It’s been a rough stretch for the Calgary Wranglers.
Since the beginning of 2025, the Wranglers have played 34 games. They’ve posted an 11-17-6 record, which comes on the heels of a 2024 portion of the schedule that saw them go 21-9-1. So… what gives?
Here’s what our working theories are…
1: Devin Cooley is still getting his mojo back post-injury
Cooley suffered an upper-body injury in January and since his return, he hasn’t been nearly as good as he was earlier in the season. To be fair, he was all-world before he got hurt, and so the team leaned heavily on him early on and backup Waltteri Ignatjew – a Swede playing in North America for the first time – didn’t play a ton. As a result, we have the Wranglers juggling a Cooley who’s trying to find his rhythm again and an Ignatjew who’s still learning the AHL game.
2: A couple really consistent AHLers are in the NHL
Are Adam Klapka and Dryden Hunt elite-level talents? Perhaps not. Are they really consistent, really effective players at the AHL level? Heck yeah. Their consistency and ability to play a lot of different roles has made them pretty useful for the Flames lately. But removing them from the AHL mix has caused some depth challenges and turned a three-line Wranglers attack into more of a two-line attack.
3: Some Wranglers are having challenges
Clark Bishop’s offensive production has dipped since the calendar flipped over to 2025. And while Rory Kerins and William Strömgren are still producing offensively at the same rate they were earlier this season, the details of their game aren’t quite as sharp as they were earlier and they’re both a bit more reliant on special teams to generate points and momentum than before.
4: Trent Cull is still in the NHL
When Trent Cull was promoted to the NHL in December on an interim basis, it wasn’t clear how long he’d be away. And Joe Cirella has filled in admirably, but he’s relatively inexperienced as an AHL head coach – especially compared to Cull. And so little things that a more experienced head coach could do to halt the slide might not be happening – it’s not meant as a slight to Cirella, but merely an acknowledgement that Cull might have more tools on his coaching toolbelt than Cirella does at this point.
Some bright spots
We will note a trio of really nice stories in 2025: Martin Frk, Sam Morton and Jeremie Poirier have all produced well in the back half of the calendar and could merit NHL look-sees if the Flames look to give auditions later in April.
Onto the updates!
Jonathan Aspirot – D/LW, 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 | 58 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 74 | 17.18 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 66 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 94 | 19.93 |
Aspirot had an assist this week.
Andrew Basha – LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
19; 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 | 23 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 73 | 31.22 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 63 | 30 | 55 | 85 | 69 | 52 | 41 | 189 | 33.41 |
Basha remains out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
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 | 68 | 40 | 50 | 90 | 67 | 57 | 45 | 239 | 35.06 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 54 | 39 | 34 | 168 | 25.70 |
Battaglia has five assists through three playoff games. Kingston lead Sudbury 3-0.
Parker Bell – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; 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 | 56 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 60 | 8.54 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 59 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 50 | 35 | 31 | 231 | 26.86 |
Bell had a goal this week.
Jake Boltmann – D, Northeastern University Huskies, NCAA/Hockey East
23; 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 | 36 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 24 | 9.10 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 1.82 |
Boltmann’s season is over.
Hunter Brzustewicz – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; 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 | 64 | 4 | 22 | 26 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 69 | 16.19 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 13 | 79 | 92 | 46 | 65 | 34 | 140 | 36.37 |
Brzustewicz had two assists this week.
Lucas Ciona – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; 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 | 61 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 81 | 13.07 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 55 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 67 | 4.35 |
Ciona had no points this week.
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 | 56 | 36 | 43 | 79 | 58 | 40 | 32 | 236 | 32.85 |
2023-24 (USHL) | 60 | 38 | 45 | 83 | 67 | 49 | 42 | 208 | 31.76 |
Gridin has six points through three playoff games. Shawinigan leads Val-d’Or 2-1.
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 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 40 | 3.62 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 65 | 3.80 |
Grushnikov had no points this week.
Sam Honzek – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; Calgary’s first round pick (16th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 186 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 4th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 45 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 64 | 17.71 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 33 | 10 | 21 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 86 | 23.26 |
Honzek had no points this week.
Trevor Hoskin – RW, Niagara University Purple Eagles, NCAA/AHA
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 | 36 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 80 | 17.23 |
2023-24 (OJHL) | 52 | 42 | 58 | 100 | 85 | 60 | 50 | 189 | 5.36 |
Per a report from College Hockey News’ Mike McMahon, Hoskin appears to be transferring to Merrimack College for next season.
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 | 55 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 66 | 7.20 |
2023-24 (J20) | 27 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 54 | 15.10 |
Hurtig has two assists through three playoff games. The Hitmen lead Saskatoon 3-0.
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 | 66 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 26 | 27 | 19 | 175 | 13.51 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 174 | 12.01 |
Jamieson has a goal and an assist in three playoff games. Everett trails Seattle 2-1.
Joni Jurmo – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Rapid City Rush, ECHL
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 | |
AHL season to date | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.00 |
ECHL season to date | 12 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 19.13 |
2023-24 (Liiga) | 46 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 4.03 |
Jurmo had no points this week.
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 | 56 | 29 | 24 | 53 | 45 | 36 | 32 | 123 | 37.72 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 54 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 115 | 23.62 |
Kerins had three points this week.
