The Flames will have 10 prospects playing college hockey in 2025-26

Folks, college hockey has always been one of the lifelines of the Calgary Flames. Some really splendid hockey players came to the Flames via the NCAA; among them names like Joe Nieuwendyk, Joe Mullen, Jamie Macoun, Joel Otto and Johnny Gaudreau.

But with the NCAA’s rule change that allows players from Canadian major junior hockey to be eligible to play in college, there’s been an influx of top prospects into the college ranks over the past year. Heck, the Flames will have 10 prospects – roughly a quarter of their prospect base – playing in the NCAA in the 2025-26 season.

So as we amble through our summer months and the fall remains in the distance, for now, let’s take a look at which college teams Flames prospects will be on during the coming season. (We’ve sorted it by conference!)

ECAC Hockey

Quinnipiac University Bobcats – F Ethan Wyttenbach (2025 5th-rounder)

Based in Hamden, Connecticut, Quinnipiac is a really strong program. They’ve appeared each of the past six NCAA national tournaments, winning the crown in 2023.

In addition to Wyttenbach, Quinnipiac boasts just a pair of NHL-drafted players in Boston Bruins prospects D Elliott Groenewold (2024 4th-rounder) and F Christopher Pelosi (2023 3rd-rounder). They haven’t had a powerhouse recruiting class, especially compared to some other programs, but they look to be returning a lot of their heavy hitters from last season, so they should be strong again.

Harvard University Crimson – F Aidan Lane (2025 6th-rounder)

Now, we know some Flames fans have some Ivy League anxiety about Harvard because of Adam Fox. But hey, Harvard also gave the Flames Matt Coronato, and historically they’ve been a really nice proving ground for NHLers. They’ve missed the NCAA national tournament in the past two seasons, but they could be bound for a bounce-back season.

In addition to Lane, Harvard’s NHL drafted prospects include Anaheim D Ryan Healey (2022 4th-rounder), Buffalo D Sean Keohane (2023 6th-rounder), Boston D Mason Langenbrunner (2020 5th-rounder), Anaheim F Michael Callow (2022 5th-rounder), San Jose F Richard Gallant (2025 7th-rounder), Toronto F Joe Miller (2020 6th-rounder) and Philadelphia F Heikki Ruohonen (2024 4th-rounder). They may lack elite NHL prospects, but they have a ton of pretty promising depth.

Big 10

Penn State University Nittany Lions – F Luke Misa (2024 5th-rounder)

You’re probably aware of Penn State for either their run to the Frozen Four this past spring (backstopped by Flames prospect Arsenii Sergeev) or their recent recruitment of presumptive 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna. They’ve been on the upswing in recent years, making the NCAA national tournament in two of the past three seasons.

Aside from Misa (and McKenna), the Nittany Lions also have Ottawa G Kevin Reidler (2022 5th-rounder), Columbus D Jackson Smith (2025 1st-rounder), Florida F Shea Busch (2025 4th-rounder) and Carolina F Charlie Cerrato (2025 2nd-rounder). Even before McKenna signed on, Penn State was looking to be a really fun team. They’re a team to watch this fall.

University of Michigan Wolverines – D Henry Mews (2024 3rd-rounder)

The Wolverines had a bit of a down year by their standards in 2024-25, missing the NCAA national tournament for the first time in five seasons. They’re generally considered one of the top programs in the country, and they’re likely hoping for a bounce-back.

In addition to Mews, in terms of NHL prospects the Wolverines have Nashville G Jack Ivankovic (2025 2nd-rounder), Anaheim D Drew Schlock (2025 4th-rounder), San Jose F Cole McKinney (2025 2nd-rounder), Carolina F Jayden Perron (2023 3rd-rounder) and NY Rangers F Malcolm Spence (2025 2nd-rounder). It’s a younger group, but there’s a lot of potential there.

NCHC

University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks – F Cole Reschny (2025 1st-rounder) & F Cade Littler (2022 7th-rounder)

You’re probably aware of North Dakota as a Flames fan, likely due to 2025 first-rounder Cole Reschny being headed there in the fall. (We’ll forgive you if you don’t recall that Cade Littler goes there, too.) North Dakota has built a reputation as a really strong program, but they’ve been in a bit of a slump lately. They missed the NCAA national tournament last year, and have qualified for just one of the past three.

In addition to Reschny and Littler, the Fighting Hawks have NHL prospects like NY Islanders D Sam Laurila (2025 5th-rounder), Vegas D Abram Wiebe (2022 7th-rounder), Detroit F Dylan James (2022 2nd-rounder), San Jose F David Klee (2023 7th-rounder), Buffalo F Ashton Schultz (2025 6th-rounder) and Boston F Will Zellers (2024 3rd-rounder). North Dakota graduated Sasha Boisvert to the pros in the spring and Owen McLaughlin moved on to Boston University, so we’ll see if North Dakota’s new faces can find their stride quickly.

Arizona State University Sun Devils – F Cullen Potter (2025 1st-rounder)

From the hockey hotbed of Tempe, Arizona, the Sun Devils are the home of Flames first-rounder Cullen Potter and have been one of the more interesting stories in college hockey over the past decade. They’ve made the NCAA national tournament just once, in 2019 as an independent, but could be a surprise this season.

In addition to Potter, their NHL prospects include Minnesota D Justin Kipkie (2025 5th-rounder), Philadelphia F Noah Powell (2024 5th-rounder) and Boston F Cole Spicer (2022 4th-rounder). The Sun Devils have an older group than a lot of teams, but they’re returning a bunch of key players. If they’re going to make a splash, someone – probably Potter – is going to need to have a strong season.

University of Denver Pioneers – D Eric Jamieson (2024 6th-rounder)

The Pioneers have been consistently very good lately. They’ve qualified for the NCAA national tournament in each of the past four years, and made it to the Frozen Four three of the past four years. Heck, they won a national championship in 2024. They’re good. Carter King played there last season, and they keep winning and graduating players to the NHL.

In addition to Jamieson, NHL prospects at Denver include Montreal G Quentin Miller (2023 4th-rounder), Colorado D Tory Pitner (2024 6th-rounder), Seattle F Clarke Caswell (2024 5th-rounder), Los Angeles F Kristian Epperson (2025 3rd-rounder), Colorado F Jake Fisher (2024 4th-rounder) and Los Angeles F Brendan McMorrow (2025 7th-rounder). The Pioneers graduated a bunch of their top players, so we’ll see who steps up to fill the void.

Hockey East

University of Maine Black Bears – F Jaden Lipinski (2023 4th-rounder)

Maine’s been a low-key fun story in the NCAA over the past few years, with back-to-back NCAA national tournament appearances after not being in the big dance for over a decade before that.

In addition to Lipinski, the Black Bears have NHL prospects like Florida D Luke Coughlin (2023 6th-rounder), Nashville F Miguel Marques (2024 3rd-rounder) and Carolina F Justin Poirier (2024 5th-rounder), Jeremie’s brother. Maine’s resurgence hasn’t been star-driven, so we’ll see if they can continue to play a strong team game and keep their hot streak going.

Merrimack College Warriors – F Trevor Hoskin (2024 4th-rounder)

Is Merrimack College a conference powerhouse? Not really. They’re a solid team, but they’ve made just one NCAA national tournament appearance in the last decade (back in 2023).

As of right now, Hoskin is the only NHL-drafted player committed to Merrimack College for the coming season.

Which Flames prospect are you most excited to watch in the NCAA this coming season?