Calgary Flames blueline prospect Axel Hurtig is making his move to the Calgary Hitmen

Well, that’s going to change this season: after staying in Sweden last season as he worked his way back from his shoulder injury, Hurtig will be playing the 2024-25 season at the Saddledome with the Hitmen. He spoke with FlamesNation at Flames development camp and reflected on getting back from his injury.

“It took some time to get back,” said Hurtig. “You know, you’re almost scared when you go out the first time with the new shoulder, you don’t know how it feels when you get hit. But I got back pretty fast, came back a month earlier than I was supposed to.”

Because Hurtig remained in Sweden last season, he was afforded some unique opportunities. In addition to playing 30 games for his junior team, Rögle BK, he was invited to dress for seven games with their men’s team in the Swedish Hockey League, and he played another 13 games on loan to Kristianstads IK in Sweden’s third pro tier, HockeyEttan. He felt his game grew due to his pro experiences.

“I felt it was great for me,” said Hurtig. “The bigger guys, they’re smarter, stronger than the junior guys. I felt like I took advantage of that, played my game, big game against stronger guys and felt good.”

The Hitmen are adding Hurtig to the fold during a really interesting time for the hockey club. They’ve recently completely changed over their coaching staff, with former Seattle Kraken assistant coach Paul McFarland taking over as head coach. A pair of Hitmen players were selected in the 2024 NHL Draft: blueliner Carter Yakemchuk in the first round by Ottawa and forward Carson Wetsch in the third round by San Jose.

“I’m really excited to get started with the season, get started with camp,” said Hurtig. “It’s going to be a big year, I hope. Going to make the most of it, work hard, make the team better with my game.”

Adding Hurtig to the roster gives the Hitmen a trio of NHL-drafted players to go with a pretty young roster. The Hitmen are going through a retooling process not dissimilar from their NHL counterpart, and Hurtig will immediately be one of the older players on the roster – and the only one who’s played professional games thanks to his tenure in Sweden.

“I want to play my game as best as I can on the Hitmen,” said Hurtig. “It’s a smaller rink, it’s going to take time to get used to the closer guys. But I want to work hard, make the team better on PK, five-on-five, get a good defensive structure, take the leadership in that, playing good defence for the team. I know it’s a lot of young guys on the team, just trying to lead them onto the right path.”

Hurtig’s a fascinating prospect who could find himself playing for Sweden at this winter’s World Juniors, if his invite to the Summer Showcase is any indication. He seems keenly aware of the opportunities potentially open to him over the next while and seems really excited about what’s ahead of him.

Now that he’s playing in the same building as the Flames, fans and Flames staff alike will likely learn a ton about Hurtig over the next 12 months.