The Calgary Flames’ training camp is about just a month away. After follows the pre-season with an eight-game schedule. Both are opportunities for prospects to compete with roster players and other prospects for spots with the Flames.
With the current state of the team, there’s a higher chance for a player to surprise out of camp compared to prior seasons. Most of these prospects will be cut, and some are already committed to another year outside the NHL. Let’s take a look at where the Flames’ prospects will be playing this season.
Zayne Parekh
The new top prospect for the Flames, Zayne Parekh, was selected ninth overall in this past entry draft. He lit up the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, receiving the reward of the high draft spot. Ineligible for the AHL, it would take an incredibly impressive camp for Parekh to play pro hockey at 18. It’s most likely that Parekh is going back to the OHL to play with the Spirit for the 2024–25 season.
Dustin Wolf
This upcoming season is the one that every Flames fan has been waiting for in regard to Dustin Wolf. A mix of continued dominance and injuries saw Wolf get an extended look with the Flames this past season. In his 17 games, he didn’t post the strongest numbers, but the whole team had dropped in performance at that point. With Jacob Markstrom traded, Wolf has the opportunity to enter the NHL full time. It would be very surprising to see Wolf anywhere but the Flames this season.
Matt Coronato
Many are hoping this season is the season we’ve been waiting for with Matt Coronato. The 2021 13th overall pick exploded during last year’s pre-season, which gave many people high expectations for his rookie season. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as hoped. Coronato struggled in the NHL and was sent to the AHL. There, he dominated and was recalled later in the year. It’s very likely that Coronato will be with the Flames this season, but there is still that small chance he will be with the Calgary Wranglers.
Jakob Pelletier
At this point, I don’t know if I would consider Jakob Pelletier a prospect. I do feel it is the best to include him. Pelletier was ready to play his first full NHL season this last year, but due to a pre-season injury, this did not happen. He came back and started in the AHL before being recalled. He struggled and looked more scared than before. Pelletier should be finally getting his first full NHL year this upcoming season.
Hunter Brzustewicz
Acquired in the Elias Lindholm trade, many were excited for Hunter Brzustewicz. Brustewicz was having one of the best offensive seasons for a defenceman in OHL history with the Kitchener Rangers. Now aging out of junior, he’s ready to take the step into professional hockey. Unless we see a very impressive camp, Brzustewicz will be joining the Wranglers in the AHL this season.
Jeremie Poirier
Another player impacted by injury this past season, Jeremie Poirier, was poised to make his NHL debut sometime in 2023–24. Obviously, that didn’t happen, and Poirier dealt with his arm injury. When he came back, he struggled more than the prior season, which makes sense recovering from a major injury. Poirier is probably starting the year with the Wranglers, but don’t be surprised if he makes the Flames at some point this year.
Samuel Honzek
Continuing the trend of injuries, next comes Samuel Honzek. The 16th overall pick by the Flames in 2023, Honzek was ready to take on a huge role for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL. Dealing with lower body injuries, Honzek didn’t perform as well when he came back. When the Giants’ season was finished, Honzek made his debut with the Wranglers. Honzek is out of the WHL and is now going to be playing professional hockey. This will be with the Wranglers.
Etienne Morin
The Flames second-round pick in 2023, Etienne Morin, had a solid D+1 year. Morin’s production took a drop from his draft year, going from a point per game to under that. His home has been the Moncton Wildcats since 2021–22. Despite debuting with the Wranglers last season, this will continue, and Morin will be with the Wildcats again in the QMJHL.
William Stromgren
William Stromgren had his first full AHL season last year. It didn’t start off that great, but his second half was pretty good. Stromgren went from being scratched and unnoticeable to being all over the ice and one of the Wranglers’ best players. Stromgren is very likely spending the next season with the Wranglers again, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him with the Flames at some point.
Ilya Solovyov
Ilya Solovyov‘s career really took off in the 2022–23 season. Many started to recognize him for his defensive performance with the Wranglers. 2023–24 was another big year for Solovyov. He spent the majority of the year with the Wranglers again, but he made his NHL debut and played 10 games. Look for Solovyov to be a strong contender during training camp and pre-season to make the Flames. If not, he’s back on the Wranglers.
Artem Grushnikov
A prospect acquired by trade again, Artem Grushnikov came over from Dallas in the Chris Tanev trade. His first AHL season wasn’t all that impressive production-wise, and he didn’t necessarily turn heads defensively. His career is still on a steady incline, and this year will be huge for him. Grushnikov is poised for his first year with the Wranglers, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make his NHL debut this season.
Aydar Suniev
A very fun prospect from the 2023 draft, Aydar Suniev dominated the BCHL in his draft year. This gave him the chance to go to the NCAA the following year. The University of Massachusetts was the team that gave him this opportunity. Suniev had a solid year, winning Rookie of the Month a handful of times. Suniev is ready for his second year with UMass, and we hope to see improvement.
