Calgary Flames Prospects to watch at the 2026 WJC

2) Cole Reschny, Team Canada

Forward Cole Reschny was drafted eighteenth overall by the Flames in the 2025 NHL Draft. He was an obvious choice for the franchise as they significantly lacked prospects at centre. Reschny is a solid two-way forward with great playmaking skills. One could expect that he has a solid chance at making Team Canada for this year’s WJC, as he is having a fantastic year with North Dakota. Through twelve games, the eighteen-year-old has eleven points, nine of those being assists. Reschny has represented Canada in the past. Most notably at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, when he helped Canada capture gold in Edmonton.

3) Cullen Potter, Team USA

Another NCAA prospect who could be playing in the 2026 WJC is Cullen Potter. He is currently in his second season with Arizona State University, where he has posted nine points in thirteen games. Potter was also drafted in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, as the Flames selected him with their thirty-second overall pick to close out the first round. Potter is known for his fast skating and puck-handling skills. This has been on full display for Team USA in the past, especially at the previous U18 WJC.

Missing in action

Unfortunately, there will be a few Flames prospects that fans will not be able to watch during the tournament. It was recently reported that Swedish forward Theo Stockselius will miss the WJC due to a recent injury. Stockselius was a second-round pick in last year’s draft and was likely going to be a key piece on Team Sweden. Fortunately, Stockselius will still be eligible to play in the WJC next year in Edmonton and Red Deer.

Another player who will miss an opportunity to play due to injury is defenceman Henry Mews. It is unclear whether or not he would have made the team, but nonetheless, his chances are over now. Mews is out for the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury. He was on the bad side of a knee-on-knee collision that took away his opportunity to play in the WJC. Mews had a great start to the year with the University of Michigan posting nine assists in ten games.

The most significant missing piece for Flames fans will be Matvei Gridin. With Russia still being banned from International hockey competition, Gridin will be another prospect to miss his chance to play in the tournament. Gridin is having a phenomenal season so far. He scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game and has fifteen points in fifteen AHL games. Going forward, he is one of the Flames’ top young players to watch.

Future Flames to watch?

Seeing as the Flames are sitting in last place in the entire NHL, this tournament may be an early indicator to watch some future Flames. Let’s take a look at some top prospects of the 2026 draft class that could play in this tournament.

1) Gavin McKenna

Obviously, the clear player to watch in this tournament will be forward Gavin McKenna. The current 17-year-old is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. If the Flames continue playing the way they have early on, they could be the favourite team to land McKenna. The forward has had an exceptional season in the NCAA with Penn State University, posting sixteen points in fifteen games. McKenna is basically a lock for Team Canada, as he was already on the team last year.

2) Keaton Verhoeff

Another potential future Flame to watch could be defenceman Keaton Verhoeff. The young defenceman is currently having a solid campaign with the University of North Dakota. He has posted eight points in twelve games and plays key minutes night in and night out. Like McKenna, Verhoeff is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming draft. Verhoeff’s recent performance at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup was an early indicator of how dominant he can be.

3) Ivar Stenberg

Forward Ivar Stenberg is an upcoming Swedish star. The eighteen-year-old currently has twenty points in twenty-one games with Frolunda HC in the SHL. Stenberg is the projected third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft behind McKenna and Verhoeff. Stenberg is a six-foot-tall playmaker who can really produce offence. He will likely make Team Sweden and be a top player to watch on the roster for the upcoming tournament. Like Verhoeff, Stenberg has shone on the International stage at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He posted ten points in five games at the 2024 tournament.

Be sure to tune into the 2026 WJC as it begins on Boxing Day live from Minnesota.