Sam Morton Shows Seasoning in Flames' Young Stars Classic Opener

Considering Sam Morton is one of the oldest prospects at the Young Stars Classics, it shouldn't be surprising that he looked like a seasoned veteran among the prospects during the Calgary Flames opener at the rookie tournament in Penticton on Friday night.

The 25-year-old centre scored the Flames' first goal on a drive to the net (courtesy of a fortunate bounce) and made a perfect pass on the second tally (by blueliner Hunter Brzustewicz) as Calgary clawed back from a 2-0 deficit in a back-and-forth battle.

Morton also made a big hit off a draw in overtime as his Flames fell 4-3.

Playing with a couple of the Flames' most intriguing prospects in William Stromgren and Matvei Gridin (two of the team's three first-round picks at the Young Stars Classic), Morton looked a lot like the guy who impressed down the stretch with the AHL Calgary Wranglers after a lengthy NCAA career ended.

Related: Flames Prospect Watch: Can Stromgren Make An Impact?

Morton was granted an extra year of college eligibility because of COVID-19 and he turned it into an impressive campaign before signing with the Flames and joining the Wranglers in March last season. He scored 24 goals and 34 points in 37 games with Minnesota State University, then added five scores and seven points in 13 games down the stretch with the Wranglers.

In the playoffs, Morton added another three goals and four points in six games in the first round.

The eight goals and 11 points in 19 AHL games is indicative of Morton's potental as a 'late bloomer'. He's not flashy but with a heavy level of compete, some serious hockey sense and vision, and enough agility to get around the ice fairly quickly makes him someone to watch throughout the weekend and into the pre-season schedule for the main squad.

He's a dark horse for fourth-line centre.

View the original article to see embedded media.