The Calgary Flames’ prospects had themselves a season

The Calgary Flames’ farm system showed extreme promise this past season and racked up a heap of awards. In both the CHL and the NCAA, Flames prospects made statements. With the season over and all awards announced, here’s an overview of what the Flames’ prospects accomplished over the last year.

Zayne Parekh

The Flames’ blue-chip defensive prospect was always going to put on a show in Saginaw once again. The ninth overall pick from a year ago became the first OHL defenceman to score 30 goals in back-to-back seasons since Bobby Orr in the 1964–66 seasons. Orr is also the only other defenceman to hit the milestone.

In 61 games, Zayne Parekh also registered 107 points, becoming the first defenceman to score 100 points since Ryan Ellis in the 2010–11 season. With his extraordinary performance, Parekh landed himself a spot on the CHL First All-Star Team. While Parekh missed out on repeating as both OHL and CHL Defenceman of the Year, his progression from last year to now is one Flames fans can get excited about.

Matvei Gridin

At the time, Calgary’s second pick from the 2024 draft didn’t seem to be much. Matvei Gridin was selected after impressing with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. He was selected first overall in the CHL import draft. A couple of months later, he had his rights traded to the Shawnigan Cataractes. He was committed to play NCAA hockey at the University of Michigan before being drafted. That ultimately changed after being offered an NHL deal by the Flames.

Gridin had a very impressive rookie season in the QMJHL. Scoring 79 points through 56 games, he finished 12th in scoring in the QMJHL. He then registered 17 points through 16 playoff games. The production landed him a spot on the CHL All-Rookie Team, and he was also named QMJHL Rookie of the Year.

Jacob Battaglia

Moving on to Jacob Battaglia of the Kingston Frontenacs, who the Flames selected 62nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. At the time, he wasn’t seen to be that important of a pick. However, he improved substantially this past season. In his draft year, Battaglia put up 65 points through 67 games—31 goals, 34 assists. This year, he scored 90 points in 68 games—40 goals, 50 assists.

With an additional 16 points through 11 playoff games, Battaglia was named to the OHL’s Third All-Star Team in late May. If his development stays steady, Battaglia will be an important piece down the road for the Flames.

Trevor Hoskin

The 21-year-old Trevor Hoskin is another player from the Flames’ 2024 draft class. Hoskin previously played for the Cobourg Cougars of the OJHL before heading to the NCAA this season to play for Niagara University. He finished over a point per game, registering 39 points through 32 games. Next season, Hoskin will be playing for Merrimack College.

Hoskin was named the Atlantic Hockey Association’s Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies in points. His play also landed him a spot on the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team, as well as the All-AHA Second Team. With his jump to Merrimack College, Hoskin will have the opportunity to play in the Hockey East conference. He’ll play against schools like Boston College and Boston University. Next season will be a true test for him.

Arsenii Sergeev

While the Flames have their star goalie of the future in Dustin Wolf, they also have a solid goalie prospect developing. Arsenii Sergeev was drafted in the seventh round, 205th overall, in the 2021 NHL Draft. Sergeev played in both the NAHL and the USHL prior to being drafted. He then made the move over to the NCAA, playing for the University of Connecticut.

After two extremely solid seasons posting a .910+ save percentage, Sergeev moved to Penn State for his final NCAA season. There, he posted a .919 save percentage and a 2.54 goals against average. Through 33 games, his final record was 19–9–4, and he had four shutouts added as well.

Sergeev was a finalist for Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. He became the first goalie from Penn State to be a finalist for the honour. Back in February, he was named B1G Hockey First Star of the Week. Lastly, he led the Nittany Lions to the Frozen Four for the first time in the school’s history.

Honourable Mentions

Some players who succeeded alongside their team, however, weren’t recognized individually. Namely, Andrew Basha of the Medicine Hat Tigers and Etienne Morin of the Moncton Wildcats. Basha was injured for an extended period due to an ankle injury. He rejoined the team in time to win the WHL Championship.

Morin was a strong presence on the back end for the Wildcats, producing almost a point per game. Both players made it to the Memorial Cup Championships with their respective teams. The two faced off in a round robin game, where Basha and the Tigers got the best of Morin and the Cats 3–1. Medicine Hat made it all the way to the Final, where the London Knights defeated them 4–1.