Flames draft Matthew Coronato with 13th pick
The Calgary Flames selected Matthew Coronato with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Matthew Coronato
Position: Right wing
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 183 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Chicago Steel (USHL)
Nationality: American
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 48 | 37 | 85 |
(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)
Coronato produced a huge second season with the Steel. The USHL named him forward of the year after he led the league in goals by a whopping 16 markers. He also finished second in points and shots on goal (191), though Coronato scored at a 25.1% clip.
The New York City-born sniper stayed hot during the playoffs while leading the USHL with nine goals and 13 points. His offensive exploits helped Chicago capture the Clark Cup as league champions.
Coronato accomplished all that after notching 18 goals and 22 assists over 45 games with the team in 2019-20.
NHL Central Scouting placed him ninth among North American skaters on its final rankings.
What they're saying
"Coronato is an undersized forward with a lot of skill who can make plays with pace," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote. "He’s a strong skater, not elite for a small guy, but good enough to be an NHL player." Pronman added that he projects Coronato to become a "versatile" second-line NHL winger.
"(He's) considered one of the top skaters in the class," wrote Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino. "A driver of play and not a sidecar on the best team in the (USHL)."
"There’s no questioning Coronato’s effort level or his ability to make something happen in (the slot)," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote. "He’s a determined, feisty player with the small-area skill package needed to play that kind of game."
"He’s also got rare spatial awareness which helps him understand where he is in relation to pressure and play off it," Wheeler added. "And then he’s got a hard, quick release which rattles off the heel of his blade and (a) great feel around the net."