For the past few seasons, the Calgary Flames have had an American Hockey League affiliate that’s done two things well: produce players that can step into the National Hockey League team’s lineup at a moment’s notice, and win games at the minor league level (despite often losing key players to the parent club).
Through six outings in the 2024-25 season, the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers are off to a splendid 5-1-0 start – and that’s despite missing one or two players that are currently on the Flames roster.
The undeniable surprise of the season so far has been the offensive production of Rory Kerins, who has a league-leading seven goals – and a gaudy 35% shooting percentage – through six games. And while Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier are too experienced as pros to be considered “prospects,” it’s hard to ignore their eight points apiece, which has them tied with Kerins for the AHL lead.
Elsewhere down the rotation, there are a lot of positives among the forward group: Lucas Ciona looks to have found a niche as a crash-and-bang forward. Parker Bell scored his first AHL goal against Bakersfield and looks to be finding his way. Hunter Brzustewicz – still over a month before his 20th birthday – has settled in nicely as a pro blueliner. While the defensive group is still figuring out their ideal configurations, the group has continued to find ways to win.
For a Flames organization that’s undoubtedly going to be relying on its youth to propel itself forward in the coming years, the early returns from their AHL club are a big positive. We’ll see if they can continue this momentum into November.
Jonathan Aspirot – D, 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 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 23.91 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 66 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 94 | 19.93 |
Aspirot had three assists over four games this week.
Andrew Basha – LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
18; 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 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 30.27 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 63 | 30 | 55 | 85 | 69 | 52 | 41 | 189 | 33.41 |
Basha hasn’t really gotten his five-on-five offence cooking yet, but he’s a big part of Medicine Hat’s strong (24.3% success rate) power play.
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 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 30 | 42.38 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 54 | 39 | 34 | 168 | 25.70 |
Battaglia’s season-opening point streak ended after eight games, and was followed by a pair of games where he had many shots but no points.
Parker Bell – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; 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 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7.97 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 59 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 50 | 35 | 31 | 231 | 26.86 |
Bell registered his first-ever professional goal in the Wranglers’ shootout win over Bakersfield on Wednesday.
Jake Boltmann – D, Northeastern University Huskies, NCAA/Hockey East
22; Calgary’s third round pick (80th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 188 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 18.20 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 1.82 |
After two points last week, Boltmann was characteristically quiet this week.
Hunter Brzustewicz – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
19; 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 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6.64 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 13 | 79 | 92 | 46 | 65 | 34 | 140 | 36.37 |
Brzustewicz hasn’t hit the scoresheet since opening night, but he’s been consistently noticeable for positive reasons on the ice.
Lucas Ciona – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; 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 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 19.93 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 55 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 67 | 4.35 |
Ciona’s strong start continues, as he’s halfway to matching last season’s offensive output after just six games.
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 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 43 | 18.11 |
2023-24 (USHL) | 60 | 38 | 45 | 83 | 67 | 49 | 42 | 208 | 31.76 |
Gridin had a couple of assists this week. It feels like he’s got another offensive gear, though, given the vast, vast amount of shots he’s generating. (Vast.)
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 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 65 | 3.80 |
Grushnikov has yet to register a point this season, but he hasn’t been on the ice for many goals against, either.
Trevor Hoskin – RW, Niagara University Purple Eagles, NCAA
20; Calgary’s fourth round pick (106th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 175 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11.93 |
2023-24 (OJHL) | 52 | 42 | 58 | 100 | 85 | 60 | 50 | 189 | 5.36 |
Hoskin had another two points this week. He’s off to a nice start to his college career.
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 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5.50 |
2023-24 (J20) | 27 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 54 | 15.10 |
Hurtig continues to be a defensive stalwart whose offensive game has room for improvement.
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 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 11.01 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 174 | 12.01 |
Jamieson had zero points in a light week for the Silvertips.
Joni Jurmo – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
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 | |
Season to date | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2023-24 (Liiga) | 46 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 4.03 |
Jurmo has yet to dress for an AHL game this season.
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 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 20 | 53.14 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 54 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 115 | 23.62 |
Kerins was named the AHL’s Player of the Week in recognition for his superb offensive start. He currently leads the AHL in goals and is tied for the lead in points.
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 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6.64 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 88 | 8.22 |
Kuznetsov has one assist and a team-leading plus-6 plus/minus rating through six games.
Hunter Laing – C/RW, Prince George Cougars, WHL
18; Calgary’s sixth round pick (170th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’5″, 205 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 11 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 18 | 18.01 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 101 | 9.38 |
Laing had another two point week. He’s producing at a steady clip and seems to have taken a healthy step forward offensively from last season. Not bad from a late round pick so far.
