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The Wranglers are near the top of the American Hockey League
The Calgary Wranglers have played a lot of hockey so far this season. As of Tuesday evening, only the Hershey Bears have played as many games (14) as the Wranglers.
The Wranglers have also won a lot of games this season, and they lead the AHL in victories with 11 as of mid-week. And while you can tut-tut their accomplishment a little bit because they’ve played more games than just about every other team, if you go by points percentage they’re still fourth in the AHL overall – behind only Milwaukee, Laval and Toronto.
What’s working so far for the Baby Flames? A lot. Devin Cooley has given them splendid goaltending. They’ve gotten solid defending for the most part, including a penalty kill that’s in the AHL’s top 10. And while they’re not an offensive powerhouse overall – their power play isn’t anything to write home about – they’ve gotten some timely contributions from Rory Kerins, Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier, who are all in the AHL’s top 10 in points.
The Wranglers have lost Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka to the NHL (for now). We’ll see if the Wranglers can continue their strong play in their absence.
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 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 14.49 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 66 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 94 | 19.93 |
Aspirot was quiet offensively this week, as he bounced around from pairing to pairing.
Andrew Basha – LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
18; 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 had a quiet offensive week, by his standards, with just a single goal. He missed a game due to 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 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 57 | 39.03 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 54 | 39 | 34 | 168 | 25.70 |
Battaglia is tied for fifth in the OHL in both goals and points.
Parker Bell – LW/C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
20; 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 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3.32 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 59 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 50 | 35 | 31 | 231 | 26.86 |
Bell has settled into the Wranglers’ fourth line rotation. He played two of three games this week as he continues to adjust to pro hockey.
Jake Boltmann – D, Northeastern University Huskies, NCAA/Hockey East
22; 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 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16.38 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 1.82 |
Boltmann returned from his injury and had an assist, officially surpassing his point output from last season.
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 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5.69 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 67 | 13 | 79 | 92 | 46 | 65 | 34 | 140 | 36.37 |
Brzustewicz is still figuring out pro hockey. He’s not generating a ton of points, but he never looks out of place on an AHL blueline. Considering he’s still a teenager, fitting in well in pro hockey is a big accomplishment.
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 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 15.94 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 55 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 67 | 4.35 |
After missing a few games with an injury, Ciona returned on Sunday. He’s settled in as a fourth line fixture for the Wranglers.
Matt Coronato – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
21; 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 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 62 | 24.74 |
2023-24 (USHL) | 60 | 38 | 45 | 83 | 67 | 49 | 42 | 208 | 31.76 |
Gridin continues to chip in with points here and there for Shawinigan. He’s fourth on the team in scoring.
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 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.00 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 65 | 3.80 |
So, Grushnikov had a tough game on Saturday. And by “tough game,” we mean he was minus-4 in a game where the Wranglers gave up five even strength goals against. He was a spectator on Sunday as a healthy scratch.
Sam Honzek – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
19; 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 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9.96 |
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 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 17.35 |
2023-24 (OJHL) | 52 | 42 | 58 | 100 | 85 | 60 | 50 | 189 | 5.36 |
Hoskin continues to quietly put together a really nice freshman year. He added an assist this week.
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 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 4.13 |
2023-24 (J20) | 27 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 54 | 15.10 |
Hurtig boasts size and defensive skill, but he’s not usually much of an offensive producer. But he posted a pair of assists in the Hitmen’s overtime loss against Tri-City… and then had them taken away by the scorekeeper.
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 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 35 | 9.63 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 174 | 12.01 |
Jamieson was held off the scoresheet this week.
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 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 15.31 |
2023-24 (Liiga) | 46 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 4.03 |
After being a healthy extra for the Wranglers for a month, Jurmo was assigned to Rapid City and played his first three North American pro games. And by all accounts he was pretty solid, posting a goal and an assist overall.
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 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 39.85 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 54 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 115 | 23.62 |
Kerins continues to chip in offensively on a consistent basis.
