Earlier in the night, the Calgary Flames used the No. 6 overall pick on Carson Carels, and with the team on the clock again at No. 30, many expected the team to take a chance on a high-end forward.
Announced by Flames icon Lanny McDonald, the Flames did just that, using the pick on USHL's centre Jack Hextall, who played with the Youngstown Phantoms over the past two years.
JACK OF ALL TRADES! Welcome to the C of Red 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zJTV8dfFXL
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 27, 2026
The 18-year-old improved out of sight over the two seasons there, and in 59 games during the 2025/26 season, he posted 20 goals and 58 points, showing just what potential he has at the next level. On top of that, he has fantastic size at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and while he's still going to be a few years away from competing, he's set to head to Michigan State next season, and that step up in competition will allow him to show off his skills.
On paper, Hextall is the absolute perfect fit for the Flames, as he's a highly skileld but very responsible player, and with the combination of great size and skill, he'll fit right in to a centre prospect group that includes Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter, both first-round picks a year ago.
Ultimately, this was the spot for the Flames to get a potential middle-six centre of the future, and while it's always unclear how things play out, in terms of potential, Hextall may have been the best player remaining on the board.
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