The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is right around the corner, and despite having a strong 2024 Draft, the Calgary Flames still have a lot of heavy lifting to build towards the future.
The Flames could use some help at just about every position, goaltender aside, but they may be most thin down the middle. Luckily for them, this draft is particularly deep at the centre-ice position, and one of the names that may draw interest from Calgary is Conrad Fondrk.
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
Conrad, born in June 2007, is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. He&#8217;s a left-shot centreman who stands at six feet and weighs a little over 190 pounds. He&#8217;s played in the States exclusively so far, culminating in back-to-back stints on the U.S. National Development Team, and an appearance in the inaugural CHL/USA Top Prospects Challenge this season.
Fondrk&#8217;s 2024-25 campaign is hard to evaluate as it was cut short in March by a serious lower-body injury that resulted in him being stretchered off the ice. The injury muddies the waters in terms of his draft projection, but it could also make him a diamond in the rough.
<a href="https://nhlentrydraft.com/reports/26305/">Future Considerations&#8217;</a> Kyle Pereira gave this synopsis of Fondrk&#8217;s game:
<blockquote>“While he doesn’t play hard consistently, in the moments he engaged on the puck as a forechecker, he was highly efficient. With the puck on his stick, he showcased his intelligence as a passer, keeping plays simple and extending possessions. Although he doesn’t often push the puck into high-danger areas, when he does, especially as a passer, he can make teams pay.”</blockquote>
Steven Ellis of <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-final-top-120-steven-ellis-schaefer-misa-obrien-martin-frondell-desnoyers-hagens-martone">Daily Faceoff</a> ranked Fondrk at 55th in his final draft rankings, one spot below the Flames&#8217; second-round pick, he had this to say:
<blockquote>&#8220;When he’s hot, Fondrk can be a difference-maker. The first half was a bit ugly, but I liked him at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and I think he’s better than his stats might suggest. That’s because he’s a solid 200-foot player who brings speed and a great shot to the table every night. I feel like he’s more competitive than when we saw him a year ago where it seemed like he just stapled himself to high-end shooting areas and didn’t grind it out like many would have hoped. An injury ended his season early, but I think scouts will love his shot and his penalty kill abilities.&#8221;</blockquote>
Overall, Fondrk&#8217;s 200-foot style of play combined with good size make him a fairly safe bet to at least become a middle-six centreman at the NHL level.
<h2>The numbers</h2>
Fondrk joined the U.S. National Development Team in 2023-24, through 35 games played that season he compiled 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 total points.
In his sophomore season with USNDT Fondrk appeared to be taking major strides, he posted six goals and six assists in 15 contests before a season-ending injury. He also went pointless in two games during the USA/CHL Top Prospects Challenge.
<h2>Availability and fit</h2>
<a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2025/02/28/what-is-an-ideal-nhl-centre-for-the-flames/">The Flames need centres, period.</a>
However, they don&#8217;t own a premium pick in this draft, meaning they may have to purchase multiple lottery tickets in an attempt to find a franchise centreman, or at least provide depth down the middle for the future.
Fondrk fits in the latter category and projects to be more of a 2C at best, regardless, he&#8217;d make a nice addition to Calgary&#8217;s current pool of prospects.
Conrad is ranked in the 40s by most outlets and will likely be taken in the second round of the draft. He&#8217;d be hard to pass up if he makes it to <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2025/06/07/a-history-of-the-54th-overall-pick-the-flames-second-round-pick-in-the-2025-draft/">the Flames&#8217; third selection at 54th overall</a>.
Fondrk is committed to Boston University.
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Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you&#8217;re tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is right around the corner, and despite having a strong 2024 Draft, the Calgary Flames still have a lot of heavy lifting to build towards the future.

The Flames could use some help at just about every position, goaltender aside, but they may be most thin down the middle. Luckily for them, this draft is particularly deep at the centre-ice position, and one of the names that may draw interest from Calgary is Conrad Fondrk.
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
Conrad, born in June 2007, is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. He's a left-shot centreman who stands at six feet and weighs a little over 190 pounds. He's played in the States exclusively so far, culminating in back-to-back stints on the U.S. National Development Team, and an appearance in the inaugural CHL/USA Top Prospects Challenge this season.

Fondrk's 2024-25 campaign is hard to evaluate as it was cut short in March by a serious lower-body injury that resulted in him being stretchered off the ice. The injury muddies the waters in terms of his draft projection, but it could also make him a diamond in the rough.

<a href="https://nhlentrydraft.com/reports/26305/">Future Considerations'</a> Kyle Pereira gave this synopsis of Fondrk's game:
<blockquote>“While he doesn’t play hard consistently, in the moments he engaged on the puck as a forechecker, he was highly efficient. With the puck on his stick, he showcased his intelligence as a passer, keeping plays simple and extending possessions. Although he doesn’t often push the puck into high-danger areas, when he does, especially as a passer, he can make teams pay.”</blockquote>
Steven Ellis of <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-final-top-120-steven-ellis-schaefer-misa-obrien-martin-frondell-desnoyers-hagens-martone">Daily Faceoff</a> ranked Fondrk at 55th in his final draft rankings, one spot below the Flames' second-round pick, he had this to say:
<blockquote>"When he’s hot, Fondrk can be a difference-maker. The first half was a bit ugly, but I liked him at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and I think he’s better than his stats might suggest. That’s because he’s a solid 200-foot player who brings speed and a great shot to the table every night. I feel like he’s more competitive than when we saw him a year ago where it seemed like he just stapled himself to high-end shooting areas and didn’t grind it out like many would have hoped. An injury ended his season early, but I think scouts will love his shot and his penalty kill abilities."</blockquote>
Overall, Fondrk's 200-foot style of play combined with good size make him a fairly safe bet to at least become a middle-six centreman at the NHL level.
<h2>The numbers</h2>
Fondrk joined the U.S. National Development Team in 2023-24, through 35 games played that season he compiled 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 total points.

In his sophomore season with USNDT Fondrk appeared to be taking major strides, he posted six goals and six assists in 15 contests before a season-ending injury. He also went pointless in two games during the USA/CHL Top Prospects Challenge.
<h2>Availability and fit</h2>
<a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2025/02/28/what-is-an-ideal-nhl-centre-for-the-flames/">The Flames need centres, period.</a>

However, they don't own a premium pick in this draft, meaning they may have to purchase multiple lottery tickets in an attempt to find a franchise centreman, or at least provide depth down the middle for the future.

Fondrk fits in the latter category and projects to be more of a 2C at best, regardless, he'd make a nice addition to Calgary's current pool of prospects.

Conrad is ranked in the 40s by most outlets and will likely be taken in the second round of the draft. He'd be hard to pass up if he makes it to <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2025/06/07/a-history-of-the-54th-overall-pick-the-flames-second-round-pick-in-the-2025-draft/">the Flames' third selection at 54th overall</a>.

Fondrk is committed to Boston University.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@daily_faceoff"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-144935" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Draft2025-TheSheet_promo-727x404-1.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" /></a>

Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you're tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.

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