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FN’s 2025 Flames summer prospect rankings – #5: Cullen Potter
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Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mike Gould
Aug 23, 2025, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 21, 2025, 21:27 EDT
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Prior to 2024, the Calgary Flames had made multiple first-round picks in the same draft just once in their history.
Now, they’ve done it the last two years in a row, and with the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2026 first-rounder also in their possession, they’re on track to make at least six top-32 picks in a three-year span. That’s uncharted territory — at least, it is for this franchise.
The Flames had to watch all spring long as the Florida Panthers steamrolled their way through the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, reducing the value of their first-round pick in the process. But in the end, it all kind of worked out. For one, the Panthers prevented their arch rivals from winning it all for the second consecutive year; and on top of that, the Flames ended up getting a guy at No. 32 overall who they probably would’ve taken higher had Florida bowed out earlier.
Today, we’re talking about the first Arizona State Sun Devil to be selected in the first round of the NHL draft: Cullen Potter.

Cullen Potter

Centre, shoots left
Born Jan. 10, 2007 (age 18) in Minneapolis, MN
5’10”, 172 pounds
Drafted in the first round (32nd overall) by Calgary in the 2025 NHL Draft
It’s exceptionally rare for a player to succeed in NCAA Division I men’s hockey as a teenager, let alone before their 18th birthday, but that’s exactly what Potter did at ASU in the 2024-25 season. Playing primarily as the No. 2 centre for head coach Greg Powers throughout the year, Potter recorded 13 goals and 22 points in 35 games, enough to finish eighth on the team — and second in points only to Boston College centre James Hagens among collegiate players in their first year of draft eligibility. Hagens, of course, went to the Bruins with the No. 7 overall pick, a full 25 spots ahead of where the Flames snagged Potter.
Hagens entered the 2024-25 campaign as one of the most highly-touted prospects available for the 2025 draft, and he also had the enormous benefit of skating alongside established NCAA stars in Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard at Boston College. Potter had far fewer advantages at ASU, one of the newest D1 programs in the nation with hardly any NHL-affiliated prospects on its roster. And yet Potter still exceeded Hagens’ 2024-25 goal total by two, matching the output delivered by ex-Flame Mike Cammalleri in his own age-17 draft year at Michigan 25 years ago — and as a full-fledged centre, no less. It was a remarkably impressive freshman campaign for one of the youngest players we’ve ever seen in the college hockey ranks, and it’s safe to say ASU would’ve had a much tougher time finishing second in the NCHC (ahead of even Denver and North Dakota) with a lesser second-line pivot in his place.
Potter is fast. He plays the game with remarkable pace and is (mostly) capable of keeping his hands in sync with his feet. He also scored at a much more consistent pace over the second half of his draft year and continued onward and upward into the U18s this past spring, finishing with four goals and eight points in seven games as Team USA won bronze. Don’t be surprised if USA Hockey heavily weighs Potter’s terrific performance at that tournament when determining what kind of role he might play for them at the World Juniors later this year. Depending on what happens with Zayne Parekh this winter, Potter might end up being the top Flames prospect to watch once Boxing Day rolls around.
Interestingly enough, Potter has a chance to become the first son of a former Olympic women’s ice hockey player to make the NHL if he does latch on with the Flames. His mother, Jenny Potter, was a star forward in her own right who racked up 11 goals and 30 points in 19 games with Team USA over four Olympic appearances between age 19 and 31 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010). She set numerous records during her own NCAA career, even scoring six goals in a single game with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in 2002, and eventually won a championship and league MVP award with the Minnesota Whitecaps in 2009. If Cullen is able to accomplish even half that much in his own pro career, the Flames will be thrilled.
Here’s how Arizona State Press hockey beat writer Niall Rosenberg described Potter’s contributions to the Sun Devils as a freshman:
Cullen Potter came to ASU with a lot of hype around himself. Every time you would watch him, you would know the talent level he has. He has elite skating, as well as elite stick handling. He’s a human highlight reel every time he plays. He did have an adjustment period, being out bodied a lot. Towards the end of the season he really turned it on. His two-way game does need a bit of work, but it was miles better in the second half. Coach Powers himself touched on his improvement. This next season at ASU I fully expect him to turn it up another notch and be one of the best players in college hockey.
Added The State Press’ other hockey beat writer, Giovanni Barberio:
Potter is an extremely talented player who is quick on his feet and in his play-making. Although there were talks of Potter not being ready for college hockey prior to his freshman year at Arizona State, he was an essential piece to his team’s offense this season.  He is a very exciting player who is continuing to develop beyond his expectations.

Expectations for 2025-26

As Rosenberg alluded to, the time has come for Potter to take a big step forward at ASU. He already has one year under his belt, which he capped off with an outstanding performance at the U18s. Now, he’s at the age where most legit prospects are only just entering college — and he already knows what he needs to do to truly thrive at that level. That’s a huge advantage.
The Sun Devils have added some decent players, including Minnesota draft pick Justin Kipkie, but Potter will be looked upon to be even more of a focal point for their offence as a sophomore. With good wingers and consistent power-play time, there’s no reason why Potter shouldn’t be able to exceed the point-per-game mark in 2025-26. He’s got the skill, speed, and smarts — now, he just needs to put it all together. And if he can contribute at the World Juniors, even better.

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