Wranglers Mix Youth, Veterans, and Try-Outs in 28-Man Camp Roster
Calgary development squad prepares for 2025–26 AHL season after intrasquad scrimmage at WinSport.
CALGARY -- Training camp at WinSport has brought together prospects, veterans, and hopefuls as the Calgary Wranglers prepare for the 2025–26 AHL season. The group has been on the ice since Monday, highlighted by an intrasquad scrimmage Wednesday that gave fans their first glimpse of the roster.
The Wranglers’ camp list features three goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 16 forwards, blending returning regulars with offseason additions and players on professional try-outs. Seven skaters arrived from ECHL affiliate Rapid City, while veteran defenceman Turner Ottenbreit joined on an AHL PTO.
Among the offseason signings, forward Quinn Olson stands out as a Calgary native returning home after splitting last season between Greenville in the ECHL and Ontario in the AHL. Forward Brett Davis, from Oakbank, Man., re-joins the Wranglers after time with Rapid City and Calgary. Defenceman Xavier Bernard of Mercier, Que., and forwards Briley Wood of Rivers, Man., and Blake Bennett of Grand Island, N.Y., add further depth to the lineup.
Goaltender Arsenii Sergeev enters camp as the organization’s top AHL netminder, joined by Connor Murphy and try-out Noah Giesbrecht. With Dustin Wolf now cemented on the Flames roster, Sergeev’s progression will be closely monitored as a key piece of Calgary’s long-term goaltending outlook.
Several prospects are in line to make an impact, including Lucas Ciona, David Silye, and defenceman Jeremie Poirier, all of whom could see NHL call-up opportunities during the season. Veterans Alex Gallant and Martin Frk return to provide leadership and scoring depth, while Olson offers fans a local storyline to follow.
The Wranglers now look ahead to the 2025–26 AHL regular season, which begins October 10. Full coverage continues at ProvectusMedia.ca.
Flames Prospects Hold Off Oilers 5–4 to Sweep NextGen Showcase
CALGARY — The Calgary Flames prospects capped the NextGen Showcase with a 5–4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome, sweeping the weekend home-and-home series between the provincial rivals.
Edmonton struck first just over two minutes in, when Tommy Lafrenière (#54) converted from the slot to give the visitors an early lead. Calgary answered late in the opening frame. Mael Lavigne (#85) tied the game at 1–1, finishing a play set up by Kadon McCann (#73) and Simon Mack (#88).
The first period also featured a heavy hit from defenseman Mace’o Phillips (#92) that energized the crowd, as well as a key stop from goaltender Arsenii Sergeev (#40) to keep the game even heading into intermission.
Second Period
Nathan Brisson (#82) put Calgary ahead midway through the period, converting on a rush created by Jacob Battaglia (#60), with Mack earning his second assist of the night. Matvei Gridin (#51) then extended the lead, hammering a one-timer home off feeds from Carter King (#95) and Sam Honzek (#29).
Lafrenière responded with his second of the game on an Edmonton power play, cutting the Flames’ lead to 3–2 after forty minutes.
Third Period
Calgary wasted little time adding insurance. At 2:51, Colton Alain (#71) snapped a shot from the high slot after a setup by David Silye (#83) and Aydar Suniev (#36) to make it 4–2.
Edmonton’s Josh Samanski replied minutes later, finishing off a setup from Quinn Hutson to make it 4–3, but the Flames restored their cushion on the power play. Hunter Laing (#53) finished off a passing play from Parker Bell (#87) and Suniev to push the lead to 5–3.
Von Richter’s point shot brought Edmonton back within one, but Sergeev shut the door in the dying seconds. With the Oilers pressing and their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Calgary held firm through a frantic scramble in front to seal the win.
Top Performers
Nathan Brisson (CGY): Scored the go-ahead goal in the second and added an assist.
Simon Mack (CGY): Two assists, steady presence on the back end.
Aydar Suniev (CGY): Involved in multiple plays, including a key setup on the Laing power-play goal.
Hunter Laing (CGY): Power-play goal that ultimately stood up as the game-winner.
Tommy Lafrenière (EDM): Two goals to pace the Oilers’ attack and keep them within striking distance.
Arsenii Sergeev (CGY): Steady in net, closing the door during a wild final scramble.
Final Score: Flames 5, Oilers 4
What’s Next
The NHL preseason begins next weekend. On Saturday, September 20, the Dallas Stars host the St. Louis Blues (5 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. ET). The following day is a busy one across the league, with 14 games on the schedule, including split-squad matchups between the Flames and Oilers. Both games are set for Sunday, September 21, with puck drop at 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET.
AHL’s Top 5 Goal Scorers From 2024–25: Kerins Breaks Through for Wranglers
CALGARY — The American Hockey League once again served as a proving ground for scoring talent in 2024–25. Five forwards stood out above the rest, combining consistency, durability, and finishing ability to separate themselves from the pack.
At No. 5 was Bradly Nadeau of St-François-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick. The 19-year-old rookie forward scored 32 goals in 64 games for the Chicago Wolves, immediately putting himself on the radar as one of the league’s most promising young players.
Fourth place went to Rory Kerins of Caledon, Ontario, who delivered a breakout year with 33 goals in 63 games for the Calgary Wranglers. Now entering his fifth year in the Flames organization, Kerins’ progress has Flames fans wondering if he can take the next step and earn a full-time spot with the NHL roster in 2025–26.
Two players tied for second with 36 goals. Alex Steeves, born in St. Paul, Minnesota and raised in Bedford, New Hampshire, scored 36 goals in 59 games for the Toronto Marlies, continuing to make his case as one of Toronto’s most reliable scoring options at the AHL level. Sharing second was John Leonard of Amherst, Massachusetts, who matched Steeves with 36 goals while appearing in all 72 games for the Charlotte Checkers.
The league’s top scorer was Matěj Blümel of Tábor, Czechia. Blümel found the net 39 times in 67 games for the Texas Stars, earning the Willie Marshall Award as the AHL’s leading goal scorer. Dallas will be watching closely to see how quickly his production can translate to the NHL.
From Nadeau’s rookie splash to Kerins’ Calgary breakthrough and Blümel’s award-winning season, the AHL’s top scorers in 2024–25 showed the depth of young talent pushing for NHL opportunities.
For Flames fans, Kerins’ emergence may prove one of the most intriguing storyline as the organization continues to build its roster for the 2025–26 season.