Ontario, Calif. – The Stockton Heat, proudly owned by the NHL’s Calgary Flames, announce that Calgary Flames goaltending prospect Nick Schneider will join the Stockton Heat after his junior season ended this past week. In a separate move, the Heat also have released Gabriel Verpaelst from his pro tryout contract and have returned him to the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL.

Schneider, 18, was signed to an entry level contract after impressing during the Calgary Flames training camp in September 2015. In 2015-16, Schneider played a career high 50 games for his junior club, the Medicine Hat Tigers going 21-26-1 while posting 2 shutouts.

NICK SCHNEIDER (G)

BORN: Drayton Valley, AB, CAN DATE: July 21, 1997

HEIGHT: 6’2” WEIGHT: 181 lbs.

CATCHES: Right

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed an entry level contract with the Calgary Flames on 9/23/15

Season Team Lge GP Min GA EN SO GAA W L T Svs Pct 2013-14 Regina WHL 9 438 26 1 0 3.56 2 2 2 174 .870 Medicine Hat WHL 8 380 9 0 1 1.42 6 0 0 150 .943 2014-15 Medicine Hat WHL 27 1426 67 4 0 2.82 15 7 1 592 .898 2015-16 Medicine Hat WHL 50 2771 167 7 2 3.62 21 26 1 1432 .896 TOTALS WHL 94 5015 269 12 3 3.22 44 35 4 2348 .897

Verpaelst, 22, played eight games in his first AHL stint of his career. He’s played 51 games for Norfolk in his second year pro, scoring 6 goals and adding 24 assists.

The Stockton Heat return home this Wednesday and Friday, March 30 and April 1, against the San Diego Gulls and Ontario Reign.

On Wednesday, the first 1,000 fans entering the building will receive an oversized Kevin Poulin trading card while Friday sees the first 500 kids 12-years-old and younger receiving a Jon Gillies bobblehead.

For tickets call 209.373.1500 or visit StocktonHeat.com.