We’re well into the month of September, folks, with October and the start of the National Hockey League season waiting just over the horizon.
In the meantime, this coming weekend will see several of the Calgary Flames’ top prospects start their major junior seasons throughout Canada. And a handful of players are already active in Europe, too.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s to come!

Canada

Forward Jacob Battaglia was the first of the Flames’ Canadian prospects to get into game action. The second-rounder had 65 points over 67 games last season. He played his first game of the season for Kingston on Thursday night against Peterborough and had three points, so he’s off to a good start.
On Friday, we could see five more Flames picks from the 2024 draft get going:
  • First-rounder Matvei Gridin with the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes
  • Third-rounder Henry Mews with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s
  • Fifth-rounder Luke Misa with the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads
  • Second-rounder Andrew Basha for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers
  • Sixth-rounder Hunter Laing with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars
Gridin would be making his Canadian major junior debut after spending the past two seasons with the United States Hockey League’s Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Meanwhile, three more could play their first games on Saturday:
  • 2023 second-rounder Etienne Morin with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats
  • 2023 seventh-rounder Axel Hurtig with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen
  • 2024 sixth-rounder Eric Jamieson with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips
Hurtig would be making his Canadian major junior debut after playing in Sweden last season. And yes, you can see him play at the Hitmen home opener on Sunday when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Four junior-eligible prospects remain active at Flames training camp: Samuel Honzek, Jaden Lipinski, Hunter Brzustewicz and Zayne Parekh. It’s looking incredibly likely that Parekh will return to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit for the coming season, while Honzek, Lipinski and Brzustewicz will be with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.

Russia

The Flames have three goaltending prospects playing in Russia.
2020 fourth-rounder Daniil Chechelev has yet to see any game time. He began the season as the backup in the second-tier VHL, playing for Yunisov-Moskva. After dressing for three games as backup for Yunisov, he was called up to the KHL’s Vityaz Chekhov, where he’s been serving as their third-string goaltender.
Meanwhile, 2024 third-rounder Kirill Zarubin hasn’t played for the MHL’s Mikhailov Academy (AKM Tula) since being pulled midway during Sept. 9’s loss. He’s dressed twice as backup, though.
Finally, 2023 sixth-rounder Yegor Yegorov is with the VHL’s HC Tambov. He’s dressed three times as backup and played twice in relief – once for a full period and once for just 25 seconds. Confusingly, Tambov also has a forward named Yegor Yegorov who’s two and a half years older than the goaltender of the same name.

Looking ahead

The AHL’s Wranglers get their training camp going on Sunday, and start their regular season on Oct. 11.
Over in the NCAA, the Flames’ various collegiate prospects get their seasons going in early October. Exhibition games take place next weekend and then the regular season begins the following weekend.
Which Flames prospects are you most excited to see this coming season? Let us know in the comments!