Calgary Flames Prospect Update: Development remains on track

Another week of mixed results for the Flames organization, as both minor league affiliates went even. Outside of the NHL umbrella, Flames prospects continue to build momentum and prove their scouts right for their selections.

Let’s take a look at the past week inside the C of Red.

Welcome to the TWC Calgary Flames prospect update. Each week, we’ll take a dive into how the Flames prospects have done in their respective leagues, along with a feature on one standout prospect in Calgary’s system. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games and was born in 2001 or earlier.

All data is from QuantHockey and EliteProspects.

Hunter Laing, Forward, Saskatoon Blades, WHL

The Kelowna-born forward was originally acquired by the Flames with their 6th round, 170th overall pick in the 2024 draft. The 2006-born forward has the makings of a classic late bloomer, with an absolute breakout season this year in the WHL.

His game resembles that of a solid two-way forward who is an in-close finisher and clean-up man. His game is highlighted by high-end physicality, compete level, and passing ability.

This makes him an ideal candidate to sustain intense offensive pressure in opponents’ zones, while also being a board play asset in all three zones. His physicality is also defined by a quality 6’06 frame, with good grit, hit effectiveness, and balance.

The WHLer also blends this hard skill with quality soft skills, as Laing displays good puck protection mechanics passing accuracy, and ability.

After a midseason trade last year to Saskatoon from Prince George, Laing has shown substantial growth in hockey sense around instincts, awareness, and play reading.

One area that will be a barrier for Laing as he adjusts to professional hockey in the future is skating, as his mechanics, fundamentals, and speed generation are all significantly below average.

Calgary Flames prospect updates

AHL

• It was a busy past week for the Wranglers as they played four games. The Wranglers collected a win and a loss against both the Ontario Reign and Henderson Silver Knights, going 2–2–0 for the week.
• The Wranglers are 8–6–2, good for 2nd in the AHL’s Pacific Division.
• Rory Kerins and Matvei Gridin are tied for the points lead for the Wranglers with 14.
• Forward Justin Kirkland was assigned to the Wranglers on the 12th, while Rory Kerins got a call-up to the Flames that same day. Sam Morton and Dryden Hunt were all called up to the Flames from the Wranglers on the 16th, while Kerins was then reassigned to the Wranglers.

ECHL

• The Rapid City Rush went 1–1–1 this past week. They played a trio of games against the Indy Fuel on the 12th (5–4OTL), 14th (3–0L), and 15th (2–1W).
• The Flames affiliate has a record of 5–6–2, good for 6th in the ECHL’s Mountain Division.
• Flames goaltending prospect Arsenii Sergeev started the game on the 14th. The former NCAA star stopped 26 of 28 shots for the Rush in their 3–0 loss.

Europe

• Theo Stockselius has yet to appear in the WHL or in Sweden U20. The Swede last played junior hockey on October 8th. This lack of games will be a concern if it isn’t resolved soon enough.

NCAA

• Mace’o Phillips appeared in a pair of USHL games against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this past week. In the first game on the 14th, he posted 15 penalty minutes alone in a 5–4 loss. He then posted an assist in the second game on the 15th.
• Eric Jamieson played in a pair of games against rivals Colorado College on the 14th and 15th. The 2024 6th-rounder continues to be a stable, defensive-minded defender with high-end physicality and senses. He also continues to build momentum as an offensive weapon, finding the net in the game on the 15th.
• Three Flames prospects appeared in a pair of games this week. With Cole Reschny and Cade Littler’s UND playing ASU’s Cullen Porter. Cole Reschny posted a plus-two rating and an assist in the game on the 14th. In their second game on the 15th, Littler mirrored this performance, posting a +2 rating and an assist in 9:55 of TOI. Potter is on a three-game point streak with an assist on the 14th and a goal on the 15th. Potter also logged the lowest TOI in the game on the 15th with 11:37.
• Trevor Hoskins and Merrimack College split a pair of games against Providence College. Hoskins exploded in both games with two assists in their 4–2 loss on the 14th, and two goals in their 3–2 win on the 15th. Talk about playmaking and shooting.
• Wyttenbach only appeared in one game this past week. Quinnipiac defeated Boston University 6–2 on the 15th, and Wyttenbach posted a goal and an assist in 12:29 of TOI. Wyttenbach continues to build momentum and is now on a four-game point streak.

OHL

• Battaglia played games on the 12th against the 67’s, on the 14th against the Icedogs, and on the 16th against the Sting. In the latter two, Battaglia found the back of the net, while also helping Kingston secure back-to-back wins.

WHL

• Saskatoon forward Hunter Laing had a busy three-game schedule this past week, and his team is now on a three-game win streak with victories over Swift Current, Calgary, and Red Deer. Much like his team, Laing is also on a three-game goal streak. The Flames might have found their own version of the Oilers’ Zack Hyman.

Russia

• Netminder, Krill Zarubin appeared in just one game this past week, but posted a 29-save shutout against MHK Atlant Mytishchi on the 16th.

Forwards