Now In Flames Org., Schwindt Looking To Build Off Solid Rookie Season

Editor's Note: Cole Schwindt spoke with InsideAHLHockey.com just prior to the second round of the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs back in May. All quotes from Schwindt in this story came from that interview unless otherwise noted (i.e. a few quotes from Schwindt and Flames GM Brad Treliving from this summer via FlamesTV).

Cole Schwindt's name might have been overlooked by a majority of hockey fans when this summer's hockey blockbuster trade went down and the Calgary Flames traded Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weegar and Schwindt - a 21-year-old center coming off his rookie season of pro hockey in the American Hockey League with the Panthers' AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers.

But make no mistake.

The Flames, and GM Brad Treliving, liked what they had seen and heard about Schwindt's game and they value the former Panthers' 2019-3rd round pick. They project him to be a potential part of the future for the NHL club - and perhaps in the not so distant future too.

"He was a part of it. As you go through these pieces, and as I told Cole, there might be some sexier names that the public knows in this deal more than yours but you are part of this," Treliving said in an interview published on FlamesTV over the summer. "Getting [Schwindt] was part of the deal that we needed to happen, so we're happy to get Cole Schwindt."

Prospect Profile

Before Schwindt had a strong rookie season with the Charlotte Checkers in 2021-22, the COVID pandemic - and cancellation of the 2020-21 OHL season - created a situation that allowed Schwindt to play in the AHL a year early.

While the Checkers were one of three teams who opted out of the AHL's 2020-21 shortened season, the Florida Panthers were able to assign Schwindt to AHL Syracuse - where he got a taste of pro hockey in suiting up for 10 games and recording a goal and an assist.

"I kind of got to get a taste for what the American Hockey League was like, and, you know, professional hockey as a whole," Schwindt recalled of his first pro games. "It was nice to get in a few games there and kind of see what I needed to work on."

The summer of hard work paid dividends as Schwindt played a complimentary role offensively, but also was trusted to play big minutes on the penalty kill and against the opposition's top forwards - not something that first-year players are often trusted with.

"Yeah, that was huge for me [this past] year," Schwindt said of his role on the PK and earning the coaching staff's trust. "I think anytime that you could play a special team role, you know, it's a big part of the game. And it's nice to be out there when and be relied upon in certain situations."

Schwindt didn't see the ice much when the Checkers were on the power play, but it didn't prevent him from scoring 19 goals and adding 21 assists in 72 games. His 5-v-5 play immediately stands out with a quick look at the stat sheet, as 17 of his 19 goals came at even strength with the other two coming shorthanded.

The Kitchener, Ontario native was able to make his NHL debut in his rookie season last year - getting one game with the Florida Panthers when the team was hit with COVID cases.

"I think getting into that first game was a whole bunch of things," Schwindt told InsideAHLHockey.com, explaining, "You know, I think, more than anything, it was, it was an unbelievable experience and I definitely took as much as I could from there, I tried to be a sponge the whole time I was up there. And moving forward, I can definitely learn from the players that are sitting beside me on the bench there and, and as well as the players that I was playing against. Taking things that I saw on the ice there, and then now I can add them to my game, whether that's working out in the summer, or taking a little bit of extra time with the coaches out there at practice, there's always time to better yourself through different aspects of the game."

It's those traits that lead Triveling to believe Schwindt could be part of the future in the Flames organization revamped forward core.

"Our scouts really like this guy. [A] big, long, rangy centerman. We think he's got a chance to be - at the end of the day - we think he can play in the middle six," Triveling said in an interview with FlamesTV shortly after the trade, adding, "He could be real good in the 3-hole because when you look at it - his ability to kill penalties, his ability to win face-offs. [And he's] a high character kid."

Schwindt had a good showing in the dots in the preseason and also received praise at times from head coach Darryl Sutter after preseason games, though ultimately Schwindt was assigned to their AHL prior to the start of the 2022-23 season.

Through six games with the Flames' newly-relocated AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, Schwindt has recorded four assists.

"I'm still trying to earn my spot and kind of break into the National Hockey League," Schwindt said in an interview with FlamesTV shortly after this summer's trade, recognizing his new GM has offered sincere praise upon his arrival to the organization.

"I feel very confident that the place I want to be is in Calgary and, as a player, it always feels good to hear good things about yourself and it kind of gives you a little bit more of a boost. But you know, moving forward, I'm not gonna change too much just kind of be the same player that I was before the trade and obviously, try to better myself."