The Calgary Flames have selected defenceman Carson Carels with the sixth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday.
The left-shot defenceman scored 20 goals and finished with an impressive 73 points in 58 games with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League last season.
In the postseason, he tallied a goal and 10 points in 10 games, and also registered one assist in five games for Team Canada at the World Juniors last season in a bronze medal finish.
The 18-year-old Carels is a native of Cypress River, Man., and did not attend the draft in person, choosing to celebrate on his family’s farm in Manitoba.
Carels will be tasked with revitalizing a Flames team that finished 34-39-9 a season ago and has missed the postseason in four consecutive years.
