Blueliner joins the franchise's development team after parts of seven seasons in Calgary
Defenseman Michael Stone is moving to the next chapter after announcing his retirement from playing and joining the player development team for the Calgary Flames.
Stone, 33, spent parts of seven seasons with the Flames in a 12-year career. He collected 41 goals and 145 points in 552 NHL games.
“I feel very happy to be able to leave the game the way I have and directly into this role with the Flames organization,” Stone said via statement. “I believe it would have been a lot more difficult had this opportunity not been available.”
“I’m excited to learn and gain some new experiences in a different capacity in the NHL,” he added. “I’m looking forward to working with the young defensemen and help them achieve their ultimate goal of playing with the Calgary Flames.”
Selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the third round, 69th overall, in the 2008 draft, Stone turned pro in 2010-11 after four seasons with the WHL Calgary Hitmen, with whom he won a championship in 2010.
He was acquired by the Flames in the 2016-17 campaign. He played 228 games and collected 17 goals and 49 points for Calgary. The past few seasons he had become a depth blueliner for the team, signing league-minimum contracts.
“The combination of Michael just finishing his NHL playing career and that his specialty is defensemen specific was exactly the role that we have been trying to fill,” said Flames player development director Ray Edwards. “After drafting Etienne (Morin) and Axel (Hurtig), that’s a good area for Mike to jump into immediately and assisting with our Wranglers defensemen prospects. It’s a perfect fit.”
Stone joins Edwards, Martin Gelinas, Darren Rommerdahl, Rebecca Johnston, Danielle Fujita and Rick Davis in the Flames player development team.