2026 Calgary Flames Prospect Rankings: #8 Jack Hextall

Hextall had a pretty good year in the USHL last season, as he finished with nearly a point per game and was in the top five in scoring with the Youngstown Phantoms. He is known for his strong hockey IQ and all-around game. He was also named to the All-USHL third team and won gold medals with Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Hextall was selected in the 2026 NHL draft at 30th overall. While he might not be the flashiest prospect, he consistently finds a way to contribute at both ends of the ice.

Hextall’s development so far

Hextall has had respectable production for quite some time now. He made his USHL debut in 2024–25 at 16 years old, and despite being one of the younger players in the league, he was able to put up solid numbers for his first season, coming in seventh in team scoring. The following year, he settled in nicely, reaching 20 goals and being one point away from a point-per-game production, cracking the top five in team scoring. Hextall is heading to Michigan next year to play in the NCAA. This will be a great opportunity for him to face tougher and more skilled competition and should boost his development.

Hextall’s Strengths

Playmaking and Scoring

Hextall is no stranger to the scoresheet. He uses his high motor and competitiveness to set up plays for his teammates and drive the net. He will battle for positioning around the net and look to capitalize on any loose pucks that may come his way. Scoring in the dirty areas is a strength in his game, and his ability to create plays at full speed creates dangerous chances. Hextall is a weapon on the power play as well, as he recorded 31 points on the man advantage last season. He understands how to use the open ice around him to his advantage, whether it is moving into a scoring position or operating along the wall to find a better opening.

Hockey IQ

When people think of good scorers in hockey, they may think of a flashy player who makes regular appearances on the highlight reel. While Hextall may have his moments, he uses less flash in his game and uses his hockey IQ to always be in the right spots to produce.

He doesn’t need to force plays; he creates them from understanding the game at a level higher than most. Hextall uses his hockey sense to find openings and enter the offensive zone at a high speed with ease, limiting the need for a dump-and-chase approach to the game. This may be his most valuable attribute, as even if there are games where he isn’t scoring, he will still be a positive factor on the ice with his positioning and ability to adapt to different situations.

Hextall’s areas of improvement

Physicality

As is the case with most prospects, Hextall does not have an NHL-ready body. He forechecks hard and engages in puck battles, but he will need to get stronger during his time in the NCAA before he will be able to play that game in the NHL. College hockey will be a great environment for him to increase his size as he faces stronger opponents.

Hextall will be able to use his strong hockey sense to help him in these puck battles; however, that’s not something that will help him as much as increased strength will. In the future, increasing his strength may just decide whether he will be a top-six centre or a bottom/middle-six centre.

Hextall’s next steps

Up next for Hextall is joining Cullen Potter and moving on to a strong hockey program at Michigan State University. It’s expected that he will be in the top-six and will be relied upon on the power play. Michigan State is projected to be a very good team with Hextall joining the likes of Cayden Lindstrom, Ryker Lee, Chase Reid, Cullen Potter, and Ethan Belchetz.

NHL projection

Ceiling: Second line two-way centre

Likely Outcome: Third line centre who can occasionally play in the top-six

Floor: Fourth line centre

NHL timeline projection

Jack Hextall will likely make his NHL debut in the 2028–29 season.

See our other articles on our list of prospect rankings for 2026:

• #9: Samuel Honzek
• #10: Tobias Trejbal
• #11: Andrew Basha
• #12: Aydar Suniev
• #13: Henry Mews
• #14: Theo Stockselius 
• #15: Mace’o Phillips 
• Honourable Mentions