Just two days after being cut from his second NHL training camp, Calgary Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia was named captain of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday.

Battaglia, 19, was released from Flames camp on Tuesday alongside fellow junior prospect Axel Hurtig, who will return to the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen for the 2025-26 season. The 6’1″ winger is entering his fourth (and likely final) season with Kingston, having collected 40 goals and 90 points in just 68 games with the Frontenacs in 2024-25.

“It’s an honor to wear the captaincy and lead our team to a successful season.” Battaglia said in a statement released on Thursday. “All the captains before me are great players and, again, what an honor to be mentioned in the same group as them.”

Battaglia will serve as the 47th captain in Frontenacs history, succeeding St. Louis Blues defence prospect Quinton Burns, who wore the ‘C’ last year. Frontenacs head coach Troy Mann had previously named Battaglia an alternate captain for the 2024-25 season.

“Bates and I have built a pretty strong relationship from day one and I think he has done everything that has been asked of him as a player,” Mann said Thursday. “He has matured on and off the ice and I truly believe that this is his team now.”

The Flames originally selected Battaglia in the second round (No. 62 overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, using the pick they received from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenceman Chris Tanev. Battaglia signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Flames this past March.

Tyler Hopkins, Will Bishop, Maleek McGowan, and Vann Williamson will serve as alternate captains under Battaglia in the 2025-26 season, with two wearing an ‘A’ at home and the other two wearing it during road games.

Since establishing himself as a regular with the Frontenacs in 2022-23, Battaglia has collected 78 goals and 182 points over the last three OHL seasons. The Mississauga product has added six goals and 20 points in 16 career playoff contests.

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