1. Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna

McKenna is one of the best playmakers to enter the draft in years and continues to solidify himself as the premier talent in this class. His offensive IQ is ridiculous and his ability to manipulate defenders feels very similar stylistically to Nikita Kucherov.

I asked Gavin who he modeled his game after, Gavin said Nikita Kucherov and here is why:

“We both see the ice pretty similarly, we have the ability to slow the game down and speed it up.”

What makes him even more dangerous is how complete his game has become. His stick detail defensively is underrated and his “B game” has improved dramatically over the last year.

Toronto would immediately gain another superstar level offensive creator. Auston Matthews gives Toronto elite scoring. Gavin McKenna gives them an offensive engine.

2. San Jose Sharks — Ivar Stenberg

People are going to debate defense here, but San Jose should simply take the elite winger.

Stenberg projects as a dynamic top six forward with incredible puck skill and creativity. The Sharks already possess additional assets and flexibility to address defense later. They own the Oilers pick 20th overall and could target Ryan Lin, Juho Piiparenen or LHD Malte Gustafsson.

The Sharks don’t need to add another elite offensive talent, but you take best player available and figure it out later.

3. Vancouver Canucks — Caleb Malhotra

This feels like a perfect fit.

The Manny Malhotra connection matters, but beyond that, Caleb Malhotra simply plays the style Vancouver covets. He projects as a complete two way center with top six upside and one of the safest floors in the class.

He competes relentlessly, impacts every shift and continues to improve offensively. He has a great motor paired with the hands, pro level shot, passing ability, vision and high hockey IQ.

Caleb Malhotra told me that he models his game after Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron. He also worked on his shot to take it to the next level.

4. Chicago Blackhawks — Chase Reid

Chicago could move this pick, but if they stay put, Chase Reid makes a ton of sense.

He’s an offensive defenseman with top pairing upside, power play potential and much better defensive detail than people realize. Reid has size, mobility and offensive instincts that NHL teams covet.

The Blackhawks continue adding skill to their blue line.

Chase Reid models his game after Zach Werenski here is why:

“Very good on the blueline, very good defensively, good stick. Move very good on the offensive blueline and shuts players down and transitions fast.”

Chase Reid on an underrated aspect of his game:

“The defensive side of my game. I think its come a long way.”

5. New York Rangers — Keaton Verhoeff

Verhoeff is 6’4” with offensive upside and good physical tools. His NCAA transition exposed some decision making inconsistencies, but he’s still incredibly young and teams will bet on the upside.

The Rangers add another high ceiling defenseman to their system which will be a necessity if and when they move on from Adam Fox. They could restock their organization in a massive way if they decided their rebuild would be a little longer than expected.

Keaton Verhoeff models his game after:

“Drew Doughty…Thomas Harley. Big Canadian defenseman. Two way player, reliable in the d zone. Can create offense. Coaches obviously trust him in all situations.”

Keaton Verhoeff on an underrated aspect of his game that goes overlooked:

“My skating… A spot a lot of people criticize on me… My ability to have that smooth skating up and down the ice, being able to retrieve pucks and kind of transition plays quickly.”

6. Calgary Flames — Carson Carels

Carels feels like a player Calgary would absolutely love.

He’s smooth, intelligent and projects as a modern transition defenseman. Calgary continues building around high end young talent and Carels would fit perfectly into that long term core.

Carson Carels models his game after Jake Sanderson & Miro Heiskanen because “they are great skaters and two way players.”

Carels is a 6’2 two way defenseman with strong mobility & sound overall game. He is a great skater, efficient and able to recover quickly. He has the ability to be a minutes muncher in the NHL for a long time.

7. Seattle Kraken — Alberts Smits

Seattle hasn’t prioritized defense enough in recent years and this is where the defensive run really starts. Albert Smits has been playing pro in Finland and Germany this year and looked good at the World Junior Championship and Olympics for Latvia.

Smits continues climbing boards and NHL teams love his long term projection. The Kraken add another foundational piece on the backend. Great physicality, athletic, heavy shot, good passer and has a lot of NHL ready traits.

Alberts Smits said he doesn’t model his game after anyone. Love the kind of personality he has.

