Schwindt was part of the package that saw Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weeger and conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft come to Calgary in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a fourth-round pick heading to Florida.
Flames management have had their eyes on Schwindt for quite some time, dating back in his junior days with the Mississauga Steelheads, and now they've added him to their prospect pool.
"I'm excited to go to an organization that showed interest in me," he said.. "The fans in Calgary have been awesome to me through social media. The C of Red seems very loud and proud every night.
"I'm going to focus on earning my spot and break into the NHL. I feel very confident that the place I want to be is Calgary. As a player, it's always good to hear good things about yourself, it gives you a boost. I'm just going to be the same player I was before the trade and try to better myself this summer."
The 21-year-old appeared in 72 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers last season, collecting 40 points (19G, 21) and adding three more in seven playoff tilts.
He also skated in three games with the Panthers.
"I got a little taste of pro hockey during the COVID year, with a few games in Syracuse," he explained. "That opened my eyes to what it is about.
"I got to play a full 72-game season in Charlotte last season and it taught me a lot. How to be a pro, how to get ready for each day, and how to take care of yourself off the ice.
"I tried to take everything I learned, be a sponge and be that player that will do everything that the coach asks for. I'm focused on putting my right foot forward and kinda try to make a name for myself."
One of the best attributes that has been repeated with Schwindt since he was drafted in 2019 is his character.
And you don't have to look far to see proof of that with the work he has done with Hockey Gives Blood.
"I've been working with Hockey Gives Blood for the last four years, I was introduced to Stu Middleton when I was in junior and ever since then I've been working with them to raise awareness in donating blood and saving lives," he said. "Stu reached out to me with this opportunity to bring a smile on a kids face and to tell you the truth I think it meant more to me than it did him, to see the smile on his face.
"I sent a letter, a hockey card and told him the card isn't worth too much. I'm happy to bring a smile to his face. It's definitely a piece of my aura and social media presence. Give my piece to the community the same as I was when I was a kid looking up to players seeing them do stuff in the community I think that makes a difference."
