Calgary Flames prospect Adam Fox has decided to remain in school for at least one more year rather than turn pro.

The defenceman told the Calgary Sun on Thursday he will return to Harvard for the 2018-19 season - his junior year.

“Right now, it’s tough to leave Harvard,” Fox said. “The Flames have been really good with my development and with helping me get better along the way. But for right now, just staying and focusing on school and hockey, that’s my focus.”

Fox scored six goals and added 28 assists in 29 games with Harvard this season. He was named to Team USA for a second straight World Juniors and served as alternate captain for the bronze medal-winning team.

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button ranked Fox as the 36th best NHL-affiliated prospect in his February rankings. He also put Fox second among Flames prospects, behind fellow defenceman Juuso Valimaki.

If Fox were to remain in school for his senior season in 2019, he could wait until August 2020 and become a free agent. Flames general manager Brad Treliving told the Sun he's not concerned with that possibility.

"You’re well aware of what the rules are but to me, you’re not putting the focus on the flight-risk, you’re putting the focus on helping the player improve and working with your prospect to make him better,” Treliving said. “If you sit around every day and chew your nails and worry about all the bad things that can happen, I don’t know if that a real productive way to live your life.

“So we’re well aware of how things work. All we can control, I think, is doing things right. That’s supporting the player, helping him. Our development team works with him throughout the year, is in contact with him. We have development plans for them. So it’s a very hands-on approach, and you just keep moving forward. Ultimately, that’s all you can control.

“Adam knows fully how much we think of him. We think he’s got a chance to be a real good player. And when he’s ready, he’s going to make that decision to turn pro and we’ll look forward to that. Until such time, you continue to work with him and try to help him improve in every aspect.”

Fox was selected by the Flames in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft. He turned 20 on Feb. 17.