The top 10 players of the 2026 prospect pool are complete, and below is a link to those rankings. It was very difficult to leave Jonathan Castagna (70th overall to UTA/ARI in 2023 Draft; acquired in trade this spring) outside of this ranking, as he is a skilled and gritty forward who is highly regarded in the scouting community. In the end, I chose to go with experience at the professional level to complete this list, in particular deciding to include Aydar Suniev (80th overall in 2023) over Castagna. The dilemma of whom to list as a top-10 prospect is no doubt a tribute to the depth of the Flames’ system.
The thing that jumped out at me when preparing this ranking is the presence of CHL players from all three major junior leagues at the top of Calgary’s pool. It starts with #1 prospect Zayne Parekh, formerly of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, and continues with WHL alumni Carson Carels (Prince George) and Cole Reschny (Victoria). Parekh projects to be a full-time NHL’er this season, while both Carels and Reschny will continue their development at the University of North Dakota in the NCAA. Like Parekh, d-men Hunter Brzustewicz (Kitchener) and Henry Mews (Ottawa & Sudbury) also honed their skills in the OHL. Also, representing the QMJHL near the top is projected NHL’er Matvei Gridin, who plied his trade for Shawinigan in 2024-25.
What continues to impress me in going through these teams’ prospects is the enhanced chemistry developed among these players now that CHL players are free to move to NCAA hockey if they so choose. In addition to Reschny and Carels both playing at North Dakota, top prospects Cullen Potter (32nd overall in 2025) and Jack Hextall (30th overall in 2026)will share the ice this season at Michigan State University. Ironically, all four player will be in action on Halloween Night in Austin, TX as the Fighting Hawks and Spartans do battle in the season opener for both teams.