The Calgary Wranglers finished the 2025‑26 AHL season with the league’s worst record in the Western Conference, a 31st‑place finish that underscored a need for rapid transformation. A 2.81 goals‑per‑game average was paired with a league‑worst 3.73 goals allowed, highlighting both offensive struggles and a porous defense.
Management responded by weaving experience into a roster that already boasted high‑scoring forwards. Veterans Jack Livingstone and Mike Benning were signed to inject steadiness, while Dryden Hunt and Martin Frk, who ranked ninth and tied for ninth in AHL scoring, are expected to anchor the attack.
Prospects Ready to Emerge
Among the most anticipated newcomers is Brennan Othmann, a 23‑year‑old winger acquired from the Hartford Wolf Pack. Though his AHL résumé is still being written, the organization believes his offensive skill set can translate into immediate production. Also slated for a larger role is Jonathan Castagna, a top‑center prospect whose three seasons of college hockey have primed him for a breakout within the Flames’ rebuild.
Defensive prospects add another layer of optimism. Zayne Parekh is projected to start the season in the NHL, while Hunter Brzustewicz may spend the year in the AHL as a stay‑at‑home defenseman. The blue‑line also welcomes Carson Carels, the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft, who will complete a season at the University of North Dakota before joining the Flames organization.
A Culture Shift in Calgary
Beyond individual talent, the Wranglers are emphasizing a cultural overhaul. Club leadership hopes that the blend of seasoned veterans and hungry prospects will foster a winning mentality that filters up to the parent club, the Calgary Flames. General manager Brad Treliving has repeatedly stressed that the AHL team must become a true developmental hub, not merely a placeholder.
The coaching staff, led by head coach Mitch Lamoureux, has outlined a system that prioritizes responsible defensive play while encouraging creative offense. If the new schemes click, the Wranglers could see a marked improvement in goals‑against metrics, a critical step toward shedding the league’s worst defensive reputation.
The organization’s broader vision ties the Wranglers’ success to the Flames’ long‑term competitiveness. With a prospect pool lauded as one of the deepest in the NHL, the hope is that a strong AHL performance will accelerate the timeline for a Flames resurgence, ultimately restoring the franchise to its storied place in Canadian hockey.