Flames keeping rookie Sean Monahan around for remainder of season

Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan, left, celebrates his goal with left wing Mike Cammalleri, right, against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (The Associated Press)

Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith (41) makes a save on a shot by Calgary Flames' Sean Monahan (23) as Coyotes' Martin Hanzal (11), of the Czech Republic, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, right, of Sweden, defend during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Flames 4-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (The Associated Press)

CALGARY, Alberta – Sean Monahan will remain with the Calgary Flames this season instead of being returned to his junior club.

A junior-eligible player is allowed to play up to nine games in the NHL without costing the team a year of his entry-level contract. Monahan has six goals and three assists in his first nine games.

"We feel good about the decision we've made," general manager Jay Feaster said Wednesday. "We believe his development is best served with us. I think he's a unique individual ... in his determination. He's a 19-year-old going on 29 years old."

Calgary selected Monahan sixth overall in the June draft after he played three seasons with the OHL's Ottawa 67's. The Flames have not indicated whether Monahan would be released to play for Team Canada at the 2014 world junior championship.