight behind the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
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