Maple Leafs trade centre Joe Colborne to Flames for fourth-round pick

TORONTO – The Calgary Flames have acquired centre Joe Colborne from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft.

Colborne, 23, was among the players fighting for one of the final spots on the Leafs roster but did not stand out in the pre-season. He joins a host of other young players who are expected to be given big minutes by the rebuilding Flames.

The 2008 first-round pick has one goal and five assists in 16 career NHL games for the Leafs.

“With the opportunity to speak with Brian Burke and learn about Joe’s hockey sense and character from someone who had him as a player and knows him so well, it became clear to us that this is the type of young, big centre we need,” Flames general manager Jay Feaster said in a statement.

“He fits in very well with our rebuild and provides size up the middle which we believe is critical going forward. The fact that he is from Calgary is an added bonus. We look forward to welcoming him to the Flames family.”

Colborne is on a one-way contract that pays him US$600,000 this season.