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Flames Sign Three Players
Saturday, Jul. 2nd, 2011
CALGARY, AB – The Calgary Flames announced today the signing of forwards Ben Walter, Jon Rheault and defenceman Clay Wilson.
Ben Walter, 27, was originally drafted by Boston in the 5th round (160th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Following three seasons with UMass Lowell (Hockey East), where he was a Hobey Baker finalist, Walter turned pro with Boston’s AHL club in Providence, RI. In 2006-07, his second in Providence, Walter posted 67 points in 73 games to place second on the team in scoring and was named the team’s MVP. Following trades that brought him to the NY Islanders and New Jersey Devils, the son of former NHL forward Ryan Walter, Ben signed as a free agent with Colorado. Last season with the Avalanche’s AHL team in Lake Erie, he led the club in scoring with 70 points and was second with 23 goals. He has appeared in 24 career NHL games.
“Ben is a consistent goal scorer and point producer at the AHL level who is also very good on draws,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. “He is a player our scouts identified during the season last year as someone with very good hockey sense who would significantly add to our depth. At the same time, his character and work ethic are such that we are pleased to have him leading the way for our younger players in Abbotsford. We are very pleased to add him to the organization.”
Jon Rheault signed as a free agent with the Flames organization in 2010 and played 79 games with the Abbotsford Heat, recording 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points. He originally joined the Heat on an ATO agreement late in the 2009-10 season, playing the final 5 games and notching 5 points. In 13 playoff games that season for the Heat, he recorded 8 points including 6 goals. Rheault was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the 5th round (145 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The 25 year old played 4 years with Providence College (Hockey East) before turning pro in 2008 with Manchester of the AHL.
“Jon was one of our leading scorers in Abbotsford last season and one of our last cuts at training camp as well,” said Feaster. “He has good hands and vision and is someone who can both make plays and finish at the AHL level. Jon continues to battle and compete for an NHL contract and we know his commitment to our organization is rock solid.”
Clay Wilson joins the Flames following the previous two seasons with the Florida Panthers organization. He split the 2010-11 season between Florida and their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. In 15 games with the Panthers, he recorded 5 points from 3 goals and 2 assists. In another 66 in Rochester he notched 48 points including 12 goals. During the 2009-10 campaign, Clay scored an impressive 60 points in 75 games with the Americans to be named to the AHL's Second All-Star Team. While undrafted, the 28 year old native of Sturgeon Lake, MN signed with Anaheim in 2006 following 4 years of college hockey with Michigan Tech (WCHA) and 2 seasons in the minors as a free agent. He was traded to Columbus in 2007 and then acquired in a trade by Atlanta before signing as a free agent in Florida in 2009. Wilson has played 31 career NHL games scoring 4 goals and adding 4 assist.
“Clay Wilson is a responsible defenceman, yet a consistent point producing D’man at the AHL level,” said Feaster. “He, too, adds to the depth on our blue line and is a player who we are confident will compete for a spot in our top 7 at camp. He significantly improves our depth on the back end and we are very happy to welcome him.”
Ben Walter, 27, was originally drafted by Boston in the 5th round (160th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Following three seasons with UMass Lowell (Hockey East), where he was a Hobey Baker finalist, Walter turned pro with Boston’s AHL club in Providence, RI. In 2006-07, his second in Providence, Walter posted 67 points in 73 games to place second on the team in scoring and was named the team’s MVP. Following trades that brought him to the NY Islanders and New Jersey Devils, the son of former NHL forward Ryan Walter, Ben signed as a free agent with Colorado. Last season with the Avalanche’s AHL team in Lake Erie, he led the club in scoring with 70 points and was second with 23 goals. He has appeared in 24 career NHL games.
“Ben is a consistent goal scorer and point producer at the AHL level who is also very good on draws,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. “He is a player our scouts identified during the season last year as someone with very good hockey sense who would significantly add to our depth. At the same time, his character and work ethic are such that we are pleased to have him leading the way for our younger players in Abbotsford. We are very pleased to add him to the organization.”
Jon Rheault signed as a free agent with the Flames organization in 2010 and played 79 games with the Abbotsford Heat, recording 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points. He originally joined the Heat on an ATO agreement late in the 2009-10 season, playing the final 5 games and notching 5 points. In 13 playoff games that season for the Heat, he recorded 8 points including 6 goals. Rheault was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the 5th round (145 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The 25 year old played 4 years with Providence College (Hockey East) before turning pro in 2008 with Manchester of the AHL.
“Jon was one of our leading scorers in Abbotsford last season and one of our last cuts at training camp as well,” said Feaster. “He has good hands and vision and is someone who can both make plays and finish at the AHL level. Jon continues to battle and compete for an NHL contract and we know his commitment to our organization is rock solid.”
Clay Wilson joins the Flames following the previous two seasons with the Florida Panthers organization. He split the 2010-11 season between Florida and their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. In 15 games with the Panthers, he recorded 5 points from 3 goals and 2 assists. In another 66 in Rochester he notched 48 points including 12 goals. During the 2009-10 campaign, Clay scored an impressive 60 points in 75 games with the Americans to be named to the AHL's Second All-Star Team. While undrafted, the 28 year old native of Sturgeon Lake, MN signed with Anaheim in 2006 following 4 years of college hockey with Michigan Tech (WCHA) and 2 seasons in the minors as a free agent. He was traded to Columbus in 2007 and then acquired in a trade by Atlanta before signing as a free agent in Florida in 2009. Wilson has played 31 career NHL games scoring 4 goals and adding 4 assist.
“Clay Wilson is a responsible defenceman, yet a consistent point producing D’man at the AHL level,” said Feaster. “He, too, adds to the depth on our blue line and is a player who we are confident will compete for a spot in our top 7 at camp. He significantly improves our depth on the back end and we are very happy to welcome him.”
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