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 2,500-acre working farm, located just under 100 miles west of Winnipeg, surrounded by approximately 70 loved ones.
The announcement of his selection was made by Cole Waldie, the Prince George Cougars broadcaster, rather than directly by Commissioner Gary Bettman. Carels expressed his excitement, stating, “I think I’m still shaking right now, honestly,” before speaking with Flames general manager Craig Conroy.
Carels’ father, Ryan Carels, described Calgary as a suitable destination, noting it is a youth-focused team that will be convenient for travel. The family farm, where Carels grew up raising goats and currently has over 500 cows, played a significant role in shaping his work ethic, a quality he attributes to his upbringing.
Carels’ on-ice performance and scouting report
Carels recorded 73 points in 58 games for the Prince George Cougars, marking the second-highest point total by a defenceman in the team’s history for a single season. He finished tied for fourth in scoring among all blueliners in the WHL, a season that included a 17-game point streak, which was tied for the fourth-longest by any player in the WHL during the 2025-26 season. During the WHL playoffs, he added points in 10 games.
In the 2024-25 season, Carels posted points in 60 games, placing him fifth in scoring among rookie defencemen in the WHL. He was also named captain of Team West for the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he contributed four assists.
NHL Central Scouting described Carels as a unique, all-around defenceman with offensive talent and a physical presence, who also plays sound defensively. He is noted for his ability to play significant minutes in all situations, including running a powerplay. His skating, mobility, and agility are highlighted, along with his skill in puck transportation and distribution, which drives offense.
GM Craig Conroy praised Carels’ competitive nature and well-rounded game, noting his physicality and strong skating. Conroy emphasized Carels’ team-first mentality and continuous drive to improve, stating, “When Carels became available for us, it’s a home run for us.”
Carels has also represented Team Canada, earning a bronze medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he recorded points in 5 games. He was the fifth-youngest defenceman to play for Team Canada at this tournament. Additionally, he won 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’ other first-round selection
The Flames also selected a right-shot centre in the first round, though the specific pick number was not detailed in the provided information. This player posted points in 59 games during the 2025-26 season, finishing tenth in assists and fifteenth in league scoring in the USHL. This performance helped the Youngstown Phantoms achieve their highest point total in franchise history and finish atop the league.
In the 2024-25 season, the centre tallied points in 53 games, ranking fourth among players age 16 or younger in points and second in assists across the USHL. He won gold with Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he was second on the team in scoring with points in 5 games. He also secured gold at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge, contributing points in 4 games.
This player is committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season. NHL Central Scouting described him as a tough and skilled centre capable of creating offense for himself and his teammates. He plays a two-way game, is responsible in all three zones, and creates and finishes scoring chances through his positioning and quick shot release. Conroy highlighted his competitiveness, saying, “He does everything well. Right-shot centre, he plays hard on the inside. He does all the little things you need to do to win games.”
The Flames’ general manager expressed satisfaction with both first-round selections, noting their competitiveness and work ethic. He stated, “We’re super excited. A right-shot centre, a left-shot D. Couldn’t be more happy with what we did. And the two players that we got… The (competitiveness), the work ethic… it’s all about team-first for both guys and that we’re trying to build here, that culture. They’re going to fit in perfectly.”
Following the draft, Carels will be flown to development camp within days, where he and the organization will determine whether he will play a year of college hockey at North Dakota or turn professional immediately.
A family legacy and community pride
The Carels family has deep roots in the Cypress River area, with Carson’s great-great-great-grandmother emigrating from Belgium to Manitoba around the turn of the 20th century. His grandfather, Paul Carels, purchased the first part of the current family property in 1980. Ryan and Stacy Carels built their current home when Carson was two years old. The area is often referred to as “Carels’ country” due to the numerous relatives living within a 20-mile radius of the farm.
The family farm, which transitioned from dairy to beef cattle seven years ago, currently houses around 800 cows, including mothers, heifers, and steers, along with 150 goats and chickens. Carels is actively involved in farm work, including moving cows and hand-feeding baby goats. This upbringing has instilled a strong work ethic, a trait valued by NHL scouts who often prefer players with a background in physical labour.
During a road game in February, Carels’ Western Hockey League team, the Prince George Cougars, made a detour to his home in Cypress River. Head coach and general manager Mark Lamb noted Carels’ excitement to show off his home, especially after missing Christmas for the World Junior Championships. This visit highlighted the strong connection Carels maintains with his roots.
The decision by Carels to celebrate the draft at his family farm mirrors that of Brady Martin, the fifth overall pick in the previous year’s draft by the Nashville Predators, 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 celebration at the Carels farm continued into the night, with the number of attendees rivaling the population of the nearest town centre, which is 175 according to the Cypress River and Area Foundation.
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Source: nhl.com
