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Recapping the Calgary Flames’ 2025 draft class

Originally posted on The Win Column | By Gurpal Singh | Last updated Jun 29, 2025 1:33 PM ET

Just like that, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft has come to an end. The Calgary Flames have yet again walked away as winners, as that’s now the second straight year of strong drafting by the team. As a result, the future now looks even brighter for the Flames. Here’s a recap of all the players selected!

Cole Reschny (C)

Selecting 18th overall via the New Jersey Devils, there was only one obvious choice by the time it was the Flames’ turn to pick, and they delivered. Cole Reschny had 92 points in 62 games with the Victoria Royals this season, and he’s a natural centre. Reschny’s selection is huge for a team that is in desperate need of talented centre prospects, and Reschny fits that mold.

While he may be on the smaller side being 5’11”, Reschny’s talent is undeniable. His offensive instincts and 200-foot game give him all the tools to be an elite NHLer. It’s no wonder Flames fans are excited for this player, as the team adds a notable centre prospect with high upside. The Flames managed to draft him around where he was projected to go.

Cullen Potter (C/LW)

A potential steal in the draft, Cullen Potter being drafted at 32nd overall has everyone talking. The Flames got this pick via the Florida Panthers, officially completing the Matthew Tkachuk trade. Potter has played both on the wing and as a centre. However, the Flames have indicated they plan to develop him as a centre.

Potter’s biggest attribute is his skating. This kid is fast, creative and electric. He skates like the wind, and it’s clear he has the skill to compensate for his size, standing at 5’10”. Potter entered the NCAA as a 17-year-old, committing to Arizona State University.

This was the gamble the Flames were more than willing to take. For Calgary’s scouting staff, Potter’s skills and potential were too good to ignore. The Flames had a heck of a first round, coming out as clear winners after day one.

Theo Stockselius (C/LW)

With the 54th overall pick, Theo Stockseluis fits the Calgary Flames’ mold of big and skilled. He had 51 points in 40 games in the Swedish Jr League this season, and has played both on the wing and as a centre.

Standing at 6’2” and 181 lbs, Stockselius combines both skill and talent. The Flames add another centreman to their prospect pool, who has been through a lot these last few years. The Flames revealed that Stockselius battled cancer a couple of years ago, and now he’s an NHL draft pick. What a warrior.

Button: "He had thyroid cancer a couple years ago. He beat it…skilled, smart, he's got reach. He needs physical development…we think he was physically hampered, obviously, going through the cancer treatments. We think [the development] is going to come."#Flames
— Salim Nadim Valji (@salimvalji) June 28, 2025

Mace’o Phillips (D)

The Flames add defensive depth on the left side, drafting Mace’o Phillips 80th overall. Hailing from the U.S National Development Program, Phillips finished the year with six points in 60 games, establishing himself as a pure defensive-defenceman.

Phillips is known as a hard hitter who prioritizes physicality. The Flames needed defensive depth on the left side, and Phillips is a welcome addition to the bunch. He’d be a good contrast to the offensive defenceman the Flames currently have in their system.

Ethan Wyttenbach (LW/RW)

Drafted 144th overall, Ethan Wyttenbach could very well turn into another steal for the Flames. A feel-good story is that he was the first ever recipient of the Gaudreau Award. This award is given to the USHL player who best represents and embodies the legacy of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. He scored 51 points in 44 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede this season.

Wyttenbach is only 5’9”, but his skills in puck-movement and goalscoring are impressive. Assuming he follows a proper development path, he could turn into something special for the Flames.

In April, Flames fifth-round pick Ethan Wyttenbach, 5-foot-10 LW from Sioux Falls, was named the first recipient of The Gaudreau Award, a yearly honour going to the USHL player who best embodies the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Guy and Jane Gaudreau presented the award. pic.twitter.com/RwObQGoysY
— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) June 28, 2025

Aidan Lane (RW)

The Flames selected winger Aidan Lane 176th overall. He only played 13 games for the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads, but he was a point-per-game player, notching seven goals. Lane also played games with St. Andrew’s College and the Green Bay Gamblers.

This is a player who may take longer to develop, but the skill is there with his intelligence and hustle. He has committed himself to Harvard next season to play in the NCAA.

Jakob Leander (D)

Not much is known about this Swedish defenceman. Jakob Leander is a product of Sweden and scored six points in 39 games this season in the J20 Nationell league. He’s a big, right-shot defender standing at 6’4” and 196 lbs. Being drafted 208th overall, the road towards pro hockey is long for Leander, but maybe something is there.

Yan Matveiko (LW/C)

The final pick for the Flames in the 2025 NHL Draft. Calgary traded for the 211th pick and elected to draft the Russian forward. Matveiko had 24 points in 42 games in the MHL this season. He’ll be another addition to the Flames’ forward prospect pool; however, the road towards pro hockey will also be quite long for him.

Flames prioritized skill once again

It’s been another strong draft for the Flames and hopefully a sign of good things to come. The team drafted pure skill for the majority of their picks, taking those risks that good teams take in the draft. Despite size critiques for some players, their upside and potential to become NHL regulars was too good to pass up on. Craig Conroy and his scouting staff should feel happy about tonight as it proves that the Flames can now indeed draft efficiently, doing so in two straight drafts.

This article first appeared on The Win Column and was syndicated with permission.

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