With the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames have selected forward Jack Hextall.
Who is Hextall?
Jack Hextall, the distant cousin of NHL legend Ron Hextall, is a product of Rolling Meadows, Illinois and a 6’1″ centre. A strong player, he has had strong production in the USHL, showcasing his talent. Through his two years in the USHL, he has seen lots of improvement in every aspect of his game. He is a very solid player in the offensive zone and not too shabby in his own end.
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
| 2023-24 | Chicago Mission 15U AAA | 15U AAA | 64 | 29 | 59 | 88 |
| 2024-25 | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | 53 | 8 | 26 | 34 |
| 2025-26 | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | 59 | 20 | 38 | 58 |
For a deeper dive, here’s The Win Column’s draft profile for Preston.
Analyzing the pick
After taking Carson Carels 6th overall, it was obvious that Calgary would target a forward with their next pick. They haven’t just suffered from scoring woes, but also from real NHL talent down the middle. Hextall comes in and helps both of those aspects. He’s tall and strong, relentless, and one of the hardest-working players. Something which Calgary has prided itself on in recent years.
What’s next for Hextall?
Hextall is committed to play for Michigan State University in the 2026–27 season, joining fellow first-round selection Chase Reid. He is still a few years away from heading to the NHL, as he still needs to work on his game. Possibly around three years. After the NCAA, he will almost certainly spend some sort of time in the AHL as well.
