Round Two The Calgary Flames select Etienne Morin at #48. A 6’0… 180lb left shot defenceman selected from the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. Well known for his strong two-way game. A point a game defender.
Very few flaws in Etienne’s game. 21 goals from the blue line. The Flames find more talent out of the Q to compliment the Jeremie Poirier pick in 2020. The 21 year old placed second in rookie scoring among defencemen in the AHL with nine goals and 41 points in 69 games.
Scouts say Morin’s skating needs to continue to improve. A common goal for a second round prospect. With a jump from eight goals and 33 points in 2021-2022 to 21 goals and 72 points in 2022-2023; it’s fair to say that the guy is improving.
Welcome to the Flames, Etienne!
Round Three With #80 overall Calgary selects Aydar Suniev. A 6’2… 198lb power forward playing for the Pentincton Vees of the BCHL. A throwback power forward who will push defenders to their limits in the corners.
The Kazan, Russia native plays a very well-rounded game. A left-shot left wing with very few deficiencies in any area. Naturally, getting stronger and faster is the next step. Suniev is committed to playing at the University of Massachusetts. He’ll have plenty of time to develop. One has to wonder if Iggy weighed in on this player given his time in BC last season.
Aydar has a big shot. Etienne has a big shot, Honzek has a big shot, Sharangovich has a big shot. Seeing a trend here?
Welcome to Calgary, Aydar!
Round Four At #112 the Flames select Jaden Lipinski, a teammate of first round pick Samuel Hronzek on the Vancouver Giants. Another player living up to the Giants name. Lipinski is 6’4…, 209lbs and a right shot center.
A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jaden put up 19 goals and 51 points in 66 games for Vancouver over the 2022-2023 regular season.
Welcome to Calgary, Jaden!
Round Six At #176 the Flames select 6’3… goaltender Yegor Yegorov out of Russia’s Dynamo Minsk program. The lanky keeper put up a .915 save percentage and a 2.29 goals against average over 15 games on Dynamo Moskva of the MHL.
Welcome to Calgary, Yegor(2)!
Round Seven Hulking Swedish defenceman Axel Hurtig goes at #208. A 6’4… 204lb defensive defenceman. Hurtig looks like a steal considering he was ranked in the mid-150s among the scouting groups that ranked him.
Axel plays for Rogle in Sweden’s U20 junior league. He got his size from his father Bjarne (6’2…, 223lbs) who played pro in Sweden until 2005.
Welcome to Calgary, Axel!
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via eliteprospects.com.