With the 6th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames have selected defenceman Carson Carels.
Who is Carson Carels?
Carels is a 6’2 left-handed defenceman from the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. Carels isn’t afraid to throw his body around and break up the play. The 18-year-old brings a two way game and strong skating to the table. He has spent the last three seasons with the Prince George Cougars.
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 2024-25 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 6 | 29 | 35 | |
| 2025-26 | Prince George Cougars | LEAGUE | 58 | 20 | 53 | 73 |
For a deeper dive, here’s The Win Column’s draft profile for Carson Carels.
Analyzing the pick
Like it or not, the Calgary Flames are rebuilding. They have torn it down as close to the studs as they are willing to go. Carels will be a key piece in this group. His strong skating, along with his physicality and ability to break up plays, will provide more support for Zayne Parekh, Simon Nemec, and Kevin Bahl on the Flames’ backend. Dustin Wolf will surely appreciate the additional protection.
What’s next for Carson Carels?
Carels is committed to the University of North Dakota, where he will play alongside fellow Flames prospect Cole Reschney. Realistically, you’re looking at at least two years before you see the defenceman at the NHL level. His main priorities should be putting on weight to fill out his frame and adjusting his play to that extra weight.
