logo
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
FN’s mid-season Flames prospect updates: Etienne Morin
alt
Photo credit: David Moll/Calgary Wranglers
Paige Siewert
Mar 3, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Mar 2, 2026, 22:44 EST
Comments
It’s been a huge learning year for Calgary Flames prospect Etienne Morin. The former Moncton Wildcats defenceman was drafted by Calgary back in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and got his first appearance with a Flames-affiliated team in the 2023-24 season. He played just one game with the Wranglers and finished up his junior career with Moncton in 2024-25. They captured the championship that season, winning the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. Morin played a huge part in that scoring, 58 points in 62 games in the regular season and 20 points in 19 playoff games.
In junior, Morin contributed a lot in scoring. He hit a career high in his draft year in the 2022-23 season when he had 21 goals and 51 assists for a total of 72 points in 67 games. Naturally, assists are what make up the majority of his stat line as a blueliner, but he still has the capability to put the puck in the net. 
In his first season of professional hockey, he hasn’t been up to that level of production. Understandably, there are some growing pains making the jump from the QMJHL to the AHL, but he is absorbing what he can from the veterans on the Wranglers and especially working on the mental toughness aspect of his game. 
Morin started the season with the Wranglers and wasn’t getting much playing time, so he was sent to the Rapid City Rush and played two games with them on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8. He went back to the Wranglers for four games then was assigned back to the Rush again for another five games. In his first game back with the Rush, he scored his first professional goal in his two point night against the Idaho Steelheads.
https://twitter.com/RapidCityRush/status/1994606509565907247
He ended up playing a total of seven games with the Rush and had three points in that stretch. He returned back to the Wranglers on Dec. 7 and played in their next game on Dec. 9. Two games later, he netted his first AHL goal against the Abbotsford Canucks on Dec. 13. 
https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/2000039474160627912
In 2026, Morin started showing consistency in the scoring aspect of things. He had two assists in January and another two in February, including assists in back-to-back against the San Jose Barracuda earlier this week.
Etienne put it in his own words what his thoughts on his season are. He said:
“It’s been really hard to be honest. But I’m just trying to go day by day. Be a bit better version of myself every night and that’s what I focus on right now.”
He continued:
“One of the reasons why I say it’s been hard is I haven’t been producing. I haven’t been showing, unfortunately, what I can do. Like I said, it’s a learning process and it takes time so I’m sure one day it’ll just click but obviously it’s fun to get those.” 
Morin has played in 27 games with the Wranglers so far this season and has a total of five points (1G, 4A) in that stretch. Depth-wise, Morin is usually a sixth or seventh defenceman and tends to swap time with Artem Grushnikov depending on who is performing. Calgary has faced a bit of an injury bug with their forwards, so at times, they run an 11-forward, seven-defenceman system. This helps get cusp guys like Morin in the lineup. When he does slot in, Morin makes a point of showing what he’s got. He said:
“Just showing I can play hard. I think that’s a big thing, especially for other guys coming in. The difference between junior and here is the size and the strength of the guys. So just playing hard, and I’m just trying to show the skills that I have. Being smart with the puck and other stuff like that.”
Morin has rotated D-partners throughout the season, getting some time with Nick Cicek, Simon Mack and most recently, newcomer Gavin White. White has been complimentary to Morin as he brings a lot of speed and energy to his game. They feel like a young guns pairing that have the capability to make things happen in big game moments. This pairing has felt like a refresh for Morin and instils confidence in both players.
For the rest of the season, Morin wants to continue to show improvement and help the team in any way he can. He said:
“It’s a learning process. It’s not always gonna go uphill. There’s gonna be a lot of bumps. Just mental toughness, and that’s what I’ve been learning a lot this year. Patience. Having time and just being more strong mentally. That’s what you get from the older guys. Just the experience and they’ve lived it too so just trying to help us with that.”
The Wranglers feel like they’ve only scratched the surface of what Morin can bring to the team. In a developmental league, this is not uncommon. His rookie season might not be the flashy year he would’ve liked so far, but the ceiling is high for Morin and he could be a sneaky breakout defender we see develop in the near future as he continues to adjust his game to the pace of pro.

PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code FLAMESNATION (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)

Editorials

Breaking News