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Speedy centre Cole Reschny could be had by the Flames in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft
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Photo credit: Victoria Royals - Kevin Light
Flash Stevens
Jun 26, 2025, 08:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 25, 2025, 00:19 EDT
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The 2025 NHL Draft is coming up fast and the Calgary Flames are on the hunt for some young talent that can develop into making a significant impact. One player that could be had where Calgary is picking (18th) is Victoria Royals centre Cole Reschny.

Scouting report

Reschny should be considered one of the best playmakers in this entire draft class. His Hockey IQ and ability to find the open man in almost any situation is already at a very high level. One of his best attributes is his speed which he uses to find open space – whether down-low in the zone or up high on the boards – to then create scoring opportunities. Skating, vision, and instincts are not a concern when it comes to Reschny. If one of the only complaints is that the player needs to shoot more that itself is a sign of the skill that could be available.
Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s the scouting report from Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis in his final draft rankings where he has Reschny at 16:
Reschny is coming off an outstanding showing at the U-18 World Championship. He didn’t start the tournament on time, but he was a big reason why Canada won gold. Reschny’s ability to produce no matter the situation makes him so intriguing. He’s not huge, but he makes up for it with explosive speed and elusiveness, making him a tough player to contain on the rush. He’s an outstanding playmaker, maybe one of the best in this class. Reschny’s competitive nature will take him far, and he has proven internationally he can be an offensive catalyst with other high-end prospects.
and for good measure how about Scott Wheeler from The Athletic (subscription required):
…He’s one of the best 200-foot players in this class and also one of its smartest offensive players. Though some scouts wonder about his first three steps, I think he’s a good skater and certainly a better one than he gets credit for, and I have no issues with his speed or pace whatsoever. He’s got very quick hands. He’s stronger on pucks and in battles than his height might suggest at a glance, with a thick lower half and an ability to protect pucks and shed contact low in the zone. He plays an excellent, trustworthy, dependable and consistent three-zone game…
When it comes time to score Reschny finds a way to contribute. He’s represented big time for Canada at the U-17 and U-18 world championships. He’s headed to the NCAA for 2025-26 to join the University of North Dakota. He contributes consistently in playoff games and in elimination scenarios. Personally, I feel like Reschny should go a lot higher than projected, but that is just possibly some good news for the Flames at pick 18.

The numbers

2023-24: Victoria Royals (WHL), 61 GP 21g-38a-59p
2024-25: Victoria Royals (WHL), 62 GP, 26g-66a-92p
NHLe is not perfect but it does give an incredibly informed insight towards possible patterns. What happens after the draft is extremely important because, as we know, sometimes prospects do not live up to potential. It at least provides an unbiased platform to compare statistical seasons across leagues and find historical comparables. Cole Reschny looks like a guy you could turn into a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins type player, but then again he could end up like Jacob Perreault’s too. Does your organization have what it takes to develop playmaking talent like this? That’s the real question. I think the Flames do.

Availability and fit

Reschny’s spot on various lists is higher in the first round or lower, depending on which one you are perusing. However, all of the major lists rank him as a first round talent – I could not agree more. For instance Craig Button of TSN has him ranked 14th, Eliis had him at 16, Jason Bukala of Sportsnet has him 17th. Others have him fairly lower – in the early 20s range – with NHL Central Scouting ranking him the 25th North American skater.
I believe this is the type of high-end skill player that can fall in the draft – similar to Zayne Parekh last year – where Calgary can get a steal of an offensive weapon. Using assets to move up 3-4 picks and ensuring you get a player like this is also something I support. Calgary can get the Western Canadian kid if they want him – It would thrill me.
Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you’re tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.

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