Jonathan Castagna has had an excellent year at Cornell. He was excellent when I watched him with St. Andrew's a few years back. Physical, strong skater, good frame. Legit prospect who's stock has really risen this year. @FlamesNation
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What the Flames are getting in Jonathan Castagna
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2026, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Mar 6, 2026, 00:09 EST
On Wednesday afternoon, the Calgary Flames traded veteran defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for three 2nd round picks, NHL defenceman Olli Määttä, and centre prospect Jonathan Castagna.
Castagna was drafted in the 3rd round, 70th overall, of the 2023 NHL draft. He’s played the last three seasons in the NCAA for Cornell University. For those interested it’s the same conference as surging Flames fifth round pick Ethan Wyttenbach – Cornell currently sits 2nd in the division and Castagna leads them in scoring.
The Canadian born prospect stands 6’2” and comes in around 200 lbs as a left shot centre.
Stats from time at Cornell University
Season | GP | G | A | P |
2023-24 | 35 | 11 | 14 | 25 |
2024-25 | 32 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
2025-26 | 29 | 14 | 18 | 32 |
Scouting reports
The first comes from notable prospect guru (and Associate Editor) Steven Ellis of DailyFaceoff.
We also have Scott Wheeler of the Athletic:
Jonathan Castagna was my No. 12-ranked Mammoth prospect in my upcoming pool rankings. Excellent athlete and skater. Cornell’s leading scorer as a junior this year. Flames pool is deeper though. Not sure where he’ll slot.
How about an even closer source, like GM Craig Conroy via Eric Francis:
Conroy on 20-yr-old Cornell C Jonathan Castagna: "He plays hard, can score, excellent in the faceoff circle. Good size, skates, finishes checks and I think he’s 66% on faceoffs. He’s had a really good year. I just talked to him and everything was positive, so I don’t see any Show more
NHLe Projeections
Final thoughts
I think Castagna projects as a guy who can push for a depth centre job in the NHL. He works hard and uses his size to his advantage. If I had to guess I would think the Flames try and sign him this off-season and get him into games with the Wranglers by the end of this season. Next year he can play a regular role on the AHL team as he works his way up for competition on the roster.
He’s not someone that you are going to plug in right away and find instant success, but he can round out his game with some farm time before being called upon in the big leagues. A player that, three years post draft, is showing signs of potential for some NHL games – not a bad inclusion to go along with the three 2nd rounders and Olli Määttä, in my opinion.
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