The Flames entered the 2011 NHL Entry Draft with the 13th overall pick. With it, they chose Swiss forward Sven Baertschi from the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks. He returned to Portland for the 2011–12 WHL season and was an offensive leader, averaging two points per game before a number of injuries late in the season in Calgary allowed the Flames to recall him on an emergency basis. Baertschi scored three goals in five games in Calgary before he was returned to the Winterhawks for the start of their playoffs.