Craig Conroy’s Draft Picks: Where Are They Now?

As Craig Conroy prepares for his fourth NHL Draft as general manager of the Calgary Flames, he does so with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Since taking the reins on May 23, 2023, from Brad Treliving, who left behind a barren draft cupboard with only three picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, Conroy has made significant strides. In his inaugural draft, he had the 16th overall pick and a total of six selections, which helped him restock the team’s 2024 draft pool with ten prospects, including two first-rounders at 9th and 28th overall.

Continuing his momentum in 2025, Conroy amended his approach, reducing his selections to eight while still securing two first-round picks at 18th and 32nd overall. To date, he has made 24 selections at the NHL Draft, with 11 more on the horizon this year, including a coveted 6th overall and eight picks within the top 68. As he heads into the draft in Buffalo, the stakes are high, and many are looking back at the players he has already chosen to see how they are faring in 2026.

Among Conroy’s notable picks is Samuel Honzek, selected 16th overall. Honzek made his NHL debut in the 2025-26 season, participating in 18 games and scoring two goals and four points. He remains on the Flames roster as he continues his development on a two-year entry-level contract.

Another promising talent is Étienne Morin, chosen 48th overall. Morin established himself as a regular in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers, netting his first goal and contributing six assists in 42 games last season. He is expected to solidify his position with the Wranglers in the upcoming season.

Aydar Suniev, taken 80th overall, has had a taste of NHL action with a one-game call-up in the 2024-25 season. Although he has logged seven games with the Flames, he has primarily been a fixture with the Wranglers, where he scored 16 goals in 57 games last year.

Jaden Lipinski, drafted 112th overall, has transitioned from the WHL’s Vancouver Giants to the University of Maine, where he recorded three goals and 12 points in 30 games during the 2025-26 season. Currently unsigned by the Flames, his rights will expire on July 1, 2027.

Goaltender Yegor Yegorov, selected 176th overall, is set to make his North American debut, committing to Miami University for the 2026-27 season. Like Lipinski, he is also unsigned, with his rights held by the Flames until July 1, 2027.

On the defensive front, Axel Hurtig (208th overall) has made waves in the WHL, where he captained the Hitmen last season. With 35 points over 119 games in the WHL, he is poised to join the Wranglers for the upcoming season.

First-round pick Zayne Parekh (9th overall) has quickly become a fan favorite. After dominating the OHL, he made his NHL debut in 2025-26, becoming an integral part of the Flames’ rebuild. In 37 games, Parekh contributed four goals and nine points, showcasing his potential as a core player for Calgary.

Matveii Gridin, selected 28th overall, has also made a splash, splitting his time between the Wranglers and Flames in 2025-26, where he scored 16 goals and 50 points in his first professional season.

As we assess Conroy’s draft history, it’s clear that he has laid a solid foundation for the Flames’ future. With the upcoming draft, fans are eager to see which of his selections will make the next leap into the NHL. How do you rank Conroy’s draft history? Which players do you believe will make an impact next season? Join the conversation in the comments.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.