Friends, we have some good news and some bad news when it comes to the Calgary Flames and their many, many prospects.
The good news is that several of these players are having strong seasons. We arbitrarily use 30 NHLe – NHL equivalent points, a rough tool used to compare production in lower leagues to the NHL – as a cut-off for an impressive season. As December approaches, five junior-aged players are scoring at that level: Aydar Suniev, Jacob Battaglia, Henry Mews, Luke Misa and Zayne Parekh. Andrew Basha and Matvei Gridin are scoring at just shy of that pace.
So here’s the challenge: not a ton of those players are likely to play at this year’s World Juniors. First, Suniev and Gridin are Russian, and Russia’s national team is excluded from IIHF-run events as a sanction for the invasion of Ukraine. Second, Battaglia, Mews, Misa, Parekh and Basha are all Canadian, and the 2005 and 2006 age groups have an abundance of riches when it comes to strong Canadian players.
Basha and Misa are in their final years of World Junior eligibility – they’re late 2005 birthdays – and seem unlikely to make the World Juniors. Meanwhile, there’s a good chance that Parekh makes it because of his past Hockey Canada experience, draft pedigree and performance this season. Some forecasts of the Canadian roster have Etienne Morin on them as well, but not all. And Axel Hurtig has played for the Swedish national team in the past and is on their radar for the World Juniors, but his offensive production in the WHL has been modest and that may hurt his chances.
In short: Parekh may be the only Flames prospect – from a really strong cohort of talented young players – to play in this year’s World Juniors. So we hope you’re all prepared to cheer loudly for Canada in the tournament.
Jonathan Aspirot – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
25; signed as a free agent; 6’0″, 200 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 15 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 15.94 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 66 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 94 | 19.93 |
Aspirot played in two of the Wranglers three games, posting an assist this week.
Andrew Basha – LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
19; Calgary’s second round pick (41st overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 5’11”, 174 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 5th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 17 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 56 | 29.13 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 63 | 30 | 55 | 85 | 69 | 52 | 41 | 189 | 33.41 |
Basha is listed as out week-to-week with an upper body injury
Jacob Battaglia – LW, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
18; Calgary’s second round pick (62nd overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 196 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 11th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 25 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 31 | 23 | 20 | 76 | 37.08 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 54 | 39 | 34 | 168 | 25.70 |
Battaglia continues to be one of the top offensive producers in the OHL, with four points over three games this week. So far this season, he’s producing over a primary point per game.
Parker Bell – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Calgary’s fifth round pick (155th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 192 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2.85 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 59 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 50 | 35 | 31 | 231 | 26.86 |
Bell has carved out a spot for himself in the Wranglers’ fourth line mix in his first season of pro hockey. He was scratched once this week.
Jake Boltmann – D, Northeastern University Huskies, NCAA/Hockey East
23; Calgary’s third round pick (80th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 188 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 9.10 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 1.82 |
Boltmann had zero points over two games this week.
Hunter Brzustewicz – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
19; Vancouver’s third round pick (75th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; Acquired in a trade with Vancouver; 6’0″, 190 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 3rd-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4.43 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 13 | 79 | 92 | 46 | 65 | 34 | 140 | 36.37 |
Brzustewicz had a tough outing against Tucson – posting a minus-2 – and was given the night off in their next game. The Wranglers coaching staff did the same thing with Artem Grushnikov earlier this season, giving him a breather after a tough outing. Brzustewicz has been a really solid player, especially for someone who’s still a teen, but there will be some challenging outings along the way.
Lucas Ciona – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Calgary’s sixth round pick (173rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 210 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 15 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 18.60 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 55 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 67 | 4.35 |
If you’re looking for reasons to be optimistic about Parker Bell’s development, let us present Ciona. After a bit of an up and down season in 2023-24, Ciona has really carved out a strong energy role for himself with the Wranglers. He scores occasionally, but he’s also really good at using speed and physicality to frustrate the opposition.
Matt Coronato – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s first round pick (13th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 183 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 39.85 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 41 | 15 | 27 | 42 | 28 | 27 | 17 | 140 | 40.82 |
Coronato is in the NHL.
