American Hockey League
After a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, the Calgary Wranglers are off to a red-hot start in 2026/27, posting a 5-2-0 record through their first seven games, seeing them sit atop the Pacific Division. This past week was another good one, and while the success was driven by the likes of Rory Kerins, Ben Jones and other veterans, the prospects were showing out once again.
Perhaps the biggest story again was Axel Hurtig, who tallied his third goal of the season in just seven games, getting to half of his WHL total from a year ago in 57 less games. Given his size at 6-foot-4, 202 pounds, it's easy to see why his physicality will find him a role at the professional level, but as of right now, his stats are showing that he could be an intriguing force at both ends in the NHL: 7GP, 3G, 0A, 3P, +1.
Axel Hurtig banks a point shot off a Barracuda player and scores 20 seconds into this game pic.twitter.com/xyNwKEPRza
— Paige Siewert (@thathockeygirly) October 17, 2026
Then, there's Hunter Brzustewicz, who was unlucky to miss out on an NHL role early in 2026/27 after settling in down the stretch a year ago, and while the numbers don't pop just yet, he's been getting better and better given more opportunities in the AHL. Through seven games, Brzustewicz now has 1 goal and 5 points on the season, and as he grows defensively, it becomes a matter of when, not if he will make his way back to the NHL.
Beyond that, the following U23 players have been producing in the AHL this season:
Andrew Basha: 7GP, 1G, 1A, 2P, -2
Abram Wiebe: 7GP, 0G, 3A, 3P, -1
Arsenii Sergeev: 4GP, 3.02 GAA, .898 save %, 3-1-0
Kiril Zarubin: 3GP, 3.36 GAA, .886 save %, 2-1-0
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