Overview
- Carson Carels was chosen sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday night, with the team announcing the pick from KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
- Carels is a 6-foot-2, 198-pound left-shot defenseman who broke out with 73 points in 58 games for the WHL’s Prince George Cougars in 2025-26.
- Scouts describe him as a physical, mobile two-way defender with top-pair upside who can play heavy minutes and excel in shutdown roles.
- He is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2026-27 season, a path that most analysts say points to a one- to two-year development window before full NHL impact but leaves open the possibility of an earlier pro push.
- Carels’ underage role with Canada at the World Junior Championship and his farm upbringing in Cypress River, Manitoba, are cited as evidence of his maturity and work ethic and they strengthen Calgary’s left-shot defensive depth long term.