Calgary Flames sign Matt Coronato to entry-level contract
The Calgary Flames have signed forward Matt Coronato to an entry-level contract, the club announced Sunday afternoon.
The news became official only minutes after Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli reported that the two sides had agreed to terms on a deal.
Coronato, 20, collected 20 goals and 36 points in 34 games as a sophomore at Harvard University during the 2022–23 season. The Flames selected the five-foot-ten right wing in the first round (No. 13 overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
FlamesNation contributor and Sportsnet 960 radio host Pat Steinberg confirmed on Sunday evening that Coronato’s deal with the Flames will take effect immediately, with the 2022–23 season counting as the first “year” of the contract. Coronato will be eligible to become a restricted free agent in 2025.
MATTHEW SCORE-ONATO!
The #Flames have signed forward Matthew Coronato to a three-year entry-level deal: https://t.co/Lhfd8nhjaC pic.twitter.com/Pj6VhPpsuM
Coronato joined the Harvard Crimson in time for the 2021–22 season after a productive USHL career with the Chicago Steel, from which he departed as the franchise’s all-time goal-scoring leader.
Over his two-year tenure at Harvard, Coronato recorded 38 goals and 72 points in 68 games. He wrapped up his collegiate career with a pointless outing in an 8–1 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday.
Coronato also suited up for Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, amassing four goals and seven points in five games. He is the second member of the Flames’ 2021 draft class to sign with the team, joining sixth-round pick and Seattle Thunderbirds captain Lucas Ciona (No. 173 overall).
With Coronato now on their roster, the Flames will return to action at 7:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday to take on the Los Angeles Kings at the Scotiabank Saddledome.