We’re into the second round of major junior playoffs throughout Canada, while the NCAA has concluded their national championship tournament (with Western Michigan capturing the crown).
Meanwhile, there has been a ton of news relating to Flames prospects lately.
First off, the Flames have signed five different players to their first NHL contracts over the last while:
- The Flames signed free agent centre Carter King to a one-year entry-level deal out of the University of Denver on Monday
- The Flames signed goaltender Arsenii Sergeev, their 2021 seventh-rounder, to a two-year ELC out of Penn State University on Monday
- The Flames signed winger Aydar Suniev, their 2023 third-rounder, to a three-year ELC out of the University of Massachusetts on Apr. 2
- The Flames signed winger Jacob Battaglia, their 2024 second-rounder, to a three-year ELC out of the Kingston Frontenacs on Mar. 29
- The Flames signed free agent goaltender Owen Say to a one-year ELC out of the University of Notre Dame on Mar. 24
The Flames also called up Zayne Parekh, their 2024 first-rounder, to the big club after his OHL post-season ended with the Saginaw Spirit. And we also saw the long-rumoured college commitment of Sudbury Wolves blueliner Henry Mews, the Flames’ 2024 third-rounder. He’s headed to the University of Michigan in the fall, joining 2024 sixth-rounder Eric Jamieson as the second Flames prospect from his draft class to commit to college now that the NCAA’s rules are relaxed. (Jamieson is going to the University of Denver.)
With all that catch-up completed, lets delve into the updates!
Jonathan Aspirot – D/LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
25; signed as a free agent; 6’0″, 200 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 63 | 5 | 23 | 28 | 13 | 16 | 8 | 79 | 17.71 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 66 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 94 | 19.93 |
Aspirot had an assist this week.
Andrew Basha – LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
19; Calgary’s second round pick (41st overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 5’11”, 174 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 5th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 23 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 73 | 31.22 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 63 | 30 | 55 | 85 | 69 | 52 | 41 | 189 | 33.41 |
Basha is still injured, and a long-shot to play at all this playoff year. But his Tigers are up 2-0 on Prince Albert in the second round of the WHL playoffs.
Jacob Battaglia – LW, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
18; Calgary’s second round pick (62nd overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 196 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 11th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 68 | 40 | 50 | 90 | 67 | 57 | 45 | 239 | 35.06 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 54 | 39 | 34 | 168 | 25.70 |
Battaglia has 10 points through seven playoff games thus far. Kingston trails Barrie 2-1 in their second round series.
Parker Bell – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Calgary’s fifth round pick (155th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 192 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 61 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 67 | 7.84 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 59 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 50 | 35 | 31 | 231 | 26.86 |
Bell left Saturday’s Wranglers game against Abbotsford after eating a punch from Canucks forward Ty Glover. We’ll see if Bell’s able to play in the final weekend of the regular season.
Hunter Brzustewicz – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; Vancouver’s third round pick (75th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; Acquired in a trade with Vancouver; 6’0″, 190 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 3rd-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 69 | 5 | 26 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 13 | 75 | 17.90 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 13 | 79 | 92 | 46 | 65 | 34 | 140 | 36.37 |
Brzustewicz had two points this week. He’s continuing to have a really solid first pro season.
He was called up on Wednesday.
Lucas Ciona – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s sixth round pick (173rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 210 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 66 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 88 | 12.08 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 55 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 67 | 4.35 |
Ciona was named the Wranglers winner of the AHL’s IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award – every team has a recipient, and then there’s a league-wide winner later on. The award salutes players that have made humanitarian contributions in their communities.
Matvei Gridin – RW, Shawinigan Cataractes, QMJHL
18; Calgary’s first round pick (28th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 182 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 6th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 56 | 36 | 43 | 79 | 58 | 40 | 32 | 236 | 32.85 |
2023-24 (USHL) | 60 | 38 | 45 | 83 | 67 | 49 | 42 | 208 | 31.76 |
Gridin has 13 points through eight playoff games. Shawnigan leads Sherbrooke 3-0 in their second round series.
Artem Grushnikov – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Dallas’ second round pick (48th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; Acquired in a trade with Dallas; 6’1″, 203 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 17th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 60 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 43 | 3.32 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 65 | 3.80 |
Grushnikov continues to be a reliable shutdown defender for the Wranglers.
Sam Honzek – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; Calgary’s first round pick (16th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 186 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 4th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 50 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 78 | 16.74 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 33 | 10 | 21 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 86 | 23.26 |
Honzek’s been playing up the middle lately.
Axel Hurtig – D, Calgary Hitmen, WHL
19; Calgary’s seventh round pick (208th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 202 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 55 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 66 | 7.20 |
2023-24 (J20) | 27 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 54 | 15.10 |
Hurtig has three points through seven playoff games. The Hitmen trail Lethbridge 2-1 in their second round series.
