A red hot start to the WHL season has propelled Swift Current Broncos captain Glenn Gawdin right into the fire.

Gawdin signed a three-year entry-level contract with the NHL's Calgary Flames. It's a standard rookie two-way deal that would allow Gawdin to play in either the NHL or AHL when he starts his professional career.

"A great signing by Calgary," said Broncos Coach/Director of Player Personnel Manny Viveiros. "Glenn will play in the NHL soon because he is a great player and even better person. He is our leader on and off the ice. We're very proud of him."

The 20-year-old Richmond, BC native sits third in WHL scoring with 14 goals and 26 assists in 18 games. He has 228 points in 263 games with the Broncos.

Originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2015, Gawdin went unsigned by the June, 2017 deadline and became a free agent this summer. He attended both Calgary Flames development camp in the summer, the young stars exhibition tournament in Penticton and their main camp this fall.

Gawdin was one of the highest bantam draft selections in Broncos history. They grabbed him with the 5th overall pick in the 2012 draft and he joined the team full-time as a 16-year-old.

He made an immediate impact with 10 goals and 12 assists as a rookie before making the leap as a top six forward with 54 points in 2014-15.

Gawdin has been a permanent fixture at the top of the Broncos' lineup since then with a power forward style game that sees him as a key at both ends of the rink.

Viveiros named Gawdin as team captain in 2016-17 and he has continued to lead them into his overage season. Gawdin, Tyler Steenbergen and Aleksi Heponiemi have combined to form the most dynamic line in the WHL this season as the Broncos have jumped out to a 13-4-1-0 record.

Swift Current has a busy weekend coming up with games in Medicine Hat on Friday, at home against Calgary on Saturday and in Brandon on Sunday afternoon.