8. Winnipeg Jets — Tynan Lawrence

Winnipeg Jets can go in a multitude of different directions here. In this Mock Draft they bring in Tynan Lawrence who brings potential top six center upside with strong defensive detail and positional intelligence. Winnipeg values complete players and Lawrence fits that mold extremely well.

On my interview with Tynan Lawrence alongside my guest star co host Nathan Grav, Tynan said he could be a:

“Very reliable center on both ends of the ice, not a guy who is all just there for points, that’s one of the main reasons I have had success in the past is because I don’t cheat and take pride in the little details.”

Both Tynan and his head coach Colten St. Claire at Muskegon when Tynan played there said that Tynan plays like Macklin Celebrini and can shutdown top opposing forwards.

9. Florida Panthers — Viggo Björck

Florida doesn’t need to force organizational fit here. They can simply swing for upside.

Björck arguably possesses the highest offensive ceiling at this spot and Florida is talented enough organizationally to take that type of gamble.

Viggo Bjorck modeled his game after Sidney Crosby. I talked to his Sweden teammate Victor Eklund and he said Viggo is like a Celebrini out there. Victor Eklund later mentioned:

“I feel safe when he is out there. So strong and tough.”

Viggo Bjorck is 5’9” but he is tough to push off pucks and is not afraid to get into the dirty areas. He also has an incredible high hockey IQ, a great shot, natural playmaker, elite vision and is good defensively.

10. Nashville Predators — Ethan Belchetz

Nashville continues prioritizing heavier, harder to play against hockey.

Belchetz is 6’5”, physical and creates chaos offensively. He brings a playoff style identity while still maintaining offensive upside. Good playmaker that will elevate his linemates and work in the dirty areas.

He modeled his game after the Tkachuk brothers and Jamie Benn. Steven Ellis said Belchetz creates “havoc in front of the net.”

11. St. Louis Blues — Daxon Rudolph

6’2” Daxon Rudolph is one of the more exciting offensive right handed defensemen in the class.

He sees the ice exceptionally well, processes quickly and consistently creates offense from the backend. St. Louis adds another puck moving defenseman with top four upside.

Daxon Rudolph models his game after Drew Doughty and wants to be a two way defenseman. He doesn’t cheat the game, does not do anything that will harm his team. Smart player with good discipline and the skill to be a great defenseman for a long time.

The question on his draft slot is whether he will become a top pair defenseman if he reaches his full potential or a top four defenseman with upside. Either way, great underrated RHD in this class.

12. New Jersey Devils — Oscar Hemming

The Devils continue looking for size up front and Hemming gives them exactly that.

He projects as a bigger forward with scoring touch and fits well within New Jersey’s long term offensive structure.

Oscar Hemming was the youngest player in the NCAA this year and has underrated creativity when he has the puck on his stick. This is a player that has the 6’4” size, creates chaos in front of the net and will compete hard.

13. New York Islanders — Ryan Lin

Ryan Lin would fit beautifully beside the defensive core the Islanders are building.

A right shot defenseman with offensive instincts and mobility, Lin gives New York another high end backend piece.

Ryan Lin’s knock is that he is sub 6 foot, but he is built especially in his quads and lower half. He is a good skater, has great balance and is tough to get pushed off by bigger players.

His skill set is so enticing because he is a great playmaker, has offensive ability and the playmaking to run a power play unit.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets — Wyatt Cullen

Columbus continues betting on upside.

Wyatt Cullen has continued climbing and feels like exactly the type of projection swing the Blue Jackets would take. Their drafting philosophy has consistently leaned aggressive in recent years.

The 6’2” versatile forward is still growing and his game exploded at the right time. He has a ton of upside, and if he develops correctly he can be a top 10 pick in a redraft in a few years.

15. St. Louis Blues — Maddox Dagenais

If St. Louis walked away with Daxon Rudolph and Maddox Dagenais, they would be thrilled.

Dagenais plays a heavy game and throws some of the best reverse hits in the class. He fits the Blues identity perfectly.

