Mackey, a 23-year-old undrafted defenseman, scored 61 points (18 goals, 43 assists) in 118 games during three seasons with Minnesota State University, including 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 36 games this season.
"Calgary had been a team interested in me for a while," Mackey said. "The conversations I had with them, and going through the whole process, they've been unbelievable with their interest level, high on me, and we started building that relationship a couple of years back (he attended Flames development camp in 2017). The opportunity, I think, is there and it's the best fit for me, where I could step into the NHL and just grow as a player."
Mackey was a Western Collegiate Hockey Association First Team All-Star selection this season, when he had a league-high plus-19 rating and helped Minnesota State to a league-best 31-5-2 record. He admitted he thought about turning pro prior to the season.
"That was definitely an option for me, but the way things panned out, I felt comfortable going back for my junior year," Mackey said. "It's something I wanted to do and [Calgary was] on board with that. Their interest level never changed in me. They were great about it."
Mackey's father, David Mackey, played 126 NHL games as a forward with the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues from 1987-94.
"He's been to the highest level, been through it all," Mackey said of his father. "So playing youth hockey, junior hockey, college hockey, having him there and talking to him about different things, he can give his input and teach me little things along the way. It's been a huge benefit, for sure helped me that he's been through this before."
Poolman, a 24-year-old undrafted defenseman, scored 75 points (18 goals, 57 assists) in 146 games during four seasons at the University of North Dakota, including 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 31 games in his senior season.
"Over the past week, things heated up and I thought Calgary was the best fit for me," Poolman said. "I liked the staff and it just felt right to me. The big goal is to make the big team, but that's still a long road ahead. I'm just thankful for this opportunity to sign a contract with the organization and I want to just come in and work hard and compete every day to try to make the big team. If that doesn't happen, it doesn't. I'm just grateful for the chance."
Poolman was captain the past two seasons and was named honorable mention to the NCAA All-Star Team in 2018-19 and 2019-20. He is the younger brother of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tucker Poolman.
"He's been such a rock for me, going through things a year or two before I have all the way up," Poolman said of his brother. "You couldn't ask for a better person for advice, and him being my brother makes it better. He's honest and has good advice, even with small questions, he's always got solid answers. He's really been one of the best people for me in this situation, such a great role model."
NHL.com staff writer Tim Campbell contributed to this report