Adam Klapka – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Free agent signing; 6’8″, 235 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 15th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 33 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 14 | 101 | 31.40 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 65 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 34 | 31 | 22 | 182 | 27.59 |
Klapka is in the NHL.
Demetrios Koumontzis – LW/D, Idaho Steelheads, ECHL
24; Calgary’s fourth round pick (108th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 183 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 29 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 48 | 8.71 |
2023-24 (ECHL) | 47 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 84 | 9.28 |
Koumontzis had no points this week.
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 | 65 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 86 | 11.65 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 88 | 8.22 |
Kuznetsov had no points this week.
Hunter Laing – C/RW, Prince George Cougars/Saskatoon Blades, 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 | 64 | 25 | 23 | 48 | 40 | 35 | 29 | 153 | 18.57 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 101 | 9.38 |
Laing has one goal in three playoff games. Saskatoon trails the Hitmen 3-0.
Jaden Lipinski – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Vancouver Giants, WHL
20; 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 | 59 | 17 | 41 | 58 | 45 | 30 | 27 | 134 | 24.34 |
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 has a goal and an assist in two playoff games. Vancouver trails Spokane 2-0.
Cade Littler – C/RW/LW, 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 | 33 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 9.82 |
2023-24 (BCHL) | 24 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 17 | 9 | 6 | – | 5.51 |
Littler’s season is over.
Henry Mews – D, Ottawa 67’s/Sudbury Wolves, 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 | 68 | 14 | 68 | 82 | 51 | 40 | 27 | 233 | 31.94 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 65 | 15 | 46 | 61 | 38 | 35 | 24 | 153 | 24.86 |
Mews has two assists in three playoff games. Sudbury trails Kingston 3-0.
Luke Misa – LW/C, Brampton Steelheads, OHL
19; 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 | 67 | 34 | 51 | 85 | 58 | 63 | 43 | 204 | 33.41 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 26 | 55 | 81 | 56 | 58 | 39 | 210 | 32.51 |
Misa has five points in three playoff games. Brampton trails Oshawa 2-1.
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 | 62 | 14 | 44 | 58 | 29 | 40 | 24 | 222 | 21.79 |
2023-24 (QMJHL) | 58 | 12 | 37 | 49 | 32 | 21 | 13 | 191 | 19.67 |
Morin has five points in three playoff games. Moncton leads Quebec 3-0.
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 | 64 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 30 | 19 | 14 | 146 | 24.91 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 37 | 24 | 10 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 19 | 151 | 24.00 |
Morton had a goal this week.
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 | 61 | 33 | 74 | 107 | 69 | 52 | 40 | 243 | 46.46 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 33 | 63 | 96 | 66 | 54 | 39 | 224 | 38.53 |
Parekh has six points in three playoff games. Saginaw trails Erie 2-1.
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 | 64 | 5 | 31 | 36 | 21 | 23 | 13 | 116 | 22.42 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 23 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 22.53 |
Poirier had two points this week.
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 | 52 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 11 | 21 | 9 | 71 | 19.93 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 51 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 88 | 11.72 |
Solovyov had an assist this week.
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 | 63 | 13 | 32 | 45 | 33 | 23 | 19 | 98 | 28.47 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 68 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 74 | 15.82 |
Strömgren had an assist this week.
Aydar Suniev – LW/C, University of Massachusetts Minutemen, NCAA/Hockey East
20; 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 | 35 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 31 | 21 | 17 | 119 | 34.99 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 35 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 100 | 23.02 |
Suniev had two goals in UMass’ overtime win over Minnesota in the regional semi-final, but was ejected for a hit from behind in the regional final, which UMass lost 2-1 to Western Michigan.
Time will tell if Suniev opts to go pro or decides to return to college, but he had one heck of a sophomore year.
Daniil Chechelev – G, Yunison-Moskva, VHL
23; Calgary’s fourth round pick (96th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 187 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 11 | 399 | .888 |
2023-24 (VHL) | 5 | 271 | .908 |
Chechelev’s season is now over.
Waltteri Ignatjew – G, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
25; Signed as a free agent; 6’3″, 200 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 24 | 1287 | .889 |
2023-24 (SWE-1) | 45 | 2614 | .918 |
Ignatjew started twice, but picked up two losses.
Arsenii Sergeev – G, Penn State University Nittany Lions, NCAA/Big 10
22; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 192 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 32 | 1923 | .918 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 16 | 934 | .913 |
Sergeev back-stopped Penn State to a pair of wins and they have advanced to the Frozen Four next weekend.
Yegor Yegorov – G, HC Tambov, VHL / MHC Tambov, NMHL / MHK Krylia Sovetov Moskva, MHL
19; Calgary’s sixth round pick (176th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 183 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
VHL season to date | 4 | 160 | .870 |
NMHL season to date | 8 | 449 | .891 |
MHL season to date | 20 | 1032 | .904 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 25 | 1319 | .917 |
Yegorov’s season is over. He didn’t dress as the Soviet Wings were eliminated from the MHL’s playoffs.
Kirill Zarubin – G, AKM Tula, MHL
19; 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 | 21 | 1157 | .935 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 45 | 2473 | .927 |
Zarubin’s team will be playing MHC Dynamo St. Petersburg in the MHL playoffs.
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