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Another Calgary Flames player gets an Olympic snub

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Aug 19 2025, 5:50 pm
Another Calgary Flames player gets an Olympic snub
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images

Another big member of the Calgary Flames has been snubbed from orientation camp in preparation for the 2026 Olympics.

Nearly three weeks ago, Canada released their orientation camp roster, which included 42 skaters, 26 of whom were forwards. While MacKenzie Weegar was included on the list, Nazem Kadri was left off, which left the 34-year-old quite perplexed.

The Flames’ snubs list doesn’t end there, as the U.S. released their 44-man camp roster this morning. That roster includes four goalies, none of whom were Calder Trophy runner-up Dustin Wolf. Instead, they’ve gone with Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, and Joey Daccord.

Of those four goalies listed, the only one to have a better statistical season than Wolf in 2024-25 was Hellebuyck, who wound up winning the Hart Trophy as well as his second-straight Vezina. While he is the presumed starter, there is an argument to be made that Wolf is more than deserving of backup or third-string duties.

Wolf is coming off a rookie season that saw him put up a 29-16-8 record, along with a 2.64 GAA and a .910 SV% in 53 appearances. He also finished sixth amongst all NHL goalies with a 15.68 goals saved above average (GSAA), and seventh in goals saved above expected (GSAx) at 26.38.

The one thing working against Wolf in this conversation is his lack of experience. Hellebuyck, Oettinger, and Swayman are all established veterans, while Daccord — the surprise invite on the list — has played 126 career NHL games to Wolf’s 71.

Being looked past is nothing new for Wolf, who has had to prove himself constantly throughout his career. The 24-year-old wasn’t selected until 214th overall in the 2019 draft, and spent three seasons dominating in the AHL before earning a full-time role with the Flames in 2024-25.

Not being a part of this upcoming orientation camp should only serve as more motivation as Wolf continues looking to prove his detractors wrong going forward.

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