Flames’ prospect will stay at Harvard

Calgary Flames defence prospect Adam Fox is staying in school.

The 20-year-old confirmed Thursday to Postmedia that he will return for his junior campaign next winter with the Harvard Crimson.

“Right now, it’s tough to leave Harvard,” Fox said. “The Flames have been really good with my development and with helping me get better along the way. But for right now, just staying and focusing on school and hockey, that’s my focus.”

Ever since the Crimson were eliminated from NCAA Championship contention, some Flames fans have been keeping their fingers crossed that Fox would be willing to procrastinate on his homework and instead sign a professional contract.

He’s not ready to leave the prestigious Ivy League institution just yet.

A third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, Fox is one of the most exciting and intriguing up-andcomers in the Calgary’s prospect pipeline.

The 5-foot-11, 185-lb. righthander from Jericho, N.Y., has twice represented Team USA at the world juniors.

He’s one of the NCAA’s most productive point-men, having piled up 28 points — six goals and 22 helpers — in 29 collegiate clashes as a sophomore. Fox was feted earlier this month as a first-team conference all-star in the ECAC.

“I think it went pretty well,” Fox said of his second season at Harvard, where he’s working on a psychology degree with a minor in economics. “For me, trying to play more of a 200-foot game was one of my focuses coming into this year and I think I’ve done a good job of that.”

Fox probably isn’t ready for prime time, but there is always a fear NCAA prospects will complete their collegiate careers and elect to become unrestricted free agents instead of joining the organization that originally drafted them.

Before you start to panic, Fox is nearly 29 months from being able to hit the open market.

For what it’s worth, the Flames have been able to lock up their postsecondary studs in recent years.

They signed Johnny Gaudreau — now the offensive engine at the Saddledome — after three seasons with the Boston College Eagles, capped by a Hobey Baker Award-winning campaign in 2013-14.

Jon Gillies inked his entry-level deal shortly after backstopping the Providence Friars to a national crown as a junior in 2015.

Mark Jankowski, meanwhile, completed his four years of eligibility at Providence before he was offered a professional pact.