logo
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
When could the cavalry be coming for the Wranglers?
alt
Photo credit: OHL Images
Ryan Pike
Feb 26, 2025, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 26, 2025, 00:30 EST
Comments
The Calgary Wranglers got off to a heck of a start. Through a combination of strong goaltending from Devin Cooley and timely goals from any number of players. the Wranglers were the American Hockey League’s top team well into this season.
Well, as we noted last week, they’ve gone a bit cold lately. They’re not getting the saves or goals they were earlier in the season, and they’re sliding down the standings somewhat. They’re still very likely to be a playoff team, but they lack the swagger they had earlier in the season, as several important players are in the NHL now. (Heck, a couple prominent Wranglers, Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier, are on different NHL clubs now.)
So when could some Flames prospects potentially join the Wranglers to give them a boost? And which prospects could be serving as the cavalry for them?
  • In the QMJHL, they operate under a league-wide 1-to-16 seeding for the playoffs: Etienne Morin’s Moncton Wildcats are the top team in the league, while Matvei Gridin’s Shawinigan Cataractes are sixth. Moncton should be in the playoffs for awhile, but Shawinigan is part of a bunch of teams that aren’t separated by very much so they could be upset early. Morin and Gridin are both under NHL deals already so they could be re-assigned to the Wranglers.
  • In the OHL, they operate in the conference model with eight teams per side. In the East, Kingston (Jacob Battaglia) is fourth, Brampton (Luke Misa) is fifth (well behind Kingston in points), and Sudbury (Henry Mews) is seventh. Based on current seeding, it seems probably that Misa and Mews could be out early. Out West, Saginaw (Zayne Parekh) is fourth, but they’re only slightly ahead of the fifth-place team so they’re not necessarily a heavy favourite. [An X-factor here: there’s a constant rumour that Mews is destined for the NCAA next season, and it seems possible that he might not go to the AHL, even on a try-out, in order to maintain his college eligibility.]
  • In the WHL, they operate in conference seeding like the OHL. In the East, Medicine Hat (Andrew Basha) is first, Calgary (Axel Hurtig) is third, and Saskatoon (Hunter Laing) is seventh. In the West, Everett (Eric Jamieson) is first and Vancouver (Jaden Lipinski) is seventh. It seems likely that Laing and Lipinski get knocked out early. Basha likely wouldn’t be healthy until well into the WHL post-season. [As with Mews, it seems likely that college-bound Jamieson wouldn’t join the Wranglers to maintain his college eligibility]
The junior playoffs start in late March, so anybody eliminated in the first round likely wouldn’t be available to the Wranglers until early April. For potential college signings, that likely wouldn’t become an option until late March as NCAA teams become eliminated from national championship consideration.
All-in-all, it seems like the Wranglers will need to keep muddling along with the players they have for another month or so at least.
Onto the updates!

Jonathan Aspirot – D/LW, 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
44
4
17
21
10
12
5
49
19.02
2023-24 (AHL)
66
6
27
33
19
12
9
94
19.93
Aspirot had no points 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
23
9
20
29
24
12
9
73
31.22
2023-24 (WHL)
63
30
55
85
69
52
41
189
33.41
Basha remains out indefinitely with a lower-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
57
33
44
77
57
47
37
195
35.78
2023-24 (OHL)
67
31
34
65
54
39
34
168
25.70
Battaglia had four points over three games this week.

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
42
4
5
9
6
8
6
35
8.54
2023-24 (WHL)
59
33
31
64
50
35
31
231
26.86
Bell received an assist via a stat correction from last 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
28
2
10
12
3
11
3
18
11.70
2023-24 (NCAA)
30
0
2
2
2
2
2
36
1.82
Boltmann had two points this week and was named Hockey East’s Defender of the Week.

Hunter Brzustewicz – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL

20; 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
50
4
16
20
12
13
10
51
15.94
2023-24 (OHL)
67
13
79
92
46
65
34
140
36.37
Brzustewicz had a goal this week, and received a stat correction assist from last week.

Lucas Ciona – LW, Calgary Wranglers, AHL

22; 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
47
6
10
16
14
12
11
59
13.57
2023-24 (AHL)
55
4
2
6
5
6
5
67
4.35
Ciona had no points this week.

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
49
29
37
66
48
36
28
206
31.37
2023-24 (USHL)
60
38
45
83
67
49
42
208
31.76
Gridin missed both of Shawinigan’s weekend games. He was listed on the game sheet as out with “injury or illness,” but we don’t have much more information.

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
43
1
4
5
3
4
3
31
4.63
2023-24 (AHL)
63
1
5
6
5
6
5
65
3.80
Grushnikov had no points this week.

Sam Honzek – LW/C, 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
40
7
11
18
14
10
8
55
17.93
2023-24 (WHL)
33
10
21
31
22
16
11
86
23.26
Honzek had no points 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
33
12
25
37
28
27
23
71
17.84
2023-24 (OJHL)
52
42
58
100
85
60
50
189
5.36
Hoskin had a goal 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
44
4
9
13
9
11
7
54
7.32
2023-24 (J20)
27
3
8
11
7
11
7
54
15.10
Hurtig is out with an injury.

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
57
12
20
32
22
24
16
151
13.90
2023-24 (WHL)
66
10
22
32
21
27
18
174
12.01
Jamieson had an assist this week.

