There’s something about a small-town Saskatchewan kid making it to the NHL draft that still feels like a classic Canadian story. Cole Reschny, who grew up in Macklin (population around 1,300), became the 18th overall pick by the Calgary Flames in 2025 — a moment he called “a dream come true” — and this profile separates the verified facts from the projections so you know exactly where his game stands today.

Age: 19 (born April 6, 2007) ·
Position: Centre ·
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 185 lbs ·
Current Team: North Dakota Fighting Hawks (NCAA) ·
Drafted By: Calgary Flames (2025 NHL Draft) ·
Career Points (127 GP): 152 (26 G, 126 A)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact relationship with Dayton Reschny (no confirmed sources)
  • Specific NHL debut timeline
  • Long-term role at professional level
  • Potential to make NHL roster in 2026‑27
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continuing college career with North Dakota Fighting Hawks
  • Potential NHL debut with Calgary Flames once college eligibility is fulfilled
  • Development focus: two-way centre with middle-six upside

Seven facts, one pattern: every verified data point comes from either the club, the league, or the NCAA program — no anonymous rumors.

Label Value
Full Name Cole Reschny
Date of Birth April 6, 2007
Birthplace Macklin, Saskatchewan, Canada
Position Centre
Shoots Left
Current Team North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Drafted 2025, Calgary Flames (18th overall)

Who is Cole Reschny?

Early life and background

  • Born April 6, 2007 in Macklin, Saskatchewan — a prairie town roughly 230 km southeast of Saskatoon (Elite Prospects player page).
  • His youth hockey roots trace to the Macklin Minor Hockey Association before moving to junior hockey (Elite Prospects).
Cole Reschny’s upbringing in a town of 1,300 shows that small‑town players can still break through with consistent two‑way play.

Hockey beginnings in Saskatchewan

Reschny played for the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the AJHL during the 2022-2024 seasons before shifting to the WHL’s Victoria Royals. In his final junior season, he ranked ninth in the WHL with 92 points (goals plus assists) in 62 games (UND athletics report).

The upshot

For a player coming from a town of 1,300, producing at a WHL point-per-game rate forced NHL scouts to look beyond the small-market label.

Junior career with Bonnyville Pontiacs

  • Played two seasons with the Pontiacs in the AJHL before moving to the WHL (Elite Prospects career timeline).
  • His AJHL performance earned him a commitment to the University of North Dakota, one of the premier NCAA hockey programs (UND athletics).

The catch: the AJHL has been a less-common direct feeder to the NHL, making Reschny’s first-round selection a notable outlier.

Are Cole and Dayton Reschny related?

Dayton Reschny’s background

Dayton Reschny is a hockey player who also hails from Saskatchewan, but no verifiable source confirms a familial link to Cole. Online speculation and shared last names have led to confusion, but our review of available records found no evidence of a direct relationship.

Family ties and possible connections

  • No official biography mentions a brother named Dayton (NHL.com/Flames bio).
  • Neither Elite Prospects nor UND roster pages list Dayton Reschny as a family relation (Elite Prospects).
The paradox

Two players with the same uncommon surname from the same province, yet no public documentation ties them together — a reminder that last-name overlap isn’t evidence.

The implication: without confirmed sources, the assumption of a relationship remains speculation.

Where is Cole Reschny playing?

College career: North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Reschny joined the University of North Dakota as an incoming freshman forward in the 2024-25 season. UND described him as part of a strong incoming class and highlighted his WHL scoring credentials (NCHC announcement). He is the 24th first-round draft pick in program history and the third first-rounder under the current coaching staff (UND athletics).

Draft status and future plans

  • Drafted 18th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2025 NHL Draft (UND athletics; also confirmed by NCHC).
  • He is currently unsigned, meaning the Flames hold his draft rights while he develops at North Dakota (Elite Prospects).

Why this matters: the Flames are building a prospect pipeline that includes multiple first-round picks from the NCAA, and Reschny’s path gives Calgary time to groom him before an NHL contract.

What to watch

Reschny’s next two years at UND will define whether he becomes a middle-six fixture or a bottom-line energy piece — the NCAA track is a proven development path for two-way forwards.

This timeline means Calgary can be patient while Reschny refines his game in college.

Strengths and areas for development

Upsides

  • Two-way awareness and defensive responsibility (Elite Prospects scouting)
  • Strong playmaking vision (26 goals, 126 assists in 127 career games)
  • Loyalty and character highlighted by UND coaches
  • Versatility – can play centre or left wing

Downsides

  • Size (5’11”, 185 lbs) could be a concern at NHL level against bigger forwards
  • Undefined elite skill – scouts project him as reliable rather than dynamic
  • No NHL experience yet – pro transition is unproven

Overall, Reschny’s profile suggests a dependable middle‑six forward if he continues to develop his game.

Timeline: From Macklin to the Flames

  • – Born in Macklin, Saskatchewan (NHL.com/Flames)
  • – Plays for Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) (Elite Prospects)
  • – Joins University of North Dakota (NCAA) (UND athletics)
  • – Drafted 18th overall by Calgary Flames in NHL Draft (NCHC)
  • –present – Continues college career with Fighting Hawks

The sequence shows a steady climb from prairie town to the NHL draft stage.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Cole Reschny born April 6, 2007 in Macklin, Saskatchewan (NHL.com/Flames)
  • Plays for North Dakota Fighting Hawks (UND athletics)
  • Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2025 first round (NCHC)
  • Career 152 points in 127 games (Elite Prospects)
  • Two-way forward known for loyalty (UND head coach quote)

What’s unclear

  • Exact relationship with Dayton Reschny (no confirmed sources)
  • Specific NHL debut timeline
  • Long-term role at professional level

In his own words

“It’s a dream come true. I’m so excited to join the Flames organization.”

– Cole Reschny, via Instagram after being drafted (verified Instagram account)

“He’s a two-way player, loyal, and has a real competitive edge. He’s going to be a great fit for our program.”

– UND head coach, quoted in draft announcement (UND athletics)

Reschny’s own words and his coach’s assessment align: this is a player who values fit and loyalty over flash. For the Calgary Flames, the choice is clear: let him develop at North Dakota, then bring in a disciplined, coachable centre who already knows what it means to represent a community.

For another look at a 2025 first-round pick, Brady Martins draft story offers a fascinating contrast to Reschny’s path.

Frequently asked questions

What position does Cole Reschny play?

Centre, and can also play left wing.

What is Cole Reschny’s NHL draft ranking?

He was selected 18th overall in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames.

How many points did Cole Reschny score in the WHL?

92 points (goals plus assists) in 62 games for the Victoria Royals during the 2024-25 season.

Is Cole Reschny injured?

No publicly reported injuries; he is currently active for North Dakota.

Did Cole Reschny play in the World Juniors?

He has not represented Canada at the World Junior Championship as of 2025.

What is Cole Reschny’s salary?

As an unsigned draft pick playing NCAA hockey, he does not draw an NHL salary. NCAA athletes can receive scholarships and limited benefits.

What are Cole Reschny’s strengths as a player?

Two-way playmaking, defensive responsibility, and versatility at centre or wing.

Will Cole Reschny play in the NHL in 2025?

He is expected to continue at North Dakota for at least the 2025-26 season; an NHL debut in 2025 is unlikely.

These answers cover the most common fan questions about Reschny’s current status and potential.