Flames Prospects Ethan Wyttenbach and Tyson Gross Earn National Collegiate Honors

Wyttenbach wins Tim Taylor Award, both named NCAA All-Americans

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:05pm

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting depicting the motion and energy of a hockey game, with sharp planes of blue, red, and yellow hues overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The NCAA's top collegiate hockey talent is celebrated through a cubist, geometric interpretation of the sport's fast-paced action.Duluth Today

The NCAA announced several men's hockey awards on Friday, including the Hobey Baker Award. While Max Plante captured that top honor, a pair of Calgary Flames prospects were also recognized - Ethan Wyttenbach received the Tim Taylor Award as the national rookie of the year, and both Wyttenbach and Tyson Gross were named to the NCAA's All-American teams.

Why it matters

The NCAA awards are prestigious honors that showcase the top collegiate hockey talent. For the Flames, having two of their prospects earn these accolades is a positive sign for the team's future, as it indicates the strength of their player development pipeline.

The details

Wyttenbach, a fourth-round pick by the Flames in 2025, led the NCAA in scoring this past season with 25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points. He edged out Gavin McKenna by 8 points to claim the freshman scoring title. Wyttenbach was named a First Team East All-American, while Gross, a Flames free agent signing, was named to the Second Team West All-American squad after a 41-point junior season at St. Cloud State.

  • The NCAA awards were announced on Friday, April 11, 2026 as part of the Frozen Four festivities.

The players

Ethan Wyttenbach

A fourth-round draft pick by the Calgary Flames in 2025, Wyttenbach led the NCAA in scoring this past season as a freshman at Quinnipiac University.

Tyson Gross

A junior at St. Cloud State University, Gross signed a free agent contract with the Calgary Flames after recording 41 points in 36 games this past season.

Max Plante

The winner of the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top NCAA men's hockey player.

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What they’re saying

“These are the final collegiate awards for the 2025-26 season.”

— Ryan Pike, Author

What’s next

Wyttenbach is expected to return to Quinnipiac University for his sophomore season in 2026-27, while Gross has already signed an entry-level contract with the Flames and made his NHL debut this past week.

The takeaway

The Flames' strong pipeline of collegiate talent is on display, with two of their prospects earning prestigious national honors. This bodes well for the team's future as they continue to develop young players through the NCAA ranks.