The Calgary Flames have selected Victoria Royals standout Cole Reschny with the 18th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, held Friday night at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Reschny, a native of Macklin, Saskatchewan, is coming off a monster season with the Royals, where he racked up 26 goals and 66 assists for 92 points in 62 games — finishing ninth in the WHL in scoring.
Got our guy 😎 pic.twitter.com/Mj1Qqm1krt
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 28, 2025
He added another 25 points in just 11 playoff games, cementing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Reschny said ahead of the draft. “It’s kind of crazy how fast it’s come up. I can’t wait.”
The 5-foot-11 centre is known for his elite hockey IQ, vision, and ability to play a complete 200-foot game. Scouts have praised his tenacity, elusiveness, and quick decision-making with the puck, while Reschny himself admits his skating is a work in progress — something he’s committed to improving.
Cole Reschny has been selected in the 1st round 18th overall by the Calgary Flames!
Congratulations, Cole!#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/49UphDAjki
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) June 28, 2025
“I think I’m very trustworthy,” he said. “I really take a lot of pride in my defensive zone. I don’t cheat.”
Reschny becomes the highest-drafted player in Victoria Royals history.
Off the ice, Reschny brings a grounded, farm-town work ethic with him — a product of his upbringing in a town of 1,200, where he often helped his dad and grandfather on the family farm. “Picking bales, working with animals, helping out — that’s how I grew up.”
Though he’s NHL-bound, Reschny won’t be jumping straight to the pros just yet. He’s committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2025-26 NCAA season, becoming one of the first CHL players to make that leap since a rule change allowed major junior players to retain college eligibility.
“He’s such a sharp young man with a ton of presence. When you get a really good player and person and teammate, that’s a grand slam,” said UND head coach Dane Jackson of Reschny.
Reschny has also shone internationally, helping Canada to gold medals at both the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2025 U-18 World Championship. He was named one of Canada’s top three players at the latter.
With a resume that includes WHL dominance, international success, and a reputation as one of the smartest offensive players in this year’s class, the Flames may have just landed a steal at 18th overall.
“I’m just really grateful for the opportunities I’ve had,” Reschny said. “This is only the beginning.”
