Is 2024 draft prospect Dean Letourneau a fit for the Calgary Flames prospect pool?

When the Calgary Flames step up to the podium to pick in the 28th spot at the 2024 NHL Draft, there will be tons of players available to choose from.

The player we’ll look at today fits a need perfectly as he’s a big bodied centre, a position the Flames desperately need in their farm system.

Let’s take a look at Dean Letourneau!

What immediately stands out for you? The geography fan in me noticed Braeside, Ontario, which is about an hour drive away from Ottawa, where I am from. For most, his size is what probably sticks out, as he’s one big lad.

Letourneau hasn’t gone down either of the traditional routes for North American players. He doesn’t play in the Canadian Hockey League, nor has he played for Junior A team, instead, Letourneau played for St. Andrew’s College prep school in Ontario. The 18-year–old scored 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games, before playing two games in the United States Hockey League. He’s committed to play for Boston College in the 2025-26 season.

As for Letourneau’s ranking, his highest ranking generally sits around the early 30s, as Daily Faceoff recently ranked him 30th, exactly where Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino has him as well. Other rankings have him lower, though, such as The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, who has him ranked 43rd, while Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala has him ranked 40th, his Elite Prospects consolidated ranking. Letourneau’s lowest ranking comes from FC Hockey, who has him ranked 76th, while Recruit Scouting has him ranked 59th.

Despite his size, Letourneau is a good skater with solid speed and good crossovers according to Wheeler. His shots are heavy and he’s a good distributor of the puck, playing on the flank on the power play, rather than in front of the net. However, Wheeler believes he needs to be more aggressive off the puck.

According to Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff, he’s a good net front presence and can use his massive frame to keep the puck, while also being a good skater. In fact, Ellis compared Letourneau to Buffalo Sabres’ forward Tage Thompson.

Recruit Scouting’s Gabriel Foley points out the ability to skate and stick handle despite standing at 6’6” (some even say up to 6’8”). However, he needs to use his size more to win puck battles, and he gets a knock in the ratings due to playing prep hockey in Canada.

Time will tell if Letourneau is the next Tage Thompson, but the building blocks are certainly there for the 18-year-old. His skill, size, and speed make him an intriguing prospect the Calgary Flames may be able to target with their late first round pick or their early second round pick. Playing in the United States Hockey League will be a determining factor in his next steps.