CALGARY – It`s hard to fully imagine the emotions of signing a $45.5 million contract at just 22 years old while surrounded by your parents and siblings in your childhood home.
However, one thing is certain: the celebratory dinner bill that evening is definitely being covered by the young man who just secured his financial future.
“Yeah, I think maybe I should,” Matt Coronato chuckled, speaking only hours after finalizing a seven-year contract extension with the Calgary Flames, carrying an annual average value of $6.5 million.
Coronato can anticipate paying for many meals going forward, expressing his gratitude to the many people who helped him develop from a first-round draft pick into a recognized cornerstone of the franchise.
His journey spanned four years and included several assignments to the AHL, which came to a definitive end about a month into his second season with the team this year.
One week after being called up from the Wranglers around Halloween, Coronato experienced a memorable night in Montreal that marked a significant turning point.
Coronato, known as a USHL sniper and Harvard standout with an elite shot that hadn`t yet become a consistent NHL scoring threat, scored the game-tying goal in the final minutes of the game.
Then, just seven seconds into overtime, he scored the winning goal, showcasing the sharp release that Flames fans had been eager to see.
Many viewed this performance as his breakthrough moment, not only signaling the end of his time in the minors but also his trajectory towards becoming the consistent scoring threat the Calgary Flames will depend on for many years to come.
“When I look back, it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment that was a turning point, because I truly feel like I learned a lot over the course of the entire year,” stated Coronato, who finished the season with 24 goals.
“But undeniably, that game in Montreal gave me a considerable boost of confidence and felt really good.”
“Playing alongside `Backs` (Mikael Backlund) and `Colesy` (Blake Coleman) after I was called up, and observing their composed approach to the game, was perhaps the most beneficial.”
“They played a massive role. I cannot thank the two of them enough for how much I learned this year.”
Indeed, they, too, can certainly expect a few dinners paid for by `ol’ Matty`s credit card.
After his 2023-24 rookie season, during which Coronato spent half the year in the AHL focusing on defensive play, puck battles, and skating, these two experienced veterans helped him become so reliable that he was frequently trusted on the ice late in games to protect leads.
His offensive output of 24 goals and 47 points in 77 games placed him third on the team in scoring, and he also led all forwards with a +6 plus-minus rating.
This combination of defensive responsibility and high offensive potential made securing him with a long-term contract an obvious choice, establishing him as one of the Flames` most vital building blocks for the future.
“I want to be a player who helps this team achieve wins for a long time,” Coronato affirmed.
“I really appreciate the direction the team is heading. I value all my teammates and the staff as well, and I believe the future is bright for Calgary. I’m excited to see what they continue to build.”
Craig Conroy mentioned that the preliminary discussions for the contract were initiated during a late-season trip to New York, where Coronato delivered crucial goals in all three games played in front of his friends and family.
