Axel Hurtig skates during the Flames prospects camp at Winsport in Calgary on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Jim Wells/Postmedia cal

Flames can keep close tabs on tall Swedish prospect Axel Hurtig

Defenceman to hone skills with Calgary Hitmen, who open WHL season this weekend, including the home opener Sunday

by · Calgary Herald

It’s a tall order for Axel Hurtig to fit seamlessly into the highest level of hockey in North America after just a handful of weeks on the continent.

Flames can keep close tabs on tall Swedish prospect Axel Hurtig Back to video

But tall is right in his wheelhouse.

And it’s actually exactly what the Calgary Flames love about the 19-year-old defenceman from Hogas, Sweden.

“I’m a big man, so it’s going to take some time to put the muscle on my body,” said Hurtig, who currently stands in at a lanky 6-foot-5, 208 lb. “But I’m just trying to get there as fast as I can.