Maddox Dagenais is a big forward who competes well and is extremely hard to push off pucks because he will reverse hit anyone. He has the offensive skillset and the all around game to be a really good player in the NHL.

His father Pierre Dagenais played 142 games in the NHL with the Canadiens, Devils and Panthers.

16. Washington Capitals — Nikita Klepov

Washington has never been afraid to draft Russian players and they continue prioritizing offensive upside.

The Capitals have quietly drafted extremely well recently and Klepov would give them another high skill offensive piece to build around long term.

Nikita Klepov played defense growing up but his offensive skillset is his best asset. He has become an offensive dynamo and once he is on, he is hard to stop.

He grew up watching Nikita Kucherov.

By Jean-François Rioux Head Goalie Scout for Draft Prospects Hockey

Danai Shaiikov
Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL

In this series, instead of simply pitching the goalie with the top numbers, I’ll highlight one
goalie prospect who stood out to me in my viewings in the last month.

In his first 4 starts since moving to North America, Danai Shaiikov caught my attention early
in my viewings. His speed and agility in the crease were evident, as he covered ground well,
reset quickly to position after initial shots and showed a high compete level. He started the
year strong with 3 wins and posting a 2.05 GAA and .912 Sv%.

Strengths
His lateral movement and ability to reset after a shot are among his most reliable
tools in his positioning. He gave himself a chance on rebound opportunities and
scrambles. He stayed very active in his crease making quick and crisp adjustments
to set him up square to the puck.He also challenges shooters, cuts angles, and
doesn’t shy off his crease. That mindset can force shooters into uncomfortable looks
with rare free space to place the puck.

danai shaiikov

Weaknesses
His aggressive style sometimes comes at a cost: he can lose track of precise angles
or let gaps open up, particularly on tight or deceptive plays, complicating his save
selection. Also, his strong pushes when sliding make him overcommit on some plays,
so the recovery can be difficult, even with above average speed and quickness.

Projection & Potential
I see Shaiikov as an overager draftable prospect for the 2026 draft as he has the athletic
profile and size to draw NHL interest. I’ll be following him up all season to see his
progression in identified weaknesses, more notably if his aggressiveness can be balanced
with more structural discipline.

By Jean-François Rioux Draft Prospects Hockeys Head Goalie Scout

Vladimir Selivanov
2025-19-09 Dynamo Moscow 1 @ MHK Spartak 3 (MHL)
Selivanov is a goalie who blends strong technique with athleticism. He generates excellent
power on his pushes, allowing him to arrive on angle and challenge shooters effectively. He
rarely sets up late or off-balance. His positioning and puck tracking are both excellent, and
he follows pucks into his body closely, making him very difficult to beat without a screen or
lateral movement. However, I noticed a decline in focus and consistency when defensive-
zone sequences dragged on and fatigue set in. At that point, Selivanov began giving up
more dangerous rebounds and looked less sharp on recoveries. That being said, his overall
skill set is nearly complete, and he should be considered among the early favorites to top
preliminary goalie lists for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Danai Shaiikov
2025-19-09 Gatineau 5 @ Val-d’Or 3 (QMJHL)
Shaiikov, a DY+1 goalie prospect, was a player I was eager to watch since his arrival in
North America, and he did not disappoint. His speed immediately stood out. Quick on his
feet, he covers ground well within his crease, and in this viewing his recovery skills looked
elite. His quickness allowed him to reset his angles after the first shot with ease. Shaiikov is
also a very active goalie who likes to challenge shooters. His feet and hands are constantly
moving, whether he is upright or in the butterfly. However, that aggressiveness and constant
activity sometimes left him vulnerable, as he occasionally lost control of his angles and
seals, leading to goals against. In my opinion, with consistency this year, he could generate
interest from NHL scouts. With his speed and quickness, he has the tools to be a candidate
as an overager for the 2026 draft.

