The Calgary Flames present isn't looking too promising, but over the next few years with a fantastic prospect group and even more draft capital following 8 picks in the top 70 in the 2026 NHL Draft, the future is beginning to look brighter and brighter.
While all of the attention is on the current group of young stars emerging in the NHL like Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin, over the next few years, we should see at least five new young players make their way to the NHL, if not more. One of those players is Ethan Wyttenbach, who was selected No. 144 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, with the Flames taking a flier on him despite the criticisms of his size at just 5-foot-10, 185 pounds.
Despite the fact that he was a late addition to the college ranks, with many believing he was going to play in the USHL this past season, he hit the ground running, and after just one season, he was ranked No. 76 overall on Scott Wheeler's recent list of top-100 prospects in the National Hockey League.
My top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking is out at @TheAthletic!
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) April 13, 2026
- Full reports and projections
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The 2026 edition: https://t.co/YbgM413wXV pic.twitter.com/lv3vTaVKFV
At just 18-years of age, Wyttenbach dominated for Quinnipiac, leading the nation in scoring with 25 goals and 59 points across 40 games played, establishing himself as an absolute draft steal for Calgary. While some thought he would turn profesisonal for the 2026/27 season, Wyttenbach committed to Quinnipiac again for the season, but he's got goals far beyond that.
During a recent interview with Sportsnet 960 The Fan, Wyttenbach opened up on many things, but most of all, he revealed his goals for next year, admitting that he wants to be a Flame late in the year once his sophomore season in college is done.
🔥 One more year!#Flames prospect Ethan Wyttenbach joined @Fan960Steinberg and @Fan960Logan on #Flames Talk after opting to return for a sophomore season at Quinnipiac!
— Sportsnet 960 (@Sportsnet960) May 21, 2026
LISTEN: https://t.co/LcT0j52Dr7 pic.twitter.com/xhuQxynG33
While the size still remains a question mark, the skill, the speed and the uneblievable shot are all going to be tools he can use to succeed at the next level. Obviously, there have been many comparisons to the late Johnny Gaudreau given his late-round draft status and rise through the NCAA ranks, and if he backs up 2025/26 with another great season, there's no reason why he can't be a key for the Flames future.
Alongside Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter and whoever the Flames draft with their eight picks in the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft, Wyttenbach represents a key piece of the future, and given his goals, the future will be here, sooner, rather than later.
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