2026 Draft Rundown
Carson Carels, an 18-year-old defenceman from Cypress River, Manitoba, was selected by the Calgary Flames as the sixth overall pick in the NHL Draft. Carels made the decision to spend draft night at his family’s working farm in Manitoba, surrounded by approximately 70 loved ones, rather than attending the event in Buffalo with other top prospects.
The announcement of his selection was made by Cole Waldie, the Prince George Cougars broadcaster, who was filming the event for Carels’ family. Carels, who stands 6-foot-2, recorded 73 points in 58 games last season with the Cougars in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Carels’ path from farm to draft
Carels’ family farm, located just under 100 miles west of Winnipeg, spans 2,500 acres and is home to over 500 cows and 150 goats. He grew up working on the farm, an experience he credits with shaping his work ethic. His grandfather, Paul Carels, purchased the first part of the current property in 1980. The family has deep roots in the area, with many relatives living within a 20-mile radius, leading some to refer to the region as “Carels’ country.”
The defenceman’s journey to the NHL Draft included significant achievements in junior hockey. During the 2025-26 season, he recorded 73 points in 58 games, marking the second-highest point total by a defenceman in Prince George Cougars history. He also finished tied for fourth in scoring among all blueliners in the WHL, highlighted by a 17-game point streak.
Carels was named captain of Team West for the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he contributed four assists. In the 2024-25 season, he posted points in 60 games, placing him fifth in scoring among rookie defencemen in the WHL. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship with Team Canada, where he recorded one assist in five games.
His international experience also includes winning gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, silver at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Canada Red, and bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Flames’ assessment and future plans
Flames General Manager Craig Conroy expressed satisfaction with the draft pick, describing Carels as a “home run” for the team. Conroy highlighted Carels’ physical play, skating ability, and well-rounded game, emphasizing his competitive nature and team-first attitude. He noted that Carels’ highlights included not only scoring and playmaking but also physical hits, which are an integral part of his game.
The Flames are expected to fly Carels to a development camp within days. Following this, Carels and the organization will need to determine whether he will play a year of college hockey at North Dakota or transition directly to professional play. Carels’ father, Ryan Carels, believes Calgary is a suitable fit for his son, describing it as a youth-focused team that will be convenient for travel.
The Flames also selected another player in the first round. The general manager noted the acquisition of a right-shot centre and a left-shot defenceman, expressing contentment with their choices and the competitive, team-first culture they aim to build.
Carels’ decision to be at home for the draft mirrors that of Brady Martin, the fifth overall pick in the previous year’s draft, who also watched from his family’s farmland in Elora, Ontario. Martin and Carels played together for Team Canada at the World U18 Championship and the World Junior Championship tournaments.
The Carels family has been in the Manitoba area since his great-great-great-grandmother emigrated from Belgium around the turn of the 20th century. Carson’s grandfather, Paul, bought the first part of the current property in 1980.
Source: nhl.com
