The Flames have an extensive history of showcasing players with unusual career paths to the NHL. Most notably, long-time captain Mark Giordano made the big leagues despite never being drafted into the Ontario Hockey League or the NHL. More recently, the team added Derek Ryan, a centre who worked his way up through Canadian university hockey and stints in Austria and Sweden before finally becoming a very reliable two-way NHLer in his 30s.
Coming in at the 16th spot on our list is another diminutive pivot who, after going undrafted, starred at the University of Alberta and worked his way to an NHL contract.