The 4 most Intriguing Calgary Flames prospects heading to Penticton

Penticton is such a fun tournament because it is the first opportunity for fans to get to watch some of the top prospects play in the Flames organization. Here are some of the most intriguing and interesting players to watch this weekend!

Étienne Morin

Defenseman – Left Shot – 6’0″, 180 Pounds – 18 Years Old

Morin is one of the more exciting defensive prospects to enter the Flames system in a long time. Morin is a high-end offensive defenceman who put up 72 points in 67 games in the QMJHL as a 17-year-old for most of the season. He followed that up by scoring 17 points in 12 games in the playoffs.

For context, Flames prospect Jeremie Poirier had 53 points in 64 games in his 17-year-old QMJHL season with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

In almost any other draft class, Morin would have been a late first round selection. But because of the quality of the 2022 group, he fell to the Flames at pick 48.

Morin has all the tools to be a power play quarterback, top four, puck moving defenceman in the NHL one day. He is a great skater who has a ton of confidence with the puck on his stick. It’s going to be interesting to see if he can stand out among his peer group in Penticton.

Samuel Honzek

Forward – Left Shot – 6’4″, 186 Pounds – 18 Years Old

One of the main reasons why Honzek is such an intriguing prospect is because he was taken 16th overall in one of the best draft classes of all time on paper. He must be one hell of a player to be selected in that position.

Honzek brings much needed size, speed, and skill to this Flames group of prospects. He already has the body of a professional hockey player at the age of 18. I will be looking to see if Honzek can make a difference on the ice in almost every shift he plays. He can do so in a lot of different ways because of the size and skill he brings to the table. He could make a great play on the forecheck, finish hits on opposing defencemen, make a play in his own end, or scoring a goal using his high end shot.

The Young Stars Classic is a tournament where first and second round picks should stand out. I am expecting Honzek to be one of the best players not only on the Flames, but in the entire tournament.

William Strömgren

Forward – Left Shot – 6’2″, 172 Pounds – 20 Years Old

Strömgren is one of the most intriguing players in the entire Flames organization as he is going to have high expectations surrounding him as he heads into his first season in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers. And whether it’s fair or not, Strömgren will always be known as the player who was selected two picks ahead of Logan Stankoven.

There is no doubt that Strömgren has all the physical tools to be a good player at the pro level in North America. He has a big frame at 6’2″ and has a good set of hands to go with it. But since being drafted, he has struggled to put it all together. He hasn’t put up big numbers playing pro Sweden. He also struggled at the 2022 World Juniors. Can he start to turn his career and reputation around starting in Penticton this weekend? Flames fans certainly hope so.

Lucas Ciona

Forward – Left Shot – 6-2, 220 Pounds – 20 Years Old

One element the Flames are missing from their forward group both in the prospect system and on the NHL roster is toughness. Ciona will help bring that element of physicality and toughness. The good thing about Ciona is that it’s functional toughness. He is a really good player. He put up 75 points in 63 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds last season in the WHL.

Ciona has the potential to be a Lance Bouma or Micheal Ferland style of player. Someone who can get in on the forecheck, lay out some huge hits, but also have the ability to score 10-15 goals a season.

I am excited to see how physical Ciona is going to be in this tournament. This is going to be a great opportunity for him to make a name for himself with the new coaching staff in both the AHL and NHL.

Who are the players that you are most excited to watch this weekend in Penticton?