Let’s call a spade a spade, friends. Historically, the Calgary Flames have drafted a ton of Western Hockey League players. It helps that they’re located snugly in Western Canada and for the better part of the franchise’s existence have had teams in Calgary for them to scout. As a result of this reliance on WHL players, some of the franchise’s most decorated players – Mike Vernon, Theoren Fleury, Robyn Regehr and some fella by the name of Jarome Iginla – have been WHL products.
The Flames will probably draft a forward this year. But if they go for a blueliner, they very well may go to the WHL and pick a player they’ve seen a lot of: Kelowna Rockets defender Cal Foote.