Call-ups from the Stockton Heat are usually dependant on injuries at the NHL level so pinpointing when prospects will get opportunities with the Flames is difficult but we can run through how a few of the Heat's top players are doing this year:
Stockton rookie Mark Jankowski leads the team in scoring with 14 goals and 30 points. He recently represented the Heat at the AHL All-Star Weekend and set a franchise record when he recorded Stockton's first hat trick on Jan. 20. He was recalled earlier this season, making his NHL debut in Brooklyn on Nov. 28, and could be the first in line for a call-up if a forward is summoned from Stockon.
Another rookie who has had a tremendous season thus far is Andrew Mangiapane. With 10 goals and 23 points on the year, he sits fourth in team scoring and his 79 shots on net ranks third amongst all Stockton skaters.
Morgan Klimchuk is in the midst of his best pro season, sitting second in team scoring with 13 goals and 28 points and is a plus-7 through 40 games. Klimchuk has developed a strong all-around game over the past two years, playing a responsible brand of hockey in all three zones - something hockey ops members always take into consideration when evaluating which players to recall.
In terms of defenceman, Swedes Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington have played key roles on the Stockton blueline and could be in line for a call-up if the Flames defence corps suffers an injury. Tyler Wotherspoon is another option, given his NHL experience and strong play with the Heat.
Jon Gillies has played the bulk of games in net but David Rittich has been impressive in his 16 appearances as well. Both would be viable options if Johnson or Elliott suffers an injury.
Players in the Canadian Hockey League (Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) can only be recalled on an emergency basis. The most recent Flames emergency junior call-up was Sven Baertschi in March of 2012. Currently, Calgary has six prospects playing in the CHL: forward Dillon Dube with Kelowna (WHL), forward Eetu Tuulola with Everett (WHL), forward Matthew Phillips with Victoria (WHL), defenceman Riley Bruce with North Bay (OHL), goaltender Nick Schneider with Medicine Hat (WHL), and goaltender Tyler Parsons with London (WHL).
Players in the NCAA cannot be recalled as they are not under contract. The Flames have three prospects playing in the NCAA this season with defenceman Adam Fox at Harvard, defenceman Brandon Hickey at Boston University and forward Tim Harrison at Colgate.