Matthew Tkachuk did not participate in the on-ice portion of the U.S. National Junior Team evaluation camp.
And that does not worry the Calgary Flames one bit.
“No it was kind of the plan,” said Flames assistant general manager Craig Conroy of their top prospect and sixth overall selection at the 2016 National Hockey League draft. “We just want to make sure he’s 100 per cent ready to go. He could have easily played but even USA Hockey said, ‘We know what he’s all about and that’s it.’ He looks great, we’ve seen him but this is just to give him a bit of a breather.