The 2024 draft looks like a great one for the Calgary Flames.
Specifically, their picks from the Ontario Hockey League have been terrific, with top prospect Zayne Parekh scoring 25 goals and 74 points in 64 games. However, Jacob Battaglia is the prospect we’ll look at in this article.
Playing his sophomore season for the Kingston Frontenacs, the winger scored 31 goals and 65 points in 67 games, with an additional three goals and four points in five postseason games. On Jun. 29, the second day of the 2024 National Hockey League entry draft, the Flames selected Battaglia with the 62nd overall pick in the second round.
Heading into the 2024-25 season, Battaglia ranked as our 11th-best prospect. His scouting report from McKeen’s Hockey notes that he’s strong and has good hockey IQ. Moreover, he isn’t afraid of doing dirty work, unlike Tony Soprano. He’s a great passer and scorer but needs to improve his skating. Overall, he had the makings of a middle-six winger coming into the 2024-25 season.
Well, Battaglia will likely get a bump as he’s tearing up the OHL this season with the Frontenacs. In just 52 games, he’s surpassed his career-high of 31 goals by a goal and blew by his previous best point total, jumping from 65 points to 73 points. His 32 goals are tied for the seventh-most in the league (one ahead of fellow Flame prospect Luke Misa) while Battaglia’s 73 points are tied for 12th. As of Feb. 15, he’s on pace for 41 goals and 95 points.
He leads his team in both goals and is second in points by just one as Cédrick Guindon has 30 goals and 74 points. The jump Battaglia and Guindon have had this season has put the Frontenacs in a much better position than in 2023-24.
As it stands, the Frontenacs have a 31-14-7 record with 69 points, tied for second in the OHL’s Eastern Conference. However, they aren’t too far behind the Oshawa Generals, who have 71 points, while they’re tied with the Brantford Bulldogs and Barrie Colts. There’s a chance that the Frotenacs could go on a deep postseason run in a weak Eastern Conference, which would only help Battaglia’s stock.
All in all, the 18-year-old has become one of the Flames’ better forward prospects as he’s shown an ability to score goals and get involved in board battles. Unless he makes the National Hockey League this season, Battaglia will return to the OHL in 2025-26 where he could challenge for the most points in the league if all goes well. The Flames got a good one, and it’ll be exciting to see how he develops, especially once he reaches the professional level.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
This article is presented by Bon Ton Meat Market
A Tradition of quality products and personalized service for 104 years.
Proud to feature only the finest premium AAA Alberta Beef, Locally raised fresh pork, locally raised fresh free range chicken and turkey, fresh alberta lamb and milk fed veal.
Over 20 varieties of in store made salads, delicious desserts and of course our famous in store made meat pies. Proud to be Calgary, and Southern Alberta’s Consumers Choice Award Winner for best Meat and Deli for 24 consecutive years! Bon Ton Meat Market, 28 Crowfoot Circle NW.
