Standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 194 pounds, Carels has quickly become a name to watch in the world of hockey. His standout season, boasting 20 goals and 53 assists over 58 games, has solidified his reputation as one of the premier two-way defensemen in this year's draft class. This combination of offensive flair and defensive prowess is a rare find, making him an exciting prospect for any team.
Come fall, Carels will be taking his talents to the University of North Dakota, joining forces with Cole Reschny, last year’s first-round pick. It's a move that promises to bolster an already formidable roster, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling college hockey season.
The Calgary Flames saw something special in Carels, making him their highest pick since they selected Matthew Tkachuk back in 2016. Interestingly, Carels chose a more personal setting for draft day, watching the event unfold from his family’s cattle farm in Cypress River, Manitoba. It's a scene that underscores his grounded nature despite the whirlwind of attention surrounding him.
The Flames' current roster is brimming with young defensive talent, featuring names like Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz, and the newly acquired Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils. However, with all these players being right shots, the left-shooting Carels fills a crucial gap, adding balance and versatility to the defensive lineup. It was a strategic move by the Flames, made clear when Lanny McDonald announced the pick, highlighting how Carels' unique skill set and position made him an ideal fit for the team’s future plans.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of an exciting journey for Carels and the Flames.
In Other News...
Zach Werenski Trade Buzz Just Put Blue Jackets Fans On Edge
The latest round of trade chatter has put an old Ottawa headache back in the spotlight, even if the Senators are only watching from the sidelines. Brady Tkachuks future has been a topic before, and the recent reporting around his contract situation only adds another layer to a summer in which big names and big decisions keep colliding across the league.
There is also a familiar Eastern Conference edge to the noise, with Zach Werenskis name now part of the conversation as multiple teams circle and no-move clauses come into play. For Ottawa fans, it is the kind of league-wide drama that can still matter close to home, because every star who becomes available changes the market around them and raises the stakes for the Senators own long-term plans. [Read more 🡒]
Staios Just Put Ottawas Entire Rebuild On The Line
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Burakovsky stands out as the kind of move Ottawa does not make lightly, a calculated swing on a player the club studied closely because of his experience and past success. Even with that work done and the roster clearly changed, the bigger question hanging over the Senators is how much the group has really shifted in the wake of losing Brady Tkachuk, and whether the next step forward still looks the same from here. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Face A Massive Artem Zub Decision This Offseason
Artem Zubs value to Ottawa showed up all season, from the steady minutes he logged to the way he and Jake Sanderson quietly formed one of the leagues most effective defensive pairs. Zub also delivered the most productive year of his career in 81 games, giving the Senators a right-shot defender who brought structure at even strength and enough offense to make his role even more important heading into the offseason.
Now comes the hard part for the Senators, who are expected to open talks on a new deal that could run four or five years. The number attached to that conversation is not small, with the sides likely circling a range in the neighborhood of $6 million to $6.5 million per season, a price that reflects both Zubs importance and the reality that Ottawa has to decide how much it wants to invest in keeping that pairing intact for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]