Jaden Lipinski – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Vancouver Giants, WHL
19; Calgary’s fourth round pick (112th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 204 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 16th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
WHL season to date | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 12.38 |
AHL season to date | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 67 | 24 | 42 | 66 | 47 | 33 | 23 | 181 | 24.39 |
Lipinski was assigned back to the Western League and got onto the scoresheet in his first weekend. Give him a couple weeks before we really dig into his offensive numbers, as he’s gotta adjust back to the WHL’s rhythms.
Cade Littler – C/RW, University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, NCAA/NCHC
20; Calgary’s seventh round pick (219th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 197 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (BCHL) | 24 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 17 | 9 | 6 | – | 5.51 |
Littler made his NCAA debut this weekend, playing on the fourth line for the Fighting Hawks. He had a shot on goal.
Henry Mews – D, Ottawa 67’s, OHL
18; Calgary’s third round pick (74th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 181 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 9th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 9 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 20.60 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 65 | 15 | 46 | 61 | 38 | 35 | 24 | 153 | 24.86 |
Mews had three assists in three games this week.
Luke Misa – LW/C, Brampton Steelheads, OHL
18; Calgary’s fifth round pick (150th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 170 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 13th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 25 | 8.83 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 26 | 55 | 81 | 56 | 58 | 39 | 210 | 32.51 |
Misa remains quiet offensively to start the 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 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 33 | 33.64 |
2023-24 (QMJHL) | 58 | 12 | 37 | 49 | 32 | 21 | 13 | 191 | 19.67 |
Morin had six assists over three games this week, an undeniably impressive level of production this week (and so far this season).
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 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 19.93 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 37 | 24 | 10 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 19 | 151 | 24.00 |
Morton is off to a solid start offensively.
Ilya Nikolaev – C/LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
23; Calgary’s third round pick (88th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 190 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
AHL season to date | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 19.93 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 29 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 8.25 |
Nikolaev has already matched last season’s assists total and is halfway to matching last season’s points total.
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 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 29.80 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 33 | 63 | 96 | 66 | 54 | 39 | 224 | 38.53 |
Parekh had a two-goal game this week.
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 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 23 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 22.53 |
Poirier has been playing primarily on the right side of a pairing with Jarred Tinordi and results have been mixed so far, with Poirier a team-worst minus-4 in terms of plus/minus.
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 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 19.93 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 51 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 88 | 11.72 |
Solovyov hasn’t dressed since opening weekend. There hasn’t yet been indications from the club regarding whether it’s due to injury or some other reason, though. (Given Solovyov’s shot-blocking-heavy style of game, we’re inclined to assume it’s injury-related until being told otherwise.)
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 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6.64 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 68 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 74 | 15.82 |
Strömgren is off to a quiet offensive start to this season.
Aydar Suniev – LW/C, University of Massachusetts Minutemen, NCAA/Hockey East
19; 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 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 45.12 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 35 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 100 | 23.02 |
Suniev only had an assist this week, but his scoring pace remains very strong this season.
Daniil Chechelev – G, HC Vityaz, KHL / Yunison-Moskva, VHL
23; Calgary’s fourth round pick (96th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 187 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
VHL season to date | 1 | 30 | .750 |
2023-24 (VHL) | 5 | 271 | .908 |
Chechelev finally got some game action, starting for Yunison-Moskva this past week… and it went poorly. He was yanked midway through the game after surrendering four goals on 16 shots.
Waltteri Ignatjew – G, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Signed as a free agent; 6’3″, 200 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 1 | 60 | .914 |
2023-24 (SWE-1) | 45 | 2614 | .918 |
Ignatjew has played once in the Wranglers’ first six games – more a reflection of Devin Cooley’s strong play than anything else – but he picked up a win in his first North American action.
Arsenii Sergeev – G, Penn State University Nittany Lions, NCAA/Big 10
21; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 192 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 3 | 182 | .928 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 16 | 934 | .913 |
Penn State was off this week.
Yegor Yegorov – G, HC Tambov, VHL / MHC Tambov, NMHL
19; Calgary’s sixth round pick (176th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 183 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
VHL season to date | 3 | 100 | .837 |
NMHL season to date | 2 | 124 | .917 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 25 | 1319 | .917 |
Yegorov dressed as backup for HC Tambov this week but didn’t seen any game action.
Kirill Zarubin – G, AKM Tula, MHL
18; Calgary’s third round pick (84th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 178 pounds; FN’s 19th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 6 | 327 | .909 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 45 | 2473 | .927 |
Zarubin got a start this week, but made many saves in a loss. Aside from wins, his numbers are creeping up.
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