Matvei Gridin – RW, Shawinigan Cataractes, QMJHL
18; Calgary’s first round pick (28th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 182 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 6th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 22 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 81 | 28.58 |
2023-24 (USHL) | 60 | 38 | 45 | 83 | 67 | 49 | 42 | 208 | 31.76 |
Gridin had five points over three games this week. He’s adjusted really nicely to the QMJHL.
Artem Grushnikov – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Dallas’ second round pick (48th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; Acquired in a trade with Dallas; 6’1″, 203 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 17th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 65 | 3.80 |
We’re still waiting on Grushnikov’s first point of the season. He is playing a reliable, consistent defensive game, but some points would be nice, too.
Sam Honzek – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; Calgary’s first round pick (16th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 186 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 4th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 17.71 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 33 | 10 | 21 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 86 | 23.26 |
Honzek was held off the scoresheet this week.
Trevor Hoskin – RW, Niagara University Purple Eagles, NCAA/AHA
20; Calgary’s fourth round pick (106th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 175 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 15 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 13.79 |
2023-24 (OJHL) | 52 | 42 | 58 | 100 | 85 | 60 | 50 | 189 | 5.36 |
Hoskin scored a goal this week. He’s established himself as one of the top freshmen in his conference.
Axel Hurtig – D, Calgary Hitmen, WHL
19; Calgary’s seventh round pick (208th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 202 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 22 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 4.50 |
2023-24 (J20) | 27 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 54 | 15.10 |
The Hitmen had a lean schedule this week, playing just one game.
Eric Jamieson – D, Everett Silvertips, WHL
19; Calgary’s seventh round pick (208th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 200 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 24 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 61 | 10.32 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 174 | 12.01 |
The Silvertips had a hectic schedule this week, playing five games over eight days. Jamieson scored two goals.
Joni Jurmo – D, Rapid City Rush, ECHL
22; Vancouver’s third round pick (82nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; Acquired in a trade with Vancouver; 6’3″, 190 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 9 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 17.86 |
2023-24 (Liiga) | 46 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 4.03 |
Jurmo continued his nice run in the ECHL, with two points over three games.
Rory Kerins – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s sixth round pick (174th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 175 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 19 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 51 | 39.85 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 54 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 115 | 23.62 |
Kerins kept up his scoring pace, with two assists this week.
Adam Klapka – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Free agent signing; 6’8″, 235 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 15th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 45.55 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 65 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 34 | 31 | 22 | 182 | 27.59 |
Klapka is in the NHL.
Yan Kuznetsov – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s second round pick (50th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 209 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 20th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 19 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 22 | 14.68 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 88 | 8.22 |
Kuznetsov had a nice offensive outburst, posting two assists this week.
Hunter Laing – C/RW, Prince George Cougars, WHL
18; Calgary’s sixth round pick (170th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’5″, 205 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 21 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 37 | 16.51 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 101 | 9.38 |
The Cougars played just a single game this week, but Laing had two helpers in it.
Jaden Lipinski – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Vancouver Giants, WHL
19; Calgary’s fourth round pick (112th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’4″, 204 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 16th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
WHL season to date | 13 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 27 | 22.86 |
AHL season to date | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 67 | 24 | 42 | 66 | 47 | 33 | 23 | 181 | 24.39 |
Lipinski has settled into his role with the Giants, posting just shy of a point per game and winning just over half of his face-offs. He’s doing essentially what he did as a 19-year-old.
Cade Littler – C/RW, University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, NCAA/NCHC
20; Calgary’s seventh round pick (219th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 197 pounds; shoots right
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 9.82 |
2023-24 (BCHL) | 24 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 17 | 9 | 6 | – | 5.51 |
Littler didn’t have any points this week, but due to North Dakota’s injuries he played on their second line.
Henry Mews – D, Ottawa 67’s, OHL
18; Calgary’s third round pick (74th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 181 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 9th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 22 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 101 | 32.51 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 65 | 15 | 46 | 61 | 38 | 35 | 24 | 153 | 24.86 |
Mews has over 100 shots. He also posted four points in three games, and has found another gear to his offensive production over the past few weeks.
Luke Misa – LW/C, Brampton Steelheads, OHL
19; Calgary’s fifth round pick (150th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 170 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 13th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 22 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 18 | 20 | 13 | 54 | 32.51 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 26 | 55 | 81 | 56 | 58 | 39 | 210 | 32.51 |
Misa got off to a bit of a slow offensive start, but he’s really found his consistency over the last while. He had four points this week.