Frantisek Poletin
2025-12-09 Pelicans 5 @ Ilves U20 4 SO (U20 Finland)
Poletin is a technically sound goalie who relies on positioning more than raw speed. He
consistently stays on angle when tracking plays in the defensive zone and on rushes. He
manages rebounds effectively, which limits the need for difficult recoveries. While his post-
shot recoveries are technically well-executed, he lacks the explosiveness that could elevate
his overall game. One area of concern is his upper-body work. His butterfly is tight and his
low-shot tracking is strong, but he struggles more on high shots, especially glove side. His
left hand tends to sit low and away from his body at knee height, which slows his reaction
time. Poletin has many of the technical strengths to make him an intriguing 2026 draft option,
but to rise in the rankings he will need to show more quickness and refine his tracking on
higher shots.

Marek Skenlicka

2025-20-09 Tri-City 3 @ Seattle 6 (WHL)
Skenlicka is a goalie with a strong combination of size and speed. Using his 6-foot-4 frame
to his advantage, he positions himself well and stays on angle with the puck. His speed is
impressive for a goalie of his size. His pushes are crisp, and he transitions smoothly from
RVH or butterfly into set positioning. That skill allows him to recover quickly after shots or
broken plays in front of him. While his crease work was impressive overall, two concerns
stood out. First, I felt he could have been more aggressive in his positioning. At times, he
stayed too deep in the blue paint rather than challenging shooters. Given his size,
squareness, and recovery ability, he has the tools to play more assertively. Second, he
struggled with rebound control on low shots, leaving too many loose pucks in dangerous
areas. To his credit, his strong tracking often allowed him to cover those rebounds quickly.
With his size, technique, and speed, Skenlicka is one of the most intriguing goalie prospects
for the 2026 draft.

Dmitri Borichev
2025-26-09 Yaroslavl 1 @ Mamonty 2 (MHL)
Borichev is a powerful goalie with a commanding presence in the crease. His lower-body
strength makes him one of the most explosive goalies in this draft class. His first
pushes,whether standing or from the butterfly, are extremely strong, allowing him to set
quickly for shooters. His puck tracking projects as potentially elite, as he rarely lost sight of
the puck. In this viewing, he handled rebounds and loose pucks cleanly, avoiding chaotic or
desperate movements. However, his mechanics on recoveries and post-save movements
need refinement. His speed to regain square positioning, upper-body structure, and hand
placement while moving or sliding were inconsistent. These mechanical issues can be
addressed with development and shouldn’t hold him back too much, especially if his tracking
and rebound control remain in the elite tier.

Ryder Fetterolf
2025-26-09 Ottawa 2 @ North Bay 1 (OHL)
Fetterolf is a smaller goalie, but one who makes up for it with his overall fluidity while
moving. His movements are crisp and decisive, whether skating on his feet or sliding in the
butterfly. His speed in this viewing was above average, but he struggled with rebound
control. Pucks often hit him hard, and he had difficulty absorbing them cleanly. He also
tended to lose edge early and rely heavily on his butterfly. While this approach allowed him
to seal the lower net effectively, it left him vulnerable on higher shots which is a particular
concern given his smaller frame. Fetterolf will remain on my radar, but I’ll be looking for
growth in his overall game to justify a mid-round projection in the 2026 draft.

Vladislav Yermolenko
2025-19-09 Niagara 1 @ Brampton 4 (OHL)

Yermolenko’s defining trait is his hockey IQ. Every paths he takes in the crease seemed
calculated and based on his reads. He consistently performed shoulder checks to identify
threats in the zone, allowing him to plan his movements and arrive on angle without relying
excessively on raw explosiveness. His glove hand was also impressive, catching pucks
cleanly and without hesitation. That said, there are technical flaws in his game. His RVH
seals are inconsistent, leaving gaps that shooters can exploit, which cost him a goal in this
game. His T-pushes were also inefficient; rather than a clean, single push across the crease,
he often used two smaller pushes, which slowed him down. Yermolenko’s intelligence will
generate interest, but some of his mechanics could hold him back, as NHL teams place a
premium on those skills. I’ll be following his development closely, as improvement in those
areas could make him a more complete prospect.

