After a banner draft year for the OHL in 2025 that saw nine players drafted in the first
round, including five inside the top 10, 2026 could be another strong year with several
players flashing first-round potential at times throughout the last two seasons. Here’s
how some of the OHL’s top prospects are faring to start the 2025-26 season.
BECKHAM EDWARDS, SARNIA STING
Beckham Edwards is a speedy, versatile centre who plays at a high pace with and
without the puck. He was very effective for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in a depth
role and has carried that strong play over into a great start with Sarnia in the OHL. He’s
a very good skater who displays some good finishing ability and has a strong work ethic
on his own side of the puck, showcasing two-way potential and some special teams
upside at the NHL level.
While he drives strong results for his team on the ice thanks to his high shooting and
work rate, Edwards struggles with making plays under pressure to capitalize on good
scoring chances at times and could develop into more of a complementary forward at
the next level who needs a playmaker to maximize his skillset. Edwards must become
more consistent with his decision making and patience with the puck to prove he has
top six centre potential and cement himself as a prospect worthy of a top 20 pick.
RYAN ROOBROECK, NIAGARA ICEDOGS
Ryan Roobroeck is a physically imposing forward who’s playing a leading role on an
IceDogs team that could challenge for an OHL title this season. He’s got nimble feet for
a forward with such a large frame, escaping traffic and accelerating well thanks to his
agility and stride power. He’s very slippery in the offensive end, finding pockets of space
to release his shot and creating scoring chances consistently by driving to the middle
lane and making strong puck decisions under pressure. His shot and playmaking ability
are both strong suits, making him a dangerous player to give time and space and
someone who can impose his will in high-traffic areas like the low slot thanks to his size
and awareness.
While one of the bigger forwards eligible for the 2026 Draft, Roobroeck doesn’t show a
consistent mean streak or physical edge, instead utilizing his frame to protect the puck
well and get to the net. His engagement away from the puck can also vary from shift to
shift, making him more effective on the wing at this stage of his development. A slow
start to the season has allowed others to challenge his status as the top prospect in the
Ontario region, but Roobroeck’s high-end release and offensive skillset combined with his projectable frame should keep him in the conversation to be a top 10 draft pick in 2026.
BROOKS ROGOWSKI, OSHAWA GENERALS
Brooks Rogowski was a standout for USA at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, playing an
impressive two-way game after being buried in a depth role for Oshawa last season.
He’s carried over that strong play to the OHL early in the year, making a larger scoring
impact for a rebuilding Generals team. He’s a great skater, with long, powerful strides
and the ability to beat defenders on the rush with his top-end speed and long wingspan.
His size and reach allow him to protect the puck very well, with room to add more
strength and make him tougher to knock off the puck or play through physical contact.
His vision is solid, making good reads on quick decisions and setting up scoring
chances with nice passes through traffic to the middle lane.
His finesse and puck control hinder his finishing and ability to cut through traffic to
access the middle of the ice. Improvements in this area are critical to his long-term
scoring upside, as his hulking size and vision would make him a deadly net-front option
as pro, both on the PP and at even strength. As it stands, Rogowski’s unique combo of
size, speed, athleticism, and dexterity make him a strong candidate for a top two round
selection, with first-round upside if he can continue to make gains in his production and
puck handling ability.