In what was considered an exceptional draft by Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy last summer, one player who could end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft was the Flames’ third-round pick, Henry Mews. Mews is a 6-foot-1, right-shot defenceman for the Sudbury Wolves, though he was drafted while playing for the Ottawa 67’s.

Mews is primarily known as a strong, offence-minded defenceman, a trait that stems from his experience playing forward for most of his life. He only switched to defence at age 15. This season, his offensive production has skyrocketed, placing him among the OHL’s top producers, though his defensive game remains a work in progress.

In terms of character, Mews is well known among teammates for his positive attitude and sense of humour. During his time with the Ottawa 67’s, he and some supporters pledged to donate $33 for every assist he recorded during the 2023-2024 season, with all proceeds going to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Along with being a solid hockey player, Mews also has the type of personality any organization would want in its ranks.

Let’s take a look at how Mews emerged as a strong prospect before the draft and how he has fared since being selected.

The 2023-2024 season for Mews began with the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in July and August of 2023. Playing on a Canadian team that featured another top Flames prospect to be, Zayne Parekh, Mews had a strong tournament. Playing primarily on Canada’s top defensive pairing alongside Sam Dickinson, he recorded one goal and six assists in five games. Canada went on to win the tournament after an overtime victory against Czechia.

Mews returned to the Ottawa 67’s for his second OHL season. He started the season well, finding the scoresheet regularly, but struggled with consistency in his defensive game. It wasn’t until late November that his offensive game truly took off. Three consecutive multi-point games to close the month were followed by a three-point performance at the start of December. Over the course of 65 games, Mews tallied 61 points—15 goals and 46 assists—finishing seventh in points among all OHL defencemen.

In the playoffs, Mews and the 67’s played ten games, where he recorded two goals and three assists. After defeating the Brantford Bulldogs in six games, the 67’s were swept by the Oshawa Generals in the second round.

However, Mews’ season didn’t end there. In April, he travelled to Finland to join Team Canada for the U-18 Hockey Championship. His offensive prowess continued, as he recorded seven points in seven games en route to a gold medal victory over the United States.

Following a strong OHL season and two opportunities to represent Canada internationally, Mews’ next step was the NHL Entry Draft. With the 74th overall pick, the Calgary Flames selected Mews, adding him to an already promising defensive prospect pool that includes Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz. Many analysts had projected Mews as a potential first-round pick, or at worst, a second-round selection. However, concerns over his defensive play saw him slide to the third round, potentially making him a steal for the Flames in the years to come.

In the FlamesNation 2024 summer prospects list, Mews made his debut ranking ninth overall.

The 2024-2025 season began with the Ottawa 67’s, though Mews got off to a slower start—going goalless in his first 12 games but still managing 11 assists. His production ramped up in November, when he tallied seven goals and 10 assists, followed by an exceptional December, during which he recorded four goals and 16 assists in just 11 games. His dominant performance earned him OHL Defenceman of the Month honours.

Hours before the OHL trade deadline on Jan. 10, Mews was traded to the Sudbury Wolves in a blockbuster deal. With little time to spare, he packed his bags and arrived for his first game with the Wolves just 30 minutes before puck drop. He made an immediate impact, scoring a goal and adding two assists in his debut. Not too bad of an introduction.

While Mews continues to work on his defensive consistency, his offensive production remains elite. He currently has points in ten consecutive games. Through 51 games this season, Mews has amassed 68 points—13 goals and 55 assists—ranking 17th among all OHL skaters and second among defencemen, trailing only fellow Flames prospect Zayne Parekh (74 points). Notably, Mews leads all OHL defencemen in power-play points with 28.

He has already surpassed his point total from last season and continues to set new career highs with each point scored. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t considered for Canada’s World Junior team this year, but he should be a near-lock to make the squad next winter.

Mews possesses the tools of a gifted offensive defenceman and power-play specialist. The Flames plan to be patient with his development, hoping he can round out his defensive game. If he succeeds in doing so, he could become a truly special player. However, with Mews being a right-shot defenceman who has proven himself as an strong offensive producer, could he force Calgary’s hand and make the jump to pro hockey sooner than expected? For now, the focus remains on steady development, with the first step being the signing of an entry-level contract.

With Flames prospect Dustin Wolf graduating from prospect status and Mews enjoying a stellar season, the Flames’ prospect rankings are expected to shift this summer. The only question is: how high will Mews climb on that list?