CALGARY - Dustin Wolf says he’s grateful the Calgary Flames gave him the chance to prove he can thrive in the NHL.
The goaltender will have plenty of chances to pay back that trust after signing a seven-year, US$52.5-million contract extension Tuesday.
Wolf finished second in Calder Trophy voting last season as NHL rookie of the year. He posted a 29-16-8 record with a .910 save percentage and a 2.64 goals-against average.
But there were few guarantees of a promising start after Wolf slipped way down the table at the 2019 NHL draft before being selected by the Flames with the fourth-last pick, 214th overall. He put up a stellar season with the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips in 2018-19 — a 41-15-4 record with a 1.69 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage — but was overlooked due to his slight frame in an era of hulking NHL netminders.
“I’ve always used size and the draft pick selection and all that stuff as motivating factors,” the six-foot, 166-pound Wolf said at a media availability Tuesday in Calgary. “They took another swing at giving me a chance to play a lot of hockey last year, and every time I step on that ice I want to prove them right.”
Wolf’s extension will kick in for the 2026-27 season and run through 2033. On calling Calgary home for eight more years, Wolf says, “there’s a lot to look forward to.”
“We have a good outlook on our team here,” he said, noting a new arena is planned to open for the 2027-28 season.
“That’s a big drawing point for free agents.”
The 24-year-old American finished 11th in wins and save percentage among NHL goalies in his rookie campaign, backstopping Calgary to the brink of a playoff berth. They finished tied with St. Louis at 96 points, but the Blues got the final Western Conference post-season spot through a tiebreaker.
He said previously he has “no doubt” Calgary makes the playoffs this season.
“We’re coming back with pretty much the same exact team,” he said Monday at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas.Â
“There’s a lot of fire that we lost out to a tiebreaker, which is unfortunate, but I think there’s a lot of guys in the room — a lot of young guys — that are stepping up and are looking to produce more, myself included.”
“There’s a lot of good things coming in Calgary now. I’ve no doubt we get in this year,” he added.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska called Wolf a young “quality” player who wants to win.
“I think it’s great news for Dustin and his family, and I think it’s — selfishly for me — even better for our organization,” Huska said Tuesday.
“We all know the type of goaltender he is, and I think we’re just going to see him get better and better for us along the way.”
General manager Craig Conroy says Wolf agreeing to a long-term contract sends a positive message.
“People want to be in Calgary and they believe we have a chance to win here,” he said.
The young netminder’s ascension has been no surprise to Conroy. Wolf, who also played 17 games in Calgary during the 2023-24 season, was named the American Hockey League’s goalie of the year in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
“He’s really been showing us all along,” Conroy said.Â
He especially showed his quality during last year’s playoff push, Conroy said.
“I think that was the big thing, to see him rise to the occasion,” Conroy said. “We needed every win, and he was there down the stretch.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2025.
Note to readers:A previous version erroneously stated the Flames signed Wolf on Monday. The deal was in fact announced Tuesday.
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