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FN’s 2026 Flames summer prospect rankings – #6: Jack Hextall

Photo credit: courtesy USHL

By Ryan Pike

Aug 25, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 25, 2026, 03:07 EDT

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For the third time in as many years, the Calgary Flames made multiple first round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft. And for the third time in as many years, their second selection landed in the later stages of the draft’s opening round. But once again, the Flames managed to add to what’s quietly becoming a pretty fascinating group of young forwards.

American centre Jack Hextall joined the Flames at 30th overall in June’s entry draft, and he debuts at seventh spot on our annual prospect rundown.

Jack Hextall

Forward; shoots right
Born Mar. 23, 2008 (age 18) in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
6’1″, 187 pounds
Drafted in the first round (30th overall) by Calgary in the 2026 NHL Draft

A product of the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Hextall is part of a hockey family. While some may immediately think about long-time NHLer Ron Hextall, a distant cousin of his father’s, according to Jack, but according to Elite Prospects’ database, both his father and uncle have high-end experience of their own. His father played college hockey, while his uncle played in the Western League and briefly at the pro level.

A pretty talented right shooting forward, Hextall made his way through Chicago area elite minor hockey, playing with the local area Windy City Storm and Chicago Mission clubs and scoring at well over a point-per-game pace. He was signed by the United States Hockey League’s Youngtown Phantoms in early 2024 and committing to Michigan State University just prior to starting his first season with the Phantoms.

Playing as a 16-year-old in 2024-25 with Youngstown, Hextall faced pretty tough opposition when joining one of junior hockey’s top leagues. He didn’t score at a torrid pace, but he posted a more than respectable 34 points in 53 games as one of the circuit’s youngest players. In 2025-26, in his NHL Draft eligible season, he kept improving, posting 20 goals and 58 points in 59 games, and being named a third team USHL all-star. He represented the United States both at the Junior A World Challenge in 2024-25 and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2025-26, capturing gold medals at both events.

McKeen’s Hockey scout Linc Zdancewicz shared some thoughts with us about Hextall:

Hextall has been a coveted prospect by scouts who have known him ever since his Chicago Mission days. His brain, hands, and determination make him a prospect who will shine in a middle six role. Hextall is a natural center but showed great potential on the wing as well this year in the USHL, a role he is expected to carry into his freshman year at Michigan State. Where he lacks in speed, he makes up for in offensive creativity and craftiness. Hextall is a resourceful forward, extending plays and creating chances out of nothing with his defensive stick work. A phenomenal bet with one of the last picks of the first round.

Expectations for 2026-27

After committing to college at 16, Hextall is headed to Michigan State as a true freshman for the 2026-27 season. He joins, frankly, a pretty stacked Spartans forward group. He’ll be one of 10 NHL-drafted forwards on the club, joining five other first-round pics: Cullen Potter (another Flames prospect), Cayden Lindstrom, Mason West, Ryker Lee and Ethan Belchetz. He’ll be the second-youngest Spartan next season, with Belchetz being just a week younger than him.

Being on a stacked team is probably a double-edged sword for Hextall. On one hand, he’s going to have strong teammates basically every time he hits the ice, and so the weight on the world won’t be on his shoulders as a freshman. On the other hand, there’s going to be a ton of competition for roles and ice time, and he’s probably destined for a depth role – at least to start. But based on how he’s discussed his approach to the season in interviews, it seems like he’s prepared for that and looking to make the most of the opportunity.

He seems like a player that could be destined for a couple seasons in the NCAA, but he also seems like a player whose game and confidence could grow considerably during that process and set him up for success in pro hockey.

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