Flames loan Gawdin to Swiss League team

Flames forward up-and-comer Glenn Gawdin will stay sharp with EHC Visp in the Swiss League until play resumes in North America.

Gawdin is the latest prospect to be loaned to an overseas squad as the Flames await word on when training camps will open for the 2020-21 campaign.

The 23-year-old centre was the leading scorer last winter for the Stockton Heat, racking up 16 goals and 31 assists in 53 outings and earning an invite to the American Hockey League All- Star Classic.

Gawdin has yet to log his NHL debut, but the right-hander is certainly knocking on the door for duties at the Saddledome. He is likely fifth on Calgary's depth chart at centre.

The Flames now have a half-dozen prospects on loan to clubs across Europe.

The headliner is Juuso Valimaki, the blue-chip defenceman who missed all of last season due to knee surgery and is currently shining for Tamperren Ilves in Finland's Liiga. The list also includes goalie Artyom Zagidulin (Metallurg Magnitigorsk/khl) and forwards Martin Pospisil (HC Kosice/slovakia), Eetu Tuulola ( Vasterviks/ Sweden) and Dmitry Zavgorodniy (SKA St. Petersburg/khl).

Once the NHL and AHL confirm their plans for 2020-21, they will all return to Calgary for training camp.