Adam Klapka – RW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
23; 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 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 39.85 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 65 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 34 | 31 | 22 | 182 | 27.59 |
Klapka had five points over three games, then received a call-up to 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 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 14.23 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 63 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 88 | 8.22 |
Kuznetsov popped off for three assists this past 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 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 33 | 15.13 |
2023-24 (WHL) | 66 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 101 | 9.38 |
Laing scored a goal this week. His production has slowed down a tad, but he remains way ahead of last year’s scoring pace.
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 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 21.67 |
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 keeps chipping in points and winning slightly over half of his face-offs. He’s doing well.
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 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 15.43 |
2023-24 (BCHL) | 24 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 17 | 9 | 6 | – | 5.51 |
North Dakota’s had some injury troubles, but it’s led to an opportunity for a bigger role for Littler and he’s taken advantage of it. He scored twice this weekend, potting his first two collegiate goals.
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 | 16 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 68 | 29.80 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 65 | 15 | 46 | 61 | 38 | 35 | 24 | 153 | 24.86 |
Mews continues to produce for the 67’s, posting four assists this week.
Luke Misa – LW/C, Brampton Steelheads, OHL
18; 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 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 43 | 29.60 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 26 | 55 | 81 | 56 | 58 | 39 | 210 | 32.51 |
Misa had four points this week, continuing a nice stretch after a slow offensive start.
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 | 17 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 58 | 26.03 |
2023-24 (QMJHL) | 58 | 12 | 37 | 49 | 32 | 21 | 13 | 191 | 19.67 |
Morin was relatively quiet this week, registering just a single assist.
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 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 28.47 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 37 | 24 | 10 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 19 | 151 | 24.00 |
Morton has gotten back into a nice rhythm on the Wranglers’ second line.
Ilya Nikolaev – C/LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
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 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 29 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 8.25 |
Nikolaev played once this week and was a healthy spectator for the other two games.
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 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 69 | 26.49 |
2023-24 (OHL) | 66 | 33 | 63 | 96 | 66 | 54 | 39 | 224 | 38.53 |
Parekh had zero points this week and also missed a game with an unspecified injury or illness.
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 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 33 | 39.85 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 18 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 26.57 |
Pelletier continues to produce for the Wranglers.
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 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 14.23 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 23 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 22.53 |
Poirier more than doubled this season’s offensive production 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 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 27.90 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 51 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 88 | 11.72 |
Solovyov continues to be reliable defensively, but able to chip in offensively as well.
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 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 19.93 |
2023-24 (AHL) | 68 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 74 | 15.82 |
After a slow start offensively, Strömgren has started to really pile up the points recently.
Aydar Suniev – LW/C, University of Massachusetts Minutemen, NCAA/Hockey East
19; 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 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 37 | 32.23 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 35 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 100 | 23.02 |
Suniev had no points in a pair of weekend losses to Vermont, but he had seven shots on goal.
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 play this week.
Waltteri Ignatjew – G, Calgary Wranglers, AHL
24; Signed as a free agent; 6’3″, 200 pounds
GP | TOI | SV% | |
Season to date | 4 | 229 | .889 |
2023-24 (SWE-1) | 45 | 2614 | .918 |
Ignatjew started one game. The Wranglers’ defence was pretty rough early on, Ignatjew allowed a couple early goals and then spiralled. He was pulled for half a period and then finished the game.
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 | 7 | 421 | .929 |
2023-24 (NCAA) | 16 | 934 | .913 |
Penn State was off this week.
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 | 6 | 362 | .911 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 25 | 1319 | .917 |
Yegorov won his first pro game in the VHL this week. He continues to split time between the second-tier pro VHL and the second-tier junior NMHL.
Kirill Zarubin – G, AKM Tula, MHL
18; 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 | 6 | 327 | .909 |
2023-24 (MHL) | 45 | 2473 | .927 |
Zarubin spent the past couple of weeks with Russia’s national under-20 team at a tournament, but he didn’t get any game action in.
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