"A couple of pointed messages came within the news, but there weren't any real surprises when the axe fell at the Saddledome Wednesday.

The Calgary Flames reduced their training camp roster by 17 players, of which 13 were dispatched to the AHL Abbotsford Heat.

The cuts leave 46 in camp: four goalies, 15 defencemen and 27 forwards.

It was a shorter-than-expected stint in Calgary for a few players who the organization had big hopes for in recent times.

First-year pro Ryan Howse, the 2009 third-round draft choice coming off a 51-goal season for the WHL Chilliwack Bruins, was among the crew dispatched to the Heat.

The organization had high hopes for the 20-year-old in his first professional season, but his fitness level wasn't up to expectations, even though he made some improvements from a year ago."