Matvei Gridin
The most confusing player to cover on this list. It hasn’t been clear where Matvei Gridin will play this season, but it finally looks like there is an answer. Playing in the USHL, many go the NCAA direction, and Gridin had an agreement with the University of Michigan, so it was expected for him to go there. Then suddenly, Gridin was headed to the QMJHL.
A rumour of poor grades was speculated, but it looks like it may just be because of the entry-level contract. Gridin was drafted first overall in the QMJHL import draft by the Val-d’Or Foreurs. It’s now heavily rumoured Gridin will be traded to the Shawinigan Cataractes at the start of the QMJHL season.
Andrew Basha
Just drafted in the second round by his hometown team, Andrew Basha is looking to have another year of improvement. Basha isn’t going anywhere and is sticking with the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Tigers are gearing up for a Memorial Cup run, and Basha will play a huge role.
Jacob Battaglia
The second second-round pick of the Flames at this past draft, Jacob Battaglia, is staying with his junior team as well. With the Kingston Frontenacs, Battaglia was second on the team in scoring this past year. Looking towards 2024–25, Battaglia will be set to have a similar year.
Henry Mews
Another 2024 draft pick, Henry Mews, joined the Flames organization when they drafted him in the third round. The skilled offensive defenceman is also not leaving his junior team and is looking for another big year with the Ottawa 67’s. Rounding his game out could go a long way for him.
Arsenii Sergeev
The seventh-round pick from 2021, Arsenii Sergeev, has had a steady career so far. He dominated the NAHL in his draft year before heading to the USHL. There, his performance drew the eye of the University of Connecticut. That is where he has spent the last two seasons and put up similar results. Now Sergeev is changing teams once again and is headed to Penn State University in hopes of being the full-time starter.
Rory Kerins
Rory Kerins had a fantastic final OHL season, and many were excited for his first pro year in 2022–23. That didn’t go as planned, as he spent the majority of the year in the ECHL. The 2023–24 season saw him reach the AHL full-time. His production was very solid, and his career has some better projection once again. Kerins is going to be spending his season in the AHL with the Wranglers again.
Yan Kuznetsov
Yan Kuznetsov‘s career didn’t seem like it was heading in the right direction until this season. Kuznetsov played a small role in his first AHL season in 2022–23, but this past season saw him take on a bigger role. His results saw him make his NHL debut last year. Kuznetsov is likely headed back to the Wranglers.
Parker Bell
The Flames’ fifth-round pick in 2022, Parker Bell, has put up some decent numbers with Tri-City Americans so far in his career. Being over a point per game the last two seasons, Bell may have some upside to him. Now aging out of the WHL, Bell looks to make the Wranglers next season, but there is a chance he sees some ECHL time.
Jaden Lipinski
Jaden Lipinski had to fill in a huge role for the Vancouver Giants with Sam Honzek out. Lipinski definitely did that. His production improved to just under a point per game, and he looked solid as the Giants’ number-one centre. Despite having his debut with the Wranglers this past year, Lipinski is very likely spending his 2024–25 season with the Giants in the WHL.
Yegor Yegorov
Spending his entire career so far in his home country of Russia, Yegor Yegorov has climbed up the ranks. In the MHL with MHK Dynamo Moskva, Yegorov has put up solid numbers. His MHL career will continue this season, sticking with MHK Dynamo Moskva.
Kirill Zarubin
Just like the other 2024 draft picks, Kirill Zarubin is sticking with his team for last year. Zarubin had a phenomenal season with AKM Tula in the MHL. He will look to put up similar results while maybe getting some KHL time.
Trevor Hoskin
He is the first 2024 draft pick to be changing his team this season. Trevor Hoskin was the OJHL MVP in 2023–24. This got him attention from the Niagra University in the NCAA. Aging out of the OJHL as well, Hoskin has made the jump to the NCAA.
Luke Misa
Many peoples’ early choice for a steal in the 2024 draft, Luke Misa, is also headed to the same team from 2023–24. The nifty centre is set to return to the Mississauga Steelheads and continue to be the team’s top-line centre.
Axel Hurtig
Axel Hurtig has spent a long time developing in Sweden. His 2023–24 season was spent with Rogle BK, their U20 team, and a loan to Kristianstads IK. The strong and powerful defenceman has decided to make his way to North America for the 2024–25 season. He won’t be far from the Flames either, as he joins the Calgary Hitmen.
Hunter Laing
The biggest pick from the 2024 draft in terms of size for the Flames, Hunter Laing, is following the trend and isn’t switching teams for the 2024–25 season. Laing is looking at another year being spent with the Prince George Cougars.
Eric Jamieson
The final pick by the Flames in the 2024 draft, Eric Jamieson, is going back to the Everett Silvertips. Being selected as an overager, this will be his third full season with the team.
Prospects all over
The Flames have an interesting group of prospects that will be playing all over the world this season. A good amount will be with or close to the team. There is variety when it comes to where these prospects are in their development. Considering where the Flames are, this will be a very fun year to watch prospects.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