Etienne Morin – D, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
19; Calgary’s second round pick (48th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 180 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 10th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 22 | 6 | 18 | 24 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 72 | 25.41 |
2023-24 (QMJHL) | 58 | 12 | 37 | 49 | 32 | 21 | 13 | 191 | 19.67 |
Morin continued his really strong season, with four points this week.
Sam Morton – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
25; Free agent signing; 6’0″, 185 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 19 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 27.27 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 37 | 24 | 10 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 19 | 151 | 24.00 |
Morton had an assist this week.
Ilya Nikolaev – C/LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Rapid City Rush, ECHL
23; Calgary’s third round pick (88th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 190 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
AHL season to date | 9 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 17.71 |
ECHL season to date | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 29 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 8.25 |
Nikolaev was sent down to the ECHL, played a pair of games over the weekend, and then was called back up to the Wranglers.
Zayne Parekh – D, Saginaw Spirit, OHL
18; Calgary’s first round pick (9th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’0″, 179 pounds; shoots right; FN’s 1st-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 21 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 89 | 36.58 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 33 | 63 | 96 | 66 | 54 | 39 | 224 | 38.53 |
Parekh had six points over three games this week. Six points! He was given a match penalty for a cross-checking incident in Wednesday’s loss to Windsor, though.
Jakob Pelletier – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
23; Calgary’s first round pick (26th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft; 5’9″, 170 pounds; shoots left
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 19 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 40 | 37.75 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 18 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 26.57 |
Pelletier had a goal and an assist this week. He remains among the AHL’s scoring leaders.
Jeremie Poirier – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
22; Calgary’s third round pick (72nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’1″, 196 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 7th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 19 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 38 | 16.78 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 23 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 22.53 |
After a slow start Poirier may be getting his swagger back offensively. He had two points this week.
Ilya Solovyov – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 208 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 14th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 15 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 18 | 26.57 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 51 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 88 | 11.72 |
Solovyov remains an incredibly consistent young pro. He had two points this week, continuing a really nice scoring clip for a two-way defender.
William Strömgren – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; Calgary’s second round pick (45th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 175 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 8th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 19 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 25.17 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 68 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 74 | 15.82 |
Strömgren had an assist this week.
Aydar Suniev – LW/C, University of Massachusetts Minutemen, NCAA/Hockey East
20; Calgary’s third round pick (80th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’2″, 198 pounds; shoots left; FN’s 12th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | G | A | P | P1 | 5v5 P | 5v5 P1 | SH | NHLe | |
Season to date | 14 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 60 | 36.83 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 35 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 100 | 23.02 |
This week Suniev had a goal, an assist, and many, many shots. Even in games where he’s not scoring, he’s generating chances and looks pretty consistently.
Daniil Chechelev – G, Yunison-Moskva, VHL
23; Calgary’s fourth round pick (96th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 187 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 3 | 125 | .825 |
2023-24 (VHL) | 5 | 271 | .908 |
Chechelev didn’t dress in any games this week.
Waltteri Ignatjew – G, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Signed as a free agent; 6’3″, 200 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 6 | 348 | .872 |
2023-24 (SWE-1) | 45 | 2614 | .918 |
Ignatjew had one start and allowed five goals in a loss to Tucson. He’s still pretty new to North American hockey, so there’s going to be some growing pains as he figures it out.
Arsenii Sergeev – G, Penn State University Nittany Lions, NCAA/Big 10
21; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 192 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 9 | 487 | .905 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 16 | 934 | .913 |
Sergeev missed Penn State’s games this week with a lower body injury.
Yegor Yegorov – G, HC Tambov, VHL / MHC Tambov, NMHL
19; Calgary’s sixth round pick (176th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 183 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
VHL season to date | 4 | 160 | .870 |
NMHL season to date | 8 | 449 | .891 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 25 | 1319 | .917 |
Yegorov didn’t play this week.
Kirill Zarubin – G, AKM Tula, MHL
19; Calgary’s third round pick (84th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 178 pounds; FN’s 19th-ranked prospect 2024
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 8 | 428 | .923 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 45 | 2473 | .927 |
Zarubin return to action for AKM Tula after being away from the club at Russia’s national team camp. He won his lone start.
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