Eric Jamieson – D, Everett Silvertips, WHL
19; Calgary’s seventh round pick (208th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 200 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 66 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 26 | 27 | 19 | 175 | 13.51 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 174 | 12.01 |
Jamieson has two points through eight playoff games. Everett leads Portland 2-1 in their second round series.
Joni Jurmo – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Rapid City Rush, ECHL
22; Vancouver’s third round pick (82nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; Acquired in a trade with Vancouver; 6’3″, 190 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
AHL season to date | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.00 |
ECHL season to date | 12 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 19.13 |
2023-24 (Liiga) | 46 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 4.03 |
Jurmo has played sporadically lately, and primarily slotting in as the Wranglers’ seventh defender when he does dress.
Rory Kerins – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s sixth round pick (174th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 175 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 61 | 33 | 27 | 60 | 51 | 40 | 35 | 131 | 39.20 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 54 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 115 | 23.62 |
More like Scorey Kerins, amirite? Kerins continues to chip in points on a consistent basis.
Adam Klapka – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Free agent signing; 6’8″, 235 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 15th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 33 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 14 | 101 | 31.40 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 65 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 34 | 31 | 22 | 182 | 27.59 |
Klapka is in the NHL. (And playing really well!)
Demetrios Koumontzis – LW/D, Idaho Steelheads, ECHL
24; Calgary’s fourth round pick (108th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 183 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 35 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 60 | 9.84 |
2023-24 (ECHL) | 47 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 84 | 9.28 |
Idaho missed the playoffs. Koumontzis played in about half of their games. His NHL rights lapse in August.
Yan Kuznetsov – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s second round pick (50th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 209 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 20th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 70 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 12 | 16 | 10 | 93 | 11.96 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 88 | 8.22 |
Kuznetsov is the only Wranglers player to appear in every game this season.
Etienne Morin – D, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
19; Calgary’s second round pick (48th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 180 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 10th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 62 | 14 | 44 | 58 | 29 | 40 | 24 | 222 | 21.79 |
2023-24 (QMJHL) | 58 | 12 | 37 | 49 | 32 | 21 | 13 | 191 | 19.67 |
Morin has eight points through seven playoff games. Moncton leads Baie-Comeau 2-1 in their second round series.
Sam Morton – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
25; Free agent signing; 6’0″, 185 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 69 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 33 | 23 | 17 | 159 | 25.99 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 37 | 24 | 10 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 19 | 151 | 24.00 |
Morton has quietly had a really effective year for the Wranglers.
He was called up on Wednesday.
Zayne Parekh – D, Saginaw Spirit, OHL
18; Calgary’s first round pick (9th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 179 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 1st-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 61 | 33 | 74 | 107 | 69 | 52 | 40 | 243 | 46.46 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 33 | 63 | 96 | 66 | 54 | 39 | 224 | 38.53 |
Parekh is in the NHL.
Jeremie Poirier – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s third round pick (72nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 196 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 7th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 69 | 5 | 34 | 39 | 21 | 24 | 13 | 128 | 22.53 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 23 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 22.53 |
If nothing else, Poirier has maintained his scoring pace from last season. He’s been pretty solid.
Ilya Solovyov – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 208 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 14th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 57 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 11 | 22 | 9 | 78 | 18.88 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 51 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 88 | 11.72 |
Solovyov has done a good job as a tough-minutes defender and a stabilizing presence for the Wranglers this season.
William Strömgren – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Calgary’s second round pick (45th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 175 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 8th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 68 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 34 | 24 | 19 | 105 | 28.13 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 68 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 74 | 15.82 |
Strömgren has been wearing a facial shield for the last little bit, and he’s been a bit less effective, too. Coincidence? We’re not sure.
Aydar Suniev – LW/C, University of Massachusetts Minutemen, NCAA/Hockey East
20; Calgary’s third round pick (80th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’2″, 198 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 12th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 35 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 31 | 21 | 17 | 119 | 34.99 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 35 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 100 | 23.02 |
Suniev is in the NHL.
Waltteri Ignatjew – G, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
25; Signed as a free agent; 6’3″, 200 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 26 | 1412 | .890 |
2023-24 (SWE-1) | 45 | 2614 | .918 |
Ignatjew started both games against Abbotsford and played really well.
Arsenii Sergeev – G, Penn State University Nittany Lions, NCAA/Big 10
22; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 192 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 33 | 1982 | .919 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 16 | 934 | .913 |
Sergeev played his final collegiate game, a heartbreaker of a loss to a powerhouse Boston University team, over the weekend. He signed with the Flames earlier this week.
Yegor Yegorov – G, HC Tambov, VHL / MHC Tambov, NMHL / MHK Krylia Sovetov Moskva/MHK Spartak Moskva, MHL
19; Calgary’s sixth round pick (176th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 183 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
VHL season to date | 4 | 160 | .870 |
NMHL season to date | 8 | 449 | .891 |
MHL season to date | 20 | 1032 | .904 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 25 | 1319 | .917 |
Yegorov is an extra goalie for MHK Spartak Moskva during the MHL playoffs.
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