Calgary Flames Sign Hobey Baker Award Nominee As College Free Agent

The college free agent season is upon us, and the Calgary Flames have pounced and signed a Hobey Baker nominee as the NCAA's top player this year, center Sam Morton out of Minnesota State University.

Welcome to the #CofRed, Sam!

We have signed college free agent centre Sam Morton to a one-year, two-way contract!#Flames | @original16beer pic.twitter.com/rU69UiYTUu
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 18, 2024

As the Flames note, it's a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $950,000 if in the NHL. His AHL salary will be $82.5K, and the contract also includes a signing bonus of $95,000. He'll now get to play out the rest of the season on an amateur tryout (ATO) with the Flames' AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, who have 14 games remaining in the regular season, plus a playoff run ahead of them.

The 24-year-old had 24 goals and 34 points in 37 games with Minnesota State, and his strong season earned him CCHA First All-Star Team honors, the Forward of the Year award, as well as that nomination for the prestigious Hobey Baker as top collegiate player. In 102 games over four years at MSU, he posted an impressive +46 rating.

One look at Morton's smile will tell you that he's all hockey player:

He plays centre, but judging by his smile, I’d suggest new Flames NCAA free agent signing, Sam Morton, is here to replace Chris Tanev. pic.twitter.com/57EXhZcMf6
— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) March 18, 2024