The Calgary Flames farm system has drastically improved thanks to a terrific 2024 draft, but what about the prospects they selected in the years before?
One of those prospects, Jaden Lipinski, started his Western Hockey League career in 2021-22, scoring eight goals and 17 points in 68 games with a goal and four points in 12 post-season games. That was followed by a 19-goal, 51-point season in 66 games in his draft year. The Flames ended up picking the Scottsdale, Arizona native in the fourth round of that draft.
Lipinski’s upward trajectory continued in 2023-24, as he scored 24 goals and 66 points in 67 games, including three assists in five postseason games. The Vancouver Giants were bounced so early in the 2024 postseason and Lipinski is a December birthday and was 19, meaning the right-shot centre was eligible to turn professional. Lipinski made his professional debut with the Calgary Wranglers where he was held pointless in the only game he played.
Coming into the 2024-25 season, Lipinski ranked as our 16th-best prospect and according to his McKeen’s Hockey scouting report, the centre does a good job protecting the puck down low thanks to his 6’3” frame. Skating is an issue and will need to improve it before he turns professional.
Lipinski started the season playing two games with the Calgary Wranglers, where he was once again held pointless. He returned to the Canadian Hockey League as an over-ager, scoring 10 goals and 41 points in 43 games. Due to an undisclosed injury, Lipinski has missed nine of the Giants games this season and is on pace for 13 goals and 56 points, a rather disappointing year for someone older than his competition.
The highlight of Lipinski’s season was an 11-game point streak from Dec. 27, 2024, until Jan. 17, 2025 where he scored four goals and 18 points. Thankfully, his Giants look like they’ll make the post-season thanks to a 25-21-6 record with 56 points. That’s good enough for seventh in the WHL, but they are 13 points clear of the team looking from the outside in.
Hopefully, Lipinski can regain a little bit of stock when the pressure is on. This will be his last season in the Western Hockey League and he still needs to sign his entry-level contract. If/when he does, it wouldn’t be all too surprising if he starts his full professional career in the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush.
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