The Calgary Flames may have uncovered a hidden gem in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Forward prospect Ethan Wyttenbach is not just adapting to the NCAA—he's dominating it, currently leading all freshmen in scoring for the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
A Rookie Setting Lofty Goals
Selected 145th overall last summer, the 18-year-old winger has exploded onto the collegiate scene. Through 22 games, Wyttenbach has racked up an impressive 31 points, tying him for third in the entire NCAA scoring race. His average of 1.41 points per game is the highest among the nine freshmen averaging over a point per game.
This prolific output is no accident. Before the season, during a development call with Flames director of player development Ray Edwards, Wyttenbach boldly requested his goals be set at 20 goals and 20 assists. "I was like, 'Really?!? That seems a little lofty,'" Edwards recalled. With 12 goals already and his next assist marking number 20, Wyttenbach is not just on track—he's ahead of schedule.
Chasing a Prestigious Award
With his early success, Wyttenbach has set his sights on a major individual honour: the Tim Taylor Award, given to the NCAA's top freshman. This award has been a proven stepping stone to NHL stardom, with recent winners including Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, and 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
"My goal is to win freshman of the year," Wyttenbach declared in January 2026. "That’s something I kind of have my eyes set on. I’m obviously in the mix right now, but a strong second half is pretty important to stay in that race." His performance has certainly put him in the conversation for the Calder Trophy equivalent.
Outshining Higher-Profile Picks
What makes Wyttenbach's story more compelling is how his numbers stack up against other highly-touted prospects. He is outscoring Flames' first-round selection Cole Reschny (1.11 points per game at the University of North Dakota) and even 2025 WHL sensation Gavin McKenna (1.05 points per game).
While it's crucial to temper expectations—Wyttenbach is not projected to be a "one-and-done" player and his path to the NHL remains a multi-year journey—his immediate impact is undeniable. He has quickly become the most exciting story in the Flames' prospect pipeline, transforming from a fifth-round long shot into a potential draft-day steal.
The young forward's combination of confidence, goal-setting, and on-ice production suggests the Flames' scouting department might have identified a significant talent deep in the draft. All eyes will be on Wyttenbach as he aims to maintain his scoring pace and solidify his case for the Tim Taylor Award through the second half of the NCAA season.
