It will likely be a few years before forward prospect Theo Stockselius is ready to push for a roster spot with the Flames, but this could certainly change his projected ETA in the Stampede City.
The Calgary Hitmen raised eyebrows with Friday’s announcement that they have acquired the CHL rights to Stockselius — a second-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft — from the Seattle Thunderbirds.
The 18-year-old centre is currently playing at home in Sweden and although he plans to remain with Djurgardens for now, this presents an intriguing option for the future. It’s safe to say that the Hitmen wouldn’t have bothered with the swap if they weren’t optimistic that he would eventually be willing to join them.
Hitmen general manager Garry Davidson offered a sizable haul to the Thunderbirds — a fourth-round holler in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft, plus a hat-trick of conditional picks. One of those is a first-rounder.
Stockselius has piled up seven points — all assists — in five appearances this season for Djurgardens in Sweden’s J-20 league. He is also on the radar to potentially represent his country at the world juniors.
The Flames have high hopes for this up-and-coming lefty, although they realize they’ll need to be patient as he adds bulk to his 6-foot-3, 193-pound frame.
“Just his overall package, I think that’s what we really like about him,” Flames GM Craig Conroy told Postmedia for a summer feature. “He’s smart, good hockey sense. He sees the ice well, makes plays, chips in offensively. He has it all, and he is still young.
“As his body fills out, with the skill he has with his hands and the way he sees the ice, we’re really excited about him.”
For Conroy & Co., it would be a bonus if they could monitor his progress in their own backyard.
The Hitmen, off to a 2-1-0 start and back in action Saturday in Medicine Hat, currently have one Flames prospect on their roster. That is defenceman Axel Hurtig, who was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and is now in his second WHL campaign.