After the trade deadline, the only ways to add to your team are through your AHL team or to sign college free agents. There is a long list of college free agent successes, including Tyler Bozak, Chris Tanev, Torey Krug, and Chris Kunitz. We always see a number of college free agents signed between after the trade deadline and the end of the regular season as their collegiate seasons come to an end.
This year will be no different, and it appears the Flames are interested in one of the top dogs this year. A right-shot centre and Calgary kid, the match seems perfect for the Flames and Tyson Gross out of St. Cloud State University.
Who is Tyson Gross?
Gross is a Calgary product who grew up playing with a variety of Calgary hockey organizations. He played with the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL before moving stateside to play in the USHL. After two seasons in the USHL, Gross moved over to St. Cloud State University in the NCAA.
His game has improved year after year, and his goal production doubled this year with 18 in 36 games. With 41 points, Gross is currently tied for 15th in scoring in the entire NCAA. Gross wore the C for St. Cloud this year. He is a good two-hundred-foot player and has a work ethic and compete—all traits the Flames organization looks for.
The Calgary Flames are front-runners to sign Tyson Gross
A source tells The Win Column that the Calgary Flames are front-runners to sign Gross to an entry-level contract. The 23-year-old is 6’3″, 194 lbs and a right-shot centre. That is obviously a need for the Flames organization, and the Flames present Gross with an opportunity to play NHL games sooner than most organizations.
The Flames will be a competitive team to sign college free agents in the next few years, given where they are with their roster. For Gross, it would be a homecoming signing with the team he grew up cheering for. Another note: his Dad, Kevin Gross, is the Vice President, Partnerships and Sales of the Calgary Flames.
The Flames have a history of signing college free agent centres. Two years ago, they signed Sam Morton to an entry-level deal. Last year, they signed local product Carter King. Both are playing with the Calgary Wranglers. Morton has seen four games of NHL action (last game of the 2024–25 season and three games in 2025–26).