Edmonton Oil Kings 5 at Brandon Wheat Kings 0 October 4^th, 2025

Scouting Report by Cory Hume

Joe Iginla #21 Edmonton Oil Kings – August 13, 2008 – R shot RW. 5’10/174

Iginla is a smaller skilled winger who plays with some edge. He has quick hands and distributes pucks in tight spaces. He reads the ice well in the offensive zone and finds open holes in prime scoring areas. He drives net and stick is always on the ice. He is not afraid to get to the hard parts of the ice and mix it up. Joe was inconsistent in battles along the wall. He needs to get stronger on his stick and put himself in better positioning to not lose battles. His foot speed will need work, especially rushing the puck. To play at the next level Joe will need to be more consistent away from the puck and work on his foot speed.

Skating: 5

Shooting: 6

Hockey IQ: 6

Physicality: 4

Defensive awareness: 5

Playmaking: 6

Puck Skills: 7

DEAN, Dylan #14 Edmonton Oil Kings – May 14, 2008. Left shot right wing. 6.01 / 179

Dean is a big body forward who uses his speed and size to create space with and without the puck. He showed confidence carrying pucks through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone, protecting it with his frame and keeping his feet moving. He is hard on his fore check and has good reads. He was a good net front presence on the PP and held his ground. Was in spots to shoot pucks but looked to pass the puck off. As the game went on his work ethic and consistency dropped off. Dean has tools to be an effective bottom 6 player at the next level.

Skating: 6

Shooting: 4

Hockey IQ: 6

Physicality: 6

Defensive awareness: 5

Playmaking: 5

Puck Skills: 5

Parker Snell #80 Edmonton Oil Kings – April 21 2008 G L -6’2/173

Snell had a calming presence through out the game. He is a positional goalie with size and tracks pucks well. Challenges shooters with confidence, arms out, toes up. He was active playing pucks, decision making under pressure lead to a turnover. Rebounds did end up in middle ice off the pads. He did not face many high danger chances tonight.

Skating: 6

Net Coverage: 7

Quickness: 6

Rebound Control: 4

Play reading/Anticipation: 7

Technique: 6

Poise:7

Puck Handling: 4

Jimmy Egan #21 Brandon Wheat Kings – March 18, 2008 C L – 6’1/185 – Egan was the best forward tonight for the Wheat Kings. He has a very good stick and uses it to win battles along the wall and take away pucks defending the rush. His positional play is strong and is rarely caught in bad spots. He supports in all three zones and jumps on loose pucks. His gap control was great and did not give up space. Egan has a good release but lacks accuracy. He had a regular shift on the PK.

Skating: 6

Shooting: 4

Hockey IQ: 7

Physicality: 5

Defensive awareness: 7

Playmaking: 6

Puck Skills: 5

September 26th, 2025: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4 vs Shawinigan Cataractes 1

Draft Prospects Hockey Scout Tyler  Ballesteros-Willard

#72 D, Xavier Villeneuve

Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 157 lbs

Shoots: Left

DOB: September 29, 2007

Overview:

When it comes to the future of blueliners from the QMJHL, look no further than Xavier Villeneuve. Xavier is an electrifying offensive-minded defenseman with great agility and dazzling puck-handling abilities up the rush, showing significant potential for the 2026 NHL draft as a 1st round pick. Known for his tremendous confidence in carrying the puck and reading the offensive zone, Villeneuve brings a unique flair to the back end for the Armada as even though he is quite the risk taker, he is excellent at understanding when to take risks for the team’s own good. When looking at offensive defensemen, Villeneuve does an excellent job at utilizing his shot as much as he can to cause havoc, or even score. However, his small size limits his effectiveness in physical battles in the corners as, and he’ll need to add a lot of strength to succeed at the NHL level because even though the league has many smaller players now, the league is now is as physical as ever and he will need to get ready to endure long 82 game seasons.  

Player Projection

Ceiling: First Pair Offensive Defenseman 

Floor: Top-4/5 Offensive Defenseman, PP QB. (If not, unlikely NHL shot)

Special Teams: PP1 Quarterback

Production Outlook: 55–65 Points

Pick Range: Mid 1st Round

Strengths:

• Skating and Edgework: Villeneuve’s agility is elite, with quick pivots and tight turns.
• Puck Skills and Passing: Soft hands make his passing smooth and effective, supporting his offensive style. 
• Offensive Awareness: Villeneuve has the confidence and vision to be quite the quarterback from the blue line in any scenario (Not even on the powerplay).