Joni Jurmo – D, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / 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
AHL season to date
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0.00
ECHL season to date
12
2
8
10
7
6
4
17
19.13
2023-24 (Liiga)
46
1
4
5
3
4
3
63
4.03
Jurmo played one game this week and had zero points for the Wranglers.

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
42
22
18
40
34
28
25
96
37.95
2023-24 (AHL)
54
16
16
32
27
22
18
115
23.62
Kerins had an assist 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
31
13
12
25
20
15
13
93
32.14
2023-24 (AHL)
65
21
24
45
34
31
22
182
27.59
Klapka is in the NHL.

Demetrios Koumontzis – LW/D, Idaho Steelheads, ECHL

24; Calgary’s fourth round pick (108th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft; 5’10”, 183 pounds; shoots left
GP
G
A
P
P1
5v5
P
5v5
P1
SH
NHLe
Season to date
21
3
3
6
3
4
3
36
6.56
2023-24 (ECHL)
47
9
10
19
11
14
10
84
9.28
Koumontzis had no points this week.

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
51
3
11
14
8
12
7
65
10.94
2023-24 (AHL)
63
5
8
13
9
12
8
88
8.22
Kuznetsov had no points this week.

Hunter Laing – C/RW, Prince George Cougars/Saskatoon Blades, 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
54
18
16
34
29
27
24
122
15.59
2023-24 (WHL)
66
11
14
25
18
20
14
101
9.38
Laing had a two-goal game this week.

Jaden Lipinski – C, Calgary Wranglers, AHL / Vancouver Giants, WHL

20; 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
48
12
35
47
38
27
24
111
24.25
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 had five points in three games this week.

Cade Littler – C/RW/LW, 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
28
4
2
6
5
6
5
24
7.71
2023-24 (BCHL)
24
9
12
21
17
9
6
–
5.51
Littler scored a goal this week.

Henry Mews – D, Ottawa 67’s/Sudbury Wolves, 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
56
14
59
73
48
36
25
194
34.53
2023-24 (OHL)
65
15
46
61
38
35
24
153
24.86
Mews had a goal this week.

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
56
33
44
77
54
57
41
170
36.42
2023-24 (OHL)
66
26
55
81
56
58
39
210
32.51
Misa had four points over three games 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
52
12
35
47
25
32
20
190
21.05
2023-24 (QMJHL)
58
12
37
49
32
21
13
191
19.67
Morin had three points in two games 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
50
13
19
32
24
15
11
99
25.51
2023-24 (NCAA)
37
24
10
34
32
20
19
151
24.00
Morton had no points this week.

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
52
28
58
86
58
42
33
209
43.80
2023-24 (OHL)
66
33
63
96
66
54
39
224
38.53
Parekh had six points this week.

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
50
4
22
26
15
16
9
100
20.72
2023-24 (AHL)
23
3
10
13
5
5
2
44
22.53
Poirier had no 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
43
6
15
21
10
16
8
59
19.46
2023-24 (AHL)
51
5
10
15
10
14
10
88
11.72
Solovyov is in the NHL.

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
49
12
26
38
28
22
18
81
30.91
2023-24 (AHL)
68
7
20
27
23
18
15
74
15.82
Strömgren had no points 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
27
16
14
30
25
16
13
99
35.81
2023-24 (NCAA)
35
12
13
25
19
16
12
100
23.02
Suniev had three points in two games this week.

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
9
281
.877
2023-24 (VHL)
5
271
.908
Chechelev started a game and was pulled, and then started another game and had a shutout win.

Waltteri Ignatjew – G, Calgary Wranglers, AHL

25; Signed as a free agent; 6’3″, 200 pounds
GP
TOI
SV%
Season to date
17
931
.886
2023-24 (SWE-1)
45
2614
.918
Ignatjew started once for the Wranglers – his first appearance in a game since Jan. 25 – and allowed one goal in a shootout loss.

Arsenii Sergeev – G, Penn State University Nittany Lions, NCAA/Big 10

22; Calgary’s seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft; 6’3″, 192 pounds
GP
TOI
SV%
Season to date
25
1464
.920
2023-24 (NCAA)
16
934
.913
Sergeev continues to shine lately, starting twice against the NCAA’s top team (Michigan State) and back-stopping them to a tie and a win.

Yegor Yegorov – G, HC Tambov, VHL / MHC Tambov, NMHL / MHK Krylia Sovetov Moskva, MHL

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
MHL season to date
17
934
.911
2023-24 (MHL)
25
1319
.917
Yegorov started four games this week, going 2-1-1 for the Soviet Wings.

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
16
856
.933
2023-24 (MHL)
45
2473
.927
AKM Tula was off this week.

This article is brought to you by Crystal Waters

Crystal Waters is your Crystal Clear Choice for Home Comfort Solutions, including all plumbing, heating, and cooling equipment repairs, maintenance, and installation. Founded in 2001, and completing over 30,000 projects, our qualified professionals are the guardians of your home’s mechanical heart.
Call Crystal Waters Plumbing and Heating today at 403-219-4100 for a complete mechanical system audit, and learn how we can partner with you to ensure your home is optimized for safety, health, and comfort. Or check them out at www.crystalclearcalgary.com

Editorials

Breaking News