Looking at the Top 10 Flames Prospects
As the Flames' season has come to an end, let's take a closer look at the top 10 prospects currently in the Flames system. Some of these players have already had some NHL experience, while at least half of them have played regularly in the AHL. A few of the remaining prospects have recently joined the Calgary Wranglers, just in time for the playoffs, after finishing their respective seasons with their other clubs.
10. Aydar Suniev, LW , UMass
Age: 19 (2004)
Drafted: 2023, 3rd round, 80th overall
Aydar Suniev is a crafty playmaker who just played in his first NCAA season with the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Russian forward picked up 12 goals, and 13 assists for 25 points in 36 games this season. Suniev was drafted in the third round in 2023 after putting up 90 points (45 goals and 45 assists) with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.
9. Etienne Morin, D, Moncton Wildcats
Age: 19 (2005)
Drafted: 2023, 2nd round, 48th overall
Etienne Morin took a step back in his third season with the Moncton Wild Cats scoring 12 goals, and 49 points after scoring 21 goals and 72 points in his draft year of 2023. The physical defender joined the Calgary Wranglers following his team's elimination from the QMJHL playoffs, where he picked up three assists in four games.
8. Parker Bell, LW, Tri-City Americans
Age: 20 (2003)
Drafted: 2022, 5th round, 155th overall
Parker Bell wrapped up the WHL season scoring 33 goals and 31 assists, along with matching his point total from last season of 64 points. Bell was first in team goals for the Americans and finished third in team points. The playmaker joined the Calgary Wranglers following a disappointing Tri-City season where they finished 11th in the West with a 23-42-2 record. The native of Estevan, SK has now appeared in four games with the Calgary Wranglers, where he is still looking for his first AHL goal.
7. Artem Grushnikov, D, Calgary Wranglers
Age: 20 (2003)
Drafted: 2021, 2nd round 2, 48th overall (Dallas Stars)
Artem Grushnikov was a returning piece in the Chris Tanev trade, entering the Flames system during his first full season in the AHL. Grushnikov is not as flashy as the other defensive prospects the Flames currently have but is more akin to the defender the Flames traded away. GM Craig Conroy said that Grushnikov is a perfect complement to the offensive prospects the Flames have. The Russian finished the season with one goal and six points in 64 games between the Texas Stars and Calgary Wranglers.
6. Jaden Lipinski, C, Vancouver Giants
Age: 19 (2004)
Drafted: 2023, 4th round, 112th overall
Jaden Lipinski is a 6-foot-3 centre with great mobility and point production who appeared in his best season in his third year with the Vancouver Giants, scoring 24 goals and 66 points. The Calgary Flames added Lipinski to the Calgary Wranglers on an ATO after the Giants playoffs concluded, the forward picked up three assists in five WHL playoff games.
5. Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers
Age: 19 (2004)
Drafted: 2023, 3rd round, 75th overall (Vancouver Canucks)
The offensive-minded defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz was one of the returning pieces from the Elias Lindholm trade. Brzustewicz finished his season with the Kitchener Rangers scoring 13 goals and 79 assists while finishing second in the league scoring 92 points. Following the end of the season, the Flames signed the recently-acquired defenceman to an entry-level contract. The
offensive upset of the Brzustewicz has many fans excited for what he may bring to the Flames in the furture.
4. Jeremie Poirier, D, Calgary Wranglers
Age: 21 (2002)
Drafted: 2022, 3rd round, 72nd overall
Another exciting defence prospect comes in the form of Jeremie Poirier, who scored nine goals and 41 goals in 69 games last season, along with scoring eight points in nine playoff games last spring. Unfortunately for the blueliner, he missed a huge chunk of this season with a hand injury but still managed to put up 13 points in 23 appearances. The 6''1 Poirier will still be a key piece in this Wranglers postseason, and someone we could see making the jump to the NHL next fall.
3. Samuel Honzek, C, Vancouver Giants
Age: 19 (2004)
Drafted: 2023, 1st round, 16th overall
The first pick of the draft in 2023 was Slovak forward Samuel Honzek who missed the first 25 games of the season after he was sidelined with a lower-body injury in the Flames preseason. After returning to the Giants, the 6'3" forward came out strong scoring seven points in his first five games, before he was sent off to represent Slovakia at the World Juniors as the lone Flames prospect. In Gothenburg, Honzek scored three goals and four points in five games before falling to Finland in the opening round of the playoff portion of the tournament.
Returning to the Giants, Honzek finished the season with ten goals and 31 points playing in 33 games. Unfortunately, the Giants playoffs were cut in the opening round with Honzek scoring twice in five games. Following the season, Honzek appeared in two games with the Wranglers, but is still searching for his first pro point.
2. Matt Coronato, RW, Calgary Wranglers
Age: 21 (2002)
Drafted: 2021, 1st round, 13th overall
After an impressive pre-season with the Flames, the offensive winger struggled to find the back net in the NHL scoring once in his first month before being assigned to the Wranglers. It was a different story in the AHL, where Coronato was over a point per game scoring 15 times along with picking up 42 points in 41 games. The winger earned another call-up after the trade deadline adding two more goals for the Flames to add to nine points in his 34 NHL games this season.
After the season ended, Coronato was sent back to the Wranglers to add firepower for a potential playoff run. The Bison played a ton of hockey this past season, playing in 75 pro games along with his pre-season and extended camp at the Penticton Young Stars, after making the jump from a 34-game collage season.
1. Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Wranglers
Age: 23 (2001)
Drafted: 2019, 7th round, 214th overall
Now much is left to say about Wolf, as he is one step closer to making the Flames club full time. After a stint in the NHL to wrap up the regular season, Wolf was sent back to the Wranglers to help on the playoff run. This season the California native put up a 20-12-3 record in the AHL with 0.922 SV% and a 2.45 GAA. As for his time in the NHL, Wolf appeared in 17 games with the Flames picking up seven wins, with a 0.893 SV% and a 3.16 GAA behind a new-look defense after the trades the Flames made this past season.
If the Flames are looking to open up full-time space for the goalie by either re-visiting a Jacob Markstrom trade this summer or are looking to move Dan Vladar, this should be the last appearance on any prospects rankings for Wolf.