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Cullen Potter, Arizona State Sun Devils (Photo credit: Sun Devils Hockey Twitter/X)

Calgary Flames’ Top 10 Under-25 Players

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Rupert McDonald | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 12:05 PM ET

The Calgary Flames have been a middling at best team in recent seasons. They haven’t been in the playoffs since a very exciting 2021-22 campaign, and don’t appear to be getting back in anytime soon. That is partially intentional as of late, as they’ve opted for somewhat of a rebuild approach under general manager (GM) Craig Conroy.

Going through a rebuild is never an easy time for a fan base, though there are some exciting aspects. The biggest, of course, is that the Flames organization is quickly putting together some solid talent in their pipeline. While it never guarantees success, there are plenty of young players in this organization that suggest brighter days are ahead. With that said, here are the top 10 pieces the Flames have that are under the age of 25.

10. Hunter Brzustewicz

The Flames made a great choice in their decision to trade Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. They received a very good package for the Swedish centreman, which included blue line prospect Hunter Brzustewicz.

Brzustewicz is slightly undersized for a defenceman, but is incredibly offensively gifted. The 21-year-old has gotten a brief look on the Flames’ back end as of late, suiting up for 18 games thus far in 2025-26. He may not be ready for regular NHL action just yet, but is knocking on the door for a full-time role next season.

9. Cullen Potter

The second of the Flames’ two first-round picks in 2025, Cullen Potter is looking like a gem right now. The 19-year-old, who is already in his second season of college hockey, has 12 goals and 26 points in 24 games.

Potter still has a ways to go before being an NHLer, but the fact that he’s already in his second collegiate season despite only turning 19 in January is quite impressive. A players development path is rarely linear, but as of now he appears to be on his way to a successful NHL career.

8. Sam Honzek

You can’t help but feel for Sam Honzek. The Flames’ 16th overall selection in the 2023 draft has shown flashes of brilliance, but has had serious issues staying healthy. He appeared in just 18 games with the Flames in 2025-26 before undergoing season-ending surgery in November.

Injuries are nothing new for the 6-foot-4, 186-pound winger. He logged just 57 games in his first season as a pro in 2024-25, and managed only a combined 76 games in the two seasons prior with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Should he be able to remain healthy going forward, he’s shown signs that he has an NHL future. If injuries continue to mount, however, this could wind up being a miss by the Flames.

7. Connor Zary

Another player who has been through the ringer as of late is Connor Zary. The 24-year-old appeared to be a building block for the Flames following his rookie season in 2023-24, only to have his 2024-25 campaign disrupted by two separate knee injuries.

Connor Zary, Calgary Flames (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Whether it be the injuries or perhaps missing so much time, Zary has struggled to provide the impact he did as a rookie. In 54 games this season, he’s recorded a disappointing nine goals and 21 points. It’s far too soon to write him off, but his value has certainly decreased.

6. Ethan Wyttenbach

Perhaps the most intriguing player on this list is Ethan Wyttenbach. The 18-year-old was selected in the fifth round by the Flames in 2025, but is quickly proving that he should have gone far, far higher. He has a legitimate shot at winning the Hobey Baker as a freshman, as he’s managed a ridiculous 22 goals and 54 points in 34 games with Quinnipiac University.

Wyttenbach still needs to round out his overall game, though that isn’t a major concern given how young he is. The fact of the matter is that he has a ridiculously high skill level, and his college stats seem to suggest that he has a very bright future lying ahead.

5. Cole Reschny

Much like Wyttenbach, Cole Reschny is another prospect who has Flames fans very excited. The 18-year-old, Macklin, Saskatchewan native was selected 18th overall in 2025, and could be ready to make an impact at the NHL level sooner than some may think.

Reschny, who put up four goals in seven games for Canada at the 2026 World Juniors, has had an impressive freshman season with the University of North Dakota. His 24 assists lead all North Dakota skaters this season.

4. Matt Coronato

Much like nearly every player on the Flames this season, Matt Coronato has struggled. After bursting on the scene in 2024-25 with 24 goals and 47 points, he’s regressed to a rather disappointing 14 goals and 29 points through 55 games. That said, Flames fans need not worry when it comes to his future.

Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

What’s important to remember with Coronato is that despite having logged 167 games at the NHL level, he’s still just 23 years old. It’s also important to note that he’s playing on a team with few other offensive threats, which hurt his totals. His shot is elite, to the point where it isn’t crazy to picture him being a consistent 30-goal scorer in the years to come.

3. Matvei Gridin

It’s hard to remember the last time the Flames have had a forward prospect as exciting as Matvei Gridin. In fact, the last one may have been Matthew Tkachuk. The 19-year-old winger was considered somewhat of an off-the-board pick when the Flames took him 28th overall in 2024, but he’s quickly proving how right they were with their decision.

Gridin is truly the full package. He has great speed, fantastic hands, terrific vision, and a heavy shot. Despite being just 19 years old, he’s already having plenty of success in his first season as a pro. In 36 games with the Calgary Wranglers, he’s put up 10 goals and 29 points. With the Flames, he has three goals and six points through 13 outings.

2. Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh isn’t just the brightest young skater in the Flames organization, but one of the top in the entire NHL. The recently turned 20-year-old has proven just that in 2025-26, as a recent conditioning stint with the Wranglers saw him record two goals and five points in only four games.

Parekh has struggled to find a role with the Flames this season, but that is rather par for the course when it comes to young defencemen such as himself. His stats throughout his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career suggest that he has true superstar upside, and fans in Calgary should be expecting him to be a true number-one blue liner for this franchise for years to come.

1. Dustin Wolf

Though the 2025-26 season hasn’t gone the way he would have liked, the sky is still the limit for 24-year-old Dustin Wolf. His 2.98 goals against average (GAA) and .896 save percentage (SV%) leave plenty to be desired, though a big part of his disappointing numbers have to do with the team he is playing behind.

Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Wolf proved in his rookie season in 2024-25 just how good he can be, as he wound up finishing second in Calder Trophy voting. That strong season, paired with his massive success through three American Hockey League (AHL) campaigns, suggest that he has the potential to develop into an elite NHL netminder.

More Big Pieces Coming

The exciting thing about this list is that there are plenty of other great young talents the Flames have in their possession. They aren’t done yet, either, as they have a combined four first-round picks over the next two drafts, and could end up with even more depending on what they do by the trade deadline. Regardless of how that plays itself out, the future in Calgary is looking brighter by the day.