Weaknesses:

• Physicality and Balance: Building strength is an absolute must for him to him to be more durable.
• Defensive positioning and decision making with the puck in his own end. 
• Discipline: Needs to be mindful of how he possesses himself, especially how he handles external factors.

In-game observations: 

• At the quarter mark of the 1st, in his own end, where it seemed like he was slightly out of position, he made it up due to his rapid footwork, which then allowed him to accurately poke the puck away.
• Just passed the ¼ mark of the 2nd, Xavier took advantage at the o-zone blueline which led to him crisply feeding his teammate Lemieux which gave him an assist on the 2nd goal.
• Sequence: Moments later after 2nd Armada goal, he backchecked hard, winning his race and puck possession back in his own end. This led to him generating a lot of momentum with the puck, and where he could have cut to his backhand, he tried doing too much by beating 2 guys at once.
• Start of the 3rd, showed great confidence carrying the puck at high speed, transitioned and maintained offensive zone pressure with ease.
• Displayed great anticipation with the puck quarterbacking the blueline in the offensive zone, led to the opposition guessing every time what Villeneuve was going to do.
• Moments throughout this stage that he would lose balance or battles due to the lack of strength. As a result, many can push him around when he isn’t paying attention.

Skater Ratings:

• Skating: 7
• Puck Skill: 7
• Scoring Ability: 5
• Playmaking Ability: 7
• Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
• Character: 5
• Physicality: 3
• Defensive Play: 4

#15 D, Bo Damphousse

Team: Armada Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL

Height/Weight 6’1”, 180Ibs

Shoots: Right

DOB: October 21st, 2007

Overview:

Bo Damphousse is a well-rounded defenseman for the Armada, known for his strong skating, stick positioning, and defensive awareness. His standout skills include excellent puck control, actively defensive stickwork defending the rush, and displaying excellent one-on-one defense, particularly in rush situations. While his backward skating and stride offer power, he needs to improve acceleration. His passing, especially on breakouts, is truly a key asset to offensive game due to how great the transition of play it becomes; however, his shooting accuracy needs quite a bit of work in order for decently offensive chances to come his way due to the fact he shoots high. He is physically pretty solid, Damphousse plays responsibly but could improve his physicality in some areas, like boxing out opponents in-front of the net. Projected as a late 1st round pick to early 2nd round in the 2026 NHL Draft, he has the potential to be a top-pairing or elite 3-4 mobile shutdown defenseman with high end penalty-killing traits with a straight hockey mind playing the game in a simple way, but the right.

Player Projection

Ceiling: 4-5 Puck Moving Defenseman 

Floor: 7th D

Special Teams: PK2

Production Outlook: 20-25~ Points

Pick Range: Mid 3rd Round-4th Round

Strengths:

• Defensive Play: Extremely strong in positioning, stickwork, and defending the rush, making him difficult to beat in one-on-one situations.
• Passing: A strong passer, particularly on breakouts, with the ability to make accurate and quick passes under pressure.
• Skating: Smooth backward skating and solid stride extensions, giving him the ability to transition effectively on the ice.

Weaknesses:

• Shooting: Needs to improve accuracy and intelligence on his shots, particularly from long-range.
• Physicality: Could be more consistent in using his body to box out opponents and prevent screens.
• Positional Awareness: Although plays square when defending the rush, he does chase the puck carrier on many occasions in his own end.

In-game observations: 

• Though wasn’t credited an assist on 1st Armada goal, Bo showed great offensive engagement as he first joined the rush, he then showed the mentality to shoot. Although it was blocked, what matters is his confidence growing in the o-zone.
• Displayed great anticipation/poise with the puck in his own end as the late stages of the 1st saw him spin back smoothly away from the opposition and then he showcased his crisp passing ability.
• In the 2nd period, in his own end throughout, did a good job playing zone coverage, which led to him intercepting a few passes then crisply breaking the puck out.
• Many occasions seen in the game where Bo would do a good job when pinning the opposition along the boards along with having an accurate stick, but he would then chase the puck carrier which would open a ton of space down low in the slot.
• Throughout this game, showcased an active and accurate stick in his own end.

