The Calgary Flames Absolutely Knocked It Out Of The Park With Their Incredible 2024 Draft Class From The OHL

The four OHL players drafted by Calgary in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft have excelled this season, led by their superstar first-round selection, Zayne Parekh.

A total of 39 OHL players were chosen in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, with four of them joining the Calgary Flames organization. Early indications suggest that these four prospects are showing promising potential and making a strong impression, by leading the charge offensively on a nightly basis for their OHL teams. 

Calgary did not pass up on the opportunity to draft the most elite offensive defenseman in the 2024 draft class, Zayne Parekh when they were on the clock at pick No. 9. 

From an offensive standpoint, there really isn't much Parekh can't do. His incredibly nimble skating opens up the ice for him in a way many other defensemen cannot do. 

Then, he can pick apart the opposing team's defenses with his top-notch vision to identify passing and shooting lanes. He's not a big guy — six feet and 185 pounds — but his wrister from the point is a powerful one that always seems to have a seeing eye to hit the back of the net. 

Parekh posted his second hat trick in three games on Sunday, Jan. 26, in Saginaw's 7-2 win over Ottawa. Ironically, he did so in front of Team Canada's Head Coach Dave Cameron at the 2025 World Juniors, who chose not to have him on the roster. 

The Spirit defenseman leads the OHL in goals by a defenseman with 21 in 39 games and second in points with 59. Zayne is on a six-game point streak, scoring nine times and registering 16 points during his hot stretch. 

The defenseman who has more points than the Flames' first-rounder is Henry Mews, who was drafted by Calgary 74th overall in the third round. 

The Ottawa, Ontario native has blossomed and shown his full potential this season, recording 60 points in 45 games, two points shy of setting a new career high. He was drafted seventh overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection while being coveted as a game-changing blueliner through his evasive skating and offensive instincts. 

Those high-end offensive instincts have made him one of the most lethal defensemen on the powerplay this season. Mews leads all defenders in powerplay points in the OHL with 32. 

Mews was traded from the 67's to Sudbury at the OHL's trade deadline and has 10 points in seven games with his new team. He'll have the opportunity to play playoff hockey with the Wolves and hopefully surprise teams in the close and fierce battle within the Eastern Conference. 

Kingston Frontenacs forward Jacob Battaglia was one of the hottest forwards to start the year in the OHL. And his production has not slowed down. 

Battaglia was drafted 62nd overall by the Flames in the tail end of the second round. After putting up seven goals in his OHL rookie campaign, he exploded for 31 goals in his draft year, developing into a lethal scoring threat. 

The Frontenacs forward is a forward who has the potential to become an NHL power forward with a scoring touch in and around the net. At 6-foot-1 and over 200 pounds, he possesses soft hands in tight and is hard to knock off the puck along the cycle. 

He's tied with Cedrick Guindon for most goals (27) on Kingston and trails him in points (62) by two. The Flames second-rounder is on pace for a 40-goal season and over 90 points, which would smash his career highs. 

Battaglia also has a point streak going of his own, posting five goals and 14 points in his last six games. 

The last OHL Calgary prospect who has excelled this season is Brampton Steelheads center Luke Misa, who was drafted by the team 150th overall in the fifth round. 

There were always going to be concerns regarding Misa heading into his draft year because of his lack of size — 5-foot-10, 176 pounds. However, like his younger brother Michael, he's always been a talented player with explosive skating that sets him apart from his peers. 

When his Steelheads teammates Carson Rehkopf and Porter Martone left the team to play at the World Junior Championship, Misa stepped up for his team. The robust skater posted 13 points in eight games with them out of the lineup.

Misa is second on Brampton in goals (25) and points (59) but has done most of his damage this season at even strength (48 points at even strength). Additionally, he's the only OHL player with only two penalty minutes and over a point per game. 

Calgary's OHL scouting team deserves a ton of applause for the picks they made in last year's draft. 

Zayne Parekh was undoubtedly an excellent choice for the draft, showcasing the kind of talent that makes him a standout player. 

Meanwhile, the selections of Battaglia, Mews, and Misa present an intriguing trio of promising young prospects. Each of them possesses the potential to eventually make their mark in the NHL. Moreover, their growing trade value could serve as a strategic advantage for the Flames, enabling them to pursue established players through the trade market.

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