After hearing his name called in the first round by the Calgary Flames, Hextall is preparing for his freshman season at Michigan State, where he’ll look to continue building the hard-nosed, two-way game that made him such an appealing prospect.

The second cousin of former NHL goaltender Ron Hextall, Jack Hextall built his own case with a point-per-game breakout. Calgary made him its second first-round selection at 30th overall after he posted 20 goals and 38 assists for the Youngstown Phantoms, a 24-point jump that helped the club to a franchise-record season. Hextall wins with motor and connection rather than flash. He supports the puck, drives possession with quick and efficient decisions, and consistently finds teammates in advantageous spots, the traits that translate because they do not lean on physical advantages. He also handled both center and wing, which sharpened his reads at the middle. The growth area is strength: he wins battles now through positioning and anticipation, but older competition will test a frame that still needs filling out.

Hextall was selected 30th overall by the Flames, the teams second selection of the draft. Hextall goes to a team loaded to the brim with scoring prospects. This will give Hextall plenty on time to develop and he has the smarts to make the NHL.

2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Jack Hextall (C)

Jack Hextall:Projection: Middle 6 ForwardStrengths: Compete, Playmaking, Puck controlWeaknesses: Strength of competition, Physicality Analysis:Jack Hextall doesn’t know what it means to quit. He is relentless andconsistently giving it his all on the ice. He plays with a level ofcare and competitiveness that not many players have. Without the puck,he does whatever it takes to regain possession or provide histeammates with another option to pass to. With the puck, he hasexceptional stickhandling, vision, and passing, which makes him alethal power play or transition player. He is also a great skater, sochasing after opponents or barreling towards loose pucks comes easilyto him. In all honesty, I really like his game and see him as anexcellent, well-rounded, versatile middle 6 forward. My concern for Jack has nothing to do with his play at all, but morewith the players he plays against. Playing in the USHL, thecompetition isn’t as high as the CHL or NCAA, so to do what he isdoing in the USHL is still impressive, but it would be much moreimpressive in a harder league. That gives me worries that if he isn’textremely dominant in the USHL, how easily would it be for him totranslate his game and style to a harder or even professional league?Next year, when he is playing for Michigan State, if he has very goodnumbers and plays well there, whatever team picks him could have avery promising player on their hands. I also wish he could be morephysical and have better body positioning along the walls, but again,that’s something to work more on in harder leagues.

“He competes relentlessly, plays with an edge, forechecks aggressively, and consistently brings energy every shift,” per Victor Nuno’s on July 11. “Players with this profile often become valuable culture pieces and trusted playoff contributors because they influence games through effort, physicality, and responsibility rather than scoring alone.”

His relentless work ethic and willingness to play in difficult areas should continue serving him well as he begins his collegiate career and works toward earning a professional opportunity.

For fantasy, Hextall is a multi-category, connected center rather than a high-end point source, the kind of profile that accrues value across categories. He heads to Michigan State this fall into a deep forward group, and how his game holds while he adds strength is the development that sets his timeline. He is a patient dynasty hold.