It’s one of the best times of the year if you are a hockey fan, as the World Juniors are back on our TV screens while we have the fireplace on and drink some hot chocolate. For Calgary Flames fans, this tournament is even more special, as two of their top prospects are playing for Team Canada, and there is a chance that fans can watch the Flames’ future 2026 draft pick.
Zayne Parekh and Cole Reschny are making Flames fans proud, while Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are making Flames fans cross their fingers, hoping they get lucky at the Draft Lottery. So Flames fans, which player are you most excited to watch? We asked, you answered.
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Who are you most excited to watch?
We presented the below poll to our readers.
Zayne Parekh
What a debut for Zayne Parekh, as he put up two goals against Czechia. The defenceman is by far the Flames’ top prospect, and he is projected to be an elite top-pairing defenceman for the franchise. After a slow start with the big club and an injury, many were wondering what Parekh would be able to do against players his own age, and boy, did he deliver. He showed his elite skating and release twice and proved that he has the skill to be a successful NHL player for a long time.
Cole Reschny
Cole Reschny was selected 18th overall last year by the Flames, and he has had a strong start in his first year in the NCAA. On this Canadian team, he is in the bottom-six but on the first power play unit. Flames fans are hoping that Reschny can develop into a valuable top-six player in the future. Reschny will not have all of the same opportunities as Parekh to shine at this year’s tournament, but he will still be relied upon in almost every situation.
Gavin McKenna
The projected number one pick at the upcoming NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna, is looking to prove to the hockey world that he is the best player in this draft. He has shown his fantastic playmaking abilities so far, and is starting to look a bit more like the McKenna who dominated the CHL over the past two years. McKenna would be an elite playmaker for the Flames, who seem to be starved for offence over the past couple of seasons.
Ivar Stenberg
Ivar Stenberg has put the hockey world on notice, as he has flirted with a point per game pace all season in the SHL. He is challenging McKenna for the first overall draft spot, and many are starting to wonder which player is going to have the better career. Stenberg was one of the best players on the ice in Sweden’s first game, putting up a goal and an assist. We don’t know who will end up going first overall, but the Flames will certainly be paying attention as it looks like they’ll be in the running for a top pick in the draft.
The future is bright
If there is anything that Flames fans should take from this tournament, it’s that the future of the franchise has the potential to be extremely bright. They have two great prospects in Reschny and Parekh playing, but one of McKenna or Stenberg may also be a part of the organization in the future. At the end of the day, this tournament features some of the players who will be future stars in the NHL, so it’s time to start noticing.
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