Team

Betting

FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA

FN’s 2026 Flames summer prospect rankings – #14: Jonathan Castagna

Photo credit: Leilani Burke/Cornell Athletics

By Paige Siewert

Aug 17, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 17, 2026, 00:21 EDT

Comments

Jonathan Castagna was added to the Calgary Flames’ prospect pool in March as a piece of the MacKenzie Weegar trade with the Utah Mammoth that brought Olli Maatta to Calgary. By the end of March, the Flames signed Castagna to an entry level deal starting in 2026-27, and he came to Calgary to take in a few games and be around the club before their season ended. (Had the Cornell University product been a little less banged up following the end of his NCAA season, his ELC probably would’ve started right away and we would’ve very likely seen a few games out of the centre.)

Castagana debuts at 14th spot on our annual prospect countdown.

Jonathan Castagna

Forward; shoots left
Born Apr. 20, 2005 (age 21) in Etobicoke, ON
6’2”, 203 pounds
Drafted in the third round (70th overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023 NHL Draft

Growing up in Ontario, Castagna’s early hockey experiences were local and he had a bit of an overlap in high school in 2021-22 with Aydar Suniev on the St. Andrew’s College hockey team. When it was time to pursue post-secondary education, Castagna committed to Cornell University and put up 25 points in 35 games his freshman season. The next year, he had a little bit of a points drop with 15 points in 32 games but his most recent junior season was his best, with a point per game average. Castagna served as the alternate captain and put up 34 points in 34 games, broken down by 15 goals and 19 assists.

Flames Prospects

@BlastyProspects

·Follow

🎥 Here are some clips of Jonathan Castagna, the most recent addition to the #Flames prospect pool. He can REALLY fly.

Watch on X

8:20 PM · Mar 6, 2026

Read 3 replies

Jonathan Castagna was traded to Calgary before his junior year came to a close and when his season ended in a loss in regionals on Mar. 27, he got his contract squared away with Calgary three days later and will be playing his first season of professional hockey next year. Castagna was one of the standouts at the Flames’ rookie camp they had back in early July and carries himself with a lot of confidence. He has a few more years of experience in high level hockey going the NCAA route and was a cut above some of the younger guys who were just freshly drafted.

Cornell sports writer Jane McNally from the Cornell Daily Sun provided us with some information about Castagna and said,

Castagna had a breakout year of sorts in 2025-26 (his junior year) after a bit of a sophomore slump — I personally had not viewed him as a potential NHL signee when the season started, and he proved me wrong. He hit career bests in almost all categories, none greater than in faceoff % (65.2% led the entire NCAA). That’s one of the categories he’s improved upon steadily in his three years at Cornell. He plays a fast, energetic game that has (and will need to continue to) become much more polished and patient, particularly offensively. But if this season was any indication, he is trending quite positively (and quite fast) in his development. He’s an outstanding skater, a strong leader from what I heard, and someone who consistently wants to get better in all areas.

Expectations for the 2026-27 season

Castagna is on the Wranglers roster for this upcoming year and expected to spend the season in the AHL. He could be a player that surprises and pushes for a call-up depending on how quickly he is able to adjust to pro hockey. There is typically a bit of a learning curve but the college guys seem to pick it up a bit quicker than the junior guys. Castagna should be a regular centre and could push to be the Wranglers’ first or second line centre. Right now the depth is pretty steep with others like Sam Morton, Rory Kerins, Tyson Gross, and Ben Jones on the roster but that’s not to say 1C is not his if he can earn it, justify it and keep it.

Regardless of where Castagna lands in the Wranglers’ depth down the middle, he is coming in expected to be a top performer. His familiarity with Aydar Suniev is interesting and may create a bit of chemistry that can throw them on a line together with someone like William Stromgren on their other wing. Those three could put up a lot of points together and would have complementary skills to each other. I’d really like to see Castagna make a smooth transition and not be hidden on the bottom of the lineup in the AHL. His upside, speed, hockey IQ and potential are very intriguing and could put him in a very real conversation for a spot with the Flames as soon as next season, depending on how this year goes. A lot of pressure for a rookie, but he seems to be built for it.

Sponsored by bet365: