There’s something special brewing in this year’s edition of the AHL’s top prospect showcase - and it starts with a trio of 19-year-olds making history.
For the first time ever, three teenagers born in the same year have earned invites to the event, joining a short but impressive list of players who made their mark early. Names like Patrice Bergeron (2005), J.T.
Miller (2013), William Nylander and Mikko Rantanen (both in 2016), and Dalibor Dvorsky (2025) set the standard. Now, this new group is looking to carve out their own path - and they’re off to a strong start.
Some of those former teenage invitees are currently skating under their national flags at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, while one is on the doorstep of a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction. That’s the kind of company we’re talking about here - elite talent that didn’t just flash potential, but fulfilled it on the biggest stages.
Among the current crop, one name drawing plenty of attention is Flames prospect Gridin, taken 28th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. And according to Calgary GM Craig Conroy, the kid’s not just holding his own - he’s leading the charge.
“People don’t realize how good the American Hockey League is and how hard it really is,” Conroy said. “He’s been probably our best player down there this year. At 19 years old, people don’t realize how amazing that is.”
He’s not wrong. The AHL doesn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for young talent.
It’s a league filled with grown men fighting for NHL jobs, where physicality, pace, and consistency separate the prospects from the pros. So when a teenager not only survives but thrives in that environment, it turns heads - especially in front offices.
For Gridin, this season has been more than just development. It’s been a statement.
He’s earning heavy minutes, driving play, and showing a maturity beyond his years. That kind of impact at 19 doesn’t come around often, and it’s why the Flames are watching his progress with more than just curiosity - they’re watching with expectation.
This trio of 19-year-olds isn’t just filling out the roster. They’re part of a growing trend of young players pushing the envelope, stepping into pro hockey earlier and making waves faster than ever before. And if history is any indication, at least one of them could be on a path that leads all the way to the Hall.
For now, though, they’re sharpening their game in the AHL, proving they belong - and making it clear that the future of hockey isn’t just coming. It’s already here.