Skater Ratings:

• Skating: 6
• Puck Skill: 4
• Scoring Ability: 3
• Playmaking Ability: 5
• Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
• Character: 5
• Physicality: 5
• Defensive Play: 7

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#11 F, Matt Gosselin

Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL

Height/Weight: 5’7”, 168Ibs

Shoots: Right

DOB February 14th, 2006

Overview:

Matt Gosselin is a high-motor, two-way center known for his defensive reliability, strong positioning, and relentless compete level. Though undersized, he compensates with explosive edgework and smart support play in all zones, frequently aiding breakouts and engaging in puck battles through timing and anticipation rather than physical strength. Offensively, he plays a simple game—his shot lacks power, but he generates chances through smart positioning, rebound creation, and crisp, accurate passing. However, he struggles with puck control under pressure and can rush decisions, particularly when space tightens. On the power play, he’s learning to exploit soft coverage areas but must focus on consistently putting pucks on net rather than aiming for perfection. Defensively, he truly excels on the penalty kill with strong gap control, fearless shot blocking, and disciplined reads. His compete level stands out every shift, consistently backchecking hard and sacrificing his body when needed. What really helps out his defensive play mentioned earlier is his explosive edges. Although he does not get the most power from his stride, his quick footwork allows him to explode quickly in order to win puck battles.

Player Projection

Ceiling: NHL Bottom-6 / Penalty Kill Specialist

Floor: AHL Top 6 Forward
Special Teams: PK
Production Outlook: 15–25 Point Energy Forward
Pick Range: Undrafted Free Agent

Strengths:

• Versatility: Acts as a great sponge for his teammates. All over the place/always involved in the play.
• Defensive Awareness: Consistently positions himself well and disrupts plays with interceptions and shot blocks.
• Compete Level: Willingness to do anything for the team (Blocking shots, getting involved hard in puck battles)

Weaknesses:

• Shooting Consistency: Needs to improve his mechanics to develop more power, most importantly, his mentality of getting shots on goal and not overly perfecting it yet.
• Size: Although great involvement on the forecheck, he gets muscled off very easily.
• Consistency in puck skills: Although showcases great 1-on-1 ability against the goaltender, he needs to be crisper with his hand movement when controlling the puck on the rush.

In-game Observations:

• Play sequence at 8-min mark of 1st: Matt in his own zone is doing a good job staying square in positioning when it came to his “point zone” coverage. As of result, this led to Matt easily being able to pick up the puck and carry it at a high pace up the rush. This led to sustained o-zone pressure as of result for Armada.
• Just passed the halfway mark of the 1st, just as he missed the pass from Desjardins, he still remains pressure soundly. This led to a loose puck which Gosselin decided to turn on the jets and give himself a breakaway. Although he didn’t score, he created a PP for Armada.
• Throughout the times that he shot in this game, although quick hand rotation, there was lack of emphasis of using his hips which resulted in his shots not being powerful.

NOTE: He will really need to get stronger if he wants a key shot at the NHL Level.

Skater Ratings:

• Skating: 6.5
• Puck Skill: 4.5
• Scoring Ability: 4.5
• Playmaking Ability: 4.5
• Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
• Character: 7
• Physicality: 4
• Defensive Play: 7

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#72 F, Chad Lygitsakos

Team: Shawinigan Chataraques, QMJHL

Height/Weight: 5’8”, 168Ibs

Shoots: Left

DOB January 21st, 2008

Overview:

Chad Lygitsakos is a high-motor, playmaking center known for his persistence, strong positioning, and compete level. Though undersized, he compensates with explosive edgework and smart support play in all zones, frequently aiding breakouts and engaging in puck battles through timing and anticipation rather than physical strength. Offensively, he plays a creative game—his shot lacks power, though he does a great job getting the puck off in a hurry due to quick hand rotation. Where the power needs to come in is that he will need to add more strength to his overall game. On the power play, he’s excellent at exploiting coverage in the o-zone. This is due to his soft hands and how he can thread the needle. What he will need to work on however is his poise as he does need to be more patient and controlled with the puck. Defