Matvei Gridin Named to 2026 AHL All-Star Classic: A Rookie Season Worth Watching
Matvei Gridin’s breakout season just added another highlight.
The 19-year-old Calgary Flames prospect has been selected to represent the Calgary Wranglers at the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic - a well-earned honor in what’s been a standout rookie campaign. Through 32 games, Gridin has tallied 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists), placing him third in scoring on the Wranglers and second among all AHL rookies. That’s not just solid production - that’s impact-level play from a teenager still adjusting to the pro game.
“It's awesome,” Gridin said with a smile. “It's exciting to be there and enjoy a couple days there.”
And enjoy it he should. The All-Star nod puts Gridin in elite company - he’s one of just 12 first-round picks and one of 30 players with NHL experience selected for the showcase this season. Drafted 28th overall by the Flames in 2024, he’s quickly proving why Calgary invested in his potential.
But Gridin’s not just happy to be there - he’s ready to compete. The skills competition, in particular, has his attention.
“I’ll pick some skills where I can do a shootout comp, like the precision shootout and goalie shootout, and then probably a fast lap,” he said, grinning. “I think I've got some speed.”
That blend of confidence and enthusiasm is exactly what’s fueled his rise this season. Gridin has shown he can play with pace, create offense, and make smart decisions in tight spaces - all traits that translate well to a showcase setting. And don’t be surprised if he turns some heads with his skill set when the lights go up in Rockford.
Wranglers head coach Brett Sutter has seen Gridin’s growth firsthand and wasn’t surprised by the selection.
“Right from day one, when he came down here, he had the right mindset of making sure he is getting better every day,” Sutter said. “Everyone is pretty excited for him today.”
Sutter knows the All-Star stage well. He captained the Western Conference at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic and coached the Pacific Division squad at last year’s event. That experience gives him a unique appreciation for what this means - not just for Gridin, but for the Wranglers organization as a whole.
Gridin’s teammates have also rallied around him. Forward Rory Kerins, who suited up for the Wranglers at last year’s All-Star Classic alongside goaltender Devin Cooley, kept his advice simple: “Just have fun.
It’s a pretty cool experience. You get to meet the guys around the league, enjoy it.”
Veteran Martin Frk, who still holds the AHL All-Star hardest shot record at a jaw-dropping 109.2 mph from 2020, echoed the same sentiment - with a bit of a challenge thrown in.
“Really happy for him, he deserves it, he’s had a really good first half of the season,” Frk said. “Have fun, it’s fun to be around the best players in the league.
Hopefully he can do some cool skills there. He has a good shot too, so maybe see if he goes for the hardest shot.
Overall it’s a great experience - you're having fun with all the best. He will have a good time.”
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic takes place February 10-11 in Rockford, Illinois. The weekend kicks off with the skills competition, where Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars go head-to-head in seven events. The following day features the All-Star Challenge - a 3-on-3 round-robin tournament with four teams, culminating in an eight-minute championship finale.
Around the Rink: Wranglers Notes
Gridin’s All-Star selection comes at a time when the Wranglers have been navigating a tough stretch of games. They’ve dropped three of their last five, including back-to-back losses to Abbotsford - one in a shootout, the other by a single goal in regulation. Still, there have been some bright spots.
Dryden Hunt has been heating up, recording four points in two games against Abbotsford. Sam Morton found the net in back-to-back outings. And Gridin, since returning to the lineup, has chipped in three points over three games - continuing to show why he’s one of the most exciting young players in the league.
Meanwhile, forward Aydar Suniev made his return on January 16 after missing 12 games, giving the Wranglers another weapon up front.
What’s Next
The Wranglers are set for a pair of home games against Bakersfield on January 16 and 17, followed by two matchups with Laval on January 24 and 26. With Gridin riding high and the team looking to build some momentum, it’s the perfect time for Calgary fans to get a closer look at one of the most promising prospects in the system.
Gridin’s All-Star selection is more than just a personal accolade - it’s a sign of what’s brewing in Calgary’s pipeline. The kid’s not just flashing potential.
He’s delivering. And now, he’s got a stage to show the rest of the league exactly what he’s about.