Welcome back to The Win Column Calgary Flames Prospect Rankings. Coming in at #2 this year is Dustin Wolf. After being voted #1 in both TWC’s 2022 and 2023 prospect rankings, Wolf hands over his title in what looks like his final season eligible for the list. With Jacob Markstrom off to New Jersey, the opportunity for Wolf to crack the NHL roster out of camp has never been higher.
Last season, Wolf split time with the Flames and Calgary Wranglers, starting in 17 NHL games and 36 AHL games. The young goaltender posted a 3.16 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in his first NHL season. With some ups and downs in his play last year, Wolf has been vocal this offseason about improving his play and competing for the starting job in camp. The former seventh-round pick has done everything he can in the AHL, and 2023–24 is, without a doubt, his first real opportunity to live up to his lofty expectations.
Wolf’s development so far
Wolf was drastically overlooked in his draft class, being selected 214th overall by the Flames in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Listed at 6-foot-0—apparently growing an inch since last year—the California product’s skill and incredible athleticism were often overlooked due to his size. Wolf’s underwhelming scouting report seemingly fell victim to an era of goalies resembling Roald Dahl’s Big Friendly Giant.
Wolf’s junior career began in the 2017–18 season with the Everett Silvertips. Wolf took over the starting role his draft season in 2018–19, earning himself the best SV% and GAA in the WHL while also taking home the CHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year award.
After being drafted, Wolf returned to Everett and continued developing, showcasing his incredibly high ceiling with stellar play. Wolf again had the WHL’s best SV% and GAA with a .935 and 1.88, respectively, and earned both WHL and CHL Goalie of the Year awards. On top of that, he also took home USA Junior Hockey’s Goaltender of the Year award.
The 2020–21 season saw Wolf play his first pro hockey with the Flames’ AHL affiliate, back then the Stockton Heat. With a pandemic-shortened season in every league, Wolf played in three AHL games, posting a .895 SV% and a 3.28 GAA. Also playing in 22 WHL games, Wolf earned another WHL goaltender of the year in 2020–21.
Moving to Cali full-time in 2021–22, Wolf started his rampage across the AHL. In his first season as the starter for the Heat, he won a league-leading 33 games, taking home the AHL goaltender of the year award.
With an already heavy trophy cabinet, Wolf relocated with the AHL team to Calgary without skipping a beat. His 2022–23 performance was one of the best AHL goaltending seasons on record. He posted an AHL-leading seven shutouts and 42 wins, leading second place by 15. An astounding .932 SV% and a 2.09 GAA capped off his season, earning him back-to-back goaltender of the year awards and the AHL’s MVP award.
Wolf became just the eighth goalie to take home the award and the first since current Flames goalie coach Jason LaBarbera won the award in 2004. Wolf finished off the season making his NHL debut against his favourite childhood team, the San Jose Sharks.
With absolutely nothing left to prove at the AHL level, Wolf looked destined for the NHL entering last season. In his 17 games last season, Wolf showed growing pains for the first time in his career. Despite his shaky start, the young goalie had some good games and showcased improvement throughout the season.
Wolf’s strengths and weaknesses
He’s an athlete first and a goalie second. The 23-year-old’s pre-game routine is enough to prove it.
Wolf’s biggest weakness is no secret: he isn’t exactly a surface area specialist like 6’5” Jake Oettinger or 6’4” Connor Hellebuyck. Despite needing great angles and technique to compensate, being smaller does come with an advantage. Wolf is incredibly quick and covers post-to-post really well for his size. This two-on-one stop from last season’s AHL playoffs is a perfect example.
On top of that, his flexibility and sheer willpower to stop pucks are reminiscent of a past Flames goaltender whose number 34 now hangs in the rafters of the Saddledome. Here’s an example from a lengthy shootout win against Winnipeg last year. Amazing scorpion save; even better celebration.
One of Wolf’s most valuable assets is his intangibles. He’s got a great work ethic, demeanour, focus, and attitude. He’s proven the doubters wrong at every step of his career, and it doesn’t sound like he has any plans to slow down. Here’s what Wolf had to say after signing a two-year extension earlier this month.
The quote to take from that, “I’d like to say I’m just getting started here in the organization”. Speaking for all Flames fans, we’re hoping you are too, Dustin.
Wolf’s next steps
The main area Wolf wavered in his first NHL season was something he’s routinely delivered: consistent play. He had some show-stopping outings and others you’d like back. Wolf mentioned in the media last season how the traffic in front of the net was different in the NHL, as it’s always there. Definitely an adjustment, especially for a smaller goalie.
However, one of Wolf’s best attributes is his compete level and willingness to improve. His development path has been consistently positive throughout his entire career. It may not be a Vezina season for Wolf or even a starting role. Wolf has shown flashes of brilliance at the NHL level, and at the very least, he needs to be in the NHL all season to get that experience. He’s squeezed every last drop of development he can from the AHL, and now it’s time to bring that consistency up, playing in the best league on earth.
Quite frankly, this season should be an easier road to the crease but a tougher road to wins with a depleted team in front of him. He may not have amazing numbers this year, but I strongly believe Wolf will contend for the starting job at training camp and drastically improve his NHL resume this season.
There’s nothing left to do but do it.
Calgary Flames 2024 Top 15 Prospects
Honourable Mentions | #15 William Stromgren | #14 Jacob Battaglia | #13 Aydar Suniev | #12 Luke Misa | #11 Etienne Morin | #10 Henry Mews | #9 Samuel Honzek | #8 Matvei Gridin | #7 Jakob Pelletier | #6 Andrew Basha | #5 Jeremie Poirier | #4 Hunter Brzustewicz | #3 Matt Coronato | #2 Dustin Wolf | #1 Zayne Parekh
