Future Flames: Chase Harrington’s Explosive Start to 2026-27

Throughout his three seasons playing with the Chiefs leading up to his draft, Harrington’s offence never stood out as elite or exceptional, which made him slip a bit in the rankings. This isn’t to say he can’t put the puck in the back of the net, as he scored 28 goals last season, just not to the same ability as Ryan Roobroeck, who was selected one pick before him. He made his name through his off-puck work with a relentless engine that led to a non-stop forecheck. 

Through his hard forechecking, Harrington was able to consistently steal the puck in the offensive zone through his ability to easily read the opposing team’s defenders and where their outlet passes were headed. While in the offensive zone, he was consistently getting to the front of the net, wreaking havoc on the defenders and goalies up close. 

Harrington wasn’t the one to drive the offence the past few seasons, mainly because he was spending a lot of time with Seattle Kraken forward Berkly Catton, who amassed 109 points in the 2024-25 season. This can explain a little bit as to why Harrington may not have taken as big a step offensively last season as expected, where he led the team in points with 57 in 61 games, a significant drop for the team’s leading scorer. The Chiefs also regressed, recording just 73 points, a 19-point drop from the previous season. 

There are no real standout flaws to his overall game. He can skate well, produce offensively with and without star players, and is a hard forechecker who also knows his way around the defensive zone. Harrington also stands up for his team, as seen in his 105 penalty minutes last season, a 64-minute increase from 2024-25, with some coming from fighting majors. After three solid seasons with the Chiefs, he was ranked as a second- to third-round pick going to the Flames at 36th overall.

Blossoming Well as Captain

Following the Chiefs’ regression in 2025-26, they have picked back up the pace and gotten off to a strong start in 2026-27, largely due to Harrington’s major steps he’s taken so far this season. In the season opener, the Chiefs won 3–2 vs. the Tri-City Americans. Harrington had quite the night, recording a Gordie Howe hat trick with one goal, two assists, and a fight. He followed up in game two vs. the Portland Winterhawks with another two points and another fight. 

Harrington started the season on a five-game point streak, finally going pointless against the Everett Silvertips, but the following game against the Silvertips, he exploded for three goals and five points in a 7-1 victory. His growth this season has been spectacular to watch and is on pace to blow past his previous career high in points, while also maintaining the constant puck-hunting playstyle that makes him extremely annoying to play against. 

It’s safe to say that, so far, being named captain was nothing Harrington couldn’t handle, and he has the characteristics to be a leader at any level. While being a second-round selection that got overlooked for his lack of offensive flair, his continued growth in this area, on top of his off-puck work, which got him rated highly, is shaping up to be another great prospect in a very deep pool of players for general manager Craig Conroy and the Flames to work with.