William Stromgren has taken some time to develop but is still just 21 and has a shot to impress this weekend.

It's been three years since the Calgary Flames selected William Stromgren in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. 

He's lived in a world without the pressure cooker of expectations piled on the higher picks. The Flames allowed Stromgren to develop at home in Sweden in the elite and super elite leagues before bringing him to North America at the end of the 2023 season. 

Stromgren got his first taste of the AHL on an amateur tryout with the Calgary Wranglers after signing his entry-level contract that March — suiting up for the final two regular-season games and they watching from the press box during the playoffs. 

It's been a slow cook, but the Crock-Pot approach might be paying off. The 21-year-old had a stellar finish last season with the Wranglers. He didn't score his first goal until the last game before Christmas on Dec. 23, but finished with 23 of his 27 points in his freshman campaign coming after the calendar turned to 2024. 

He was impressive in the playoffs, too, with a highlight-reel goal and three assists in the six games the Wranglers lasted. 

Stromgren came to Calgary for the Flames development camp this summer and was a standout there. What's intriguing is that he's still very young as a prospect but has significant time playing against men in Sweden and now some seasoning in North America. 

With Jakob Pelletier signing a one-year, two-way deal this week, Stromgren should be considered on nearly even ground with the older prospects who are going to be fighting for roster spots with the Flames come October. 

A good showing at the Young Stars rookie tournament in Penticton this weekend would be a great start.