NHL Trade Update: Calgary Flames sign NCAA free agent Tyson Gross to entry-level contract

The Calgary Flames have signed NCAA free-agent forward and St. Cloud State Huskies junior forward captain, Tyson Gross, to an entry-level contract, adding one of the most sought-after college free agents of the 2026 class to their organization, according to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. Gross recently completed his junior season with the St. Cloud State Huskies, where he served as team captain. According to reports, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound centre recorded 18 goals and 41 points in 36 games during the 2025-26 NCAA season, leading the Huskies in scoring and ranking among the top scorers in the country. The forward was last seen playing his final collegiate game on March 7 as the Huskies lost to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the first round of the NCHC playoffs. Let’s take a closer look at the entry-level contract that Gross would sign with the Flames.The Calgary Flames have added a highly sought-after college free agent to their prospect pool, signing St. Cloud State captain Tyson Gross to an entry-level contract. The 23-year-old Calgary-born centre was considered one of the top NCAA unrestricted free agents available this spring. According to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, the expectation is that Gross will make his NHL debut with the Flames before the end of this season. Eric Francis also posted on X/Twitter about the same and stated, "The Calgary Flames have signed the most sought-after college free agent, Tyson Gross. The 23-year-old centre is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound Calgary native who was captain at St Cloud State. He sits top 20 in scoring in the nation and will make his NHL debut before the season’s end."In his post, he further added, “The product of Springbank minor hockey was the only college free agent the Flames chased. Exciting day for a kid who had grown up around the Dome. The Flames have room to sign two more players, which will likely include C Jonathan Castagna and D Abram Wiebe.”Reports suggest that the 23-year-old young player has scored 18 goals and 41 points in 36 games as a junior at St. Cloud State University during the 2025-26 season. According to Daily Faceoff, the undrafted player has played his junior career with the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons and the USHL’s Fargo Force and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.Earlier, Gross joined the Huskies as a 21-year-old freshman in 2023-24, scoring seven goals and 20 points in 34 games. Further, he scored nine goals and 25 points in 36 games the following season before putting himself in front of multiple NHL teams with his excellent junior year, in which he showcased his playmaking abilities and led all of NCAA Division with his excellent playmaking skills.