UND Defenseman Abram Wiebe Set to Join NHL's Calgary Flames: A Journey from College Hockey to the Pros
UND defenseman Abram Wiebe, a 6-foot-3 junior from Mission, B.C., is set to join the NHL ranks with the Calgary Flames. He is expected to sign a contract with the Flames and join the team for their remaining games this season. The Flames have four games left, including matchups against Seattle, Utah, Colorado, and Los Angeles. Wiebe could potentially make his NHL debut this season after the Flames acquired his rights from the Vegas Golden Knights in January.
During his time at UND, Wiebe showed significant improvement each year. As a freshman, he scored one goal and recorded 10 points, which increased to four goals and 24 points in his sophomore year. Despite the opportunity to sign with Vegas last summer, Wiebe decided to return for his junior season, where he played a key role in UND's success. He helped the team win the NCHC's Penrose Cup and reach the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time in a decade, finishing the season with five goals, 29 points, and a plus-13 rating.
Wiebe's impressive performance also earned him a spot on the second-team all-NCHC. In addition to his collegiate success, Wiebe represented the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, where the team finished in second place. With UND's season coming to an end in the Frozen Four semifinals, Wiebe is expected to be one of the early signings from the team.
In addition to Wiebe, junior defenseman Jake Livanavage has attracted attention as an undrafted free agent, indicating that UND's roster may see further changes in the upcoming season. As Wiebe prepares to make the transition to the NHL with the Calgary Flames, his journey from college hockey to the professional league is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.