BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Calgary Flames selected American forward Matthew Tkachuk with the fifth overall pick at the NHL draft on Friday.
Tkachuk was one of the key members of the London Knights' dominant Memorial Cup winning team this season, finishing fifth in Ontario Hockey League scoring with 107 points in 57 games.
Tkachuk, an 18-year-old who was born in Scottsdale, Ariz., lined up mostly alongside Christian Dvorak, a Coyotes prospect, and Mitch Marner, a Maple Leafs prospect, on an always threatening Knights top line.
The left-winger is the son of long-time NHL power winger Keith Tkachuk.
He's described by NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr as a high-end scorer, someone "willing to go to the hard areas to score goals." Tkachuk likens his style on the ice to James van Riemsdyk, another imposing American winger.
Calgary will have a new look in 2016-17, both behind the bench and in net.
General Manager Brad Treliving recently hired Glen Gulutzan as the Flames new head coach after dismissing Bob Hartley. Calgary then addressed its goaltending questions by acquiring Brian Elliott in a trade with St. Louis on Friday. The Blues get a 2016 second-round pick (35th overall) and a conditional third-round pick in 2018.
The Flames finished the season 12th in the Western Conference — seven points ahead of last place Edmonton.
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