PITTSBURGH, PA - To say that Pat Sieloff is excited to be a member of the Calgary Flames would be an understatement.

The United States Development Program standout became Calgary’s second round selection after acquiring the pick in yesterday’s trade.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I was sitting there waiting and I never knew where I was going to go but once I heard my name, my stomach dropped. It’s awesome. Being selected to the Calgary Flames is awesome.”

“You can’t get the smile off my face so it’s good.”

The pick caps a whirlwind few months for the Ann Arbor, Michigan product.

In April, he won gold at the World Under-18 Championship in the Czech Republic as a member of Team USA. A short while later, he participated in the NHL Combine before opting to join the Windsor Spitfires next season.

His season came full circle with the 42nd overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

“Starting with the Worlds, going over to the Czech Republic and winning that and then carried over to the Combine and leading up to here, it’s awesome,” Sieloff said. “It was a waiting process, but I’m so happy.”

Calgary can’t wait to see what they have in Sieloff, who is one of the more punishing hitters in his draft class. It’s a part of his game that the blueliner has mastered.

“I like looking for that, but I don’t like getting out of position, but I like looking for that big hit,”

Sieloff’s game is much more than hitting, though. He has been relied on as a leader in the National Team Development Program Under-18 dressing room, and has great shutdown potential.

“Being a shutdown guy playing against top lines, keeping them off the scoreboard and getting in their head,” he said.

Which are characteristics that have the Calgary Flames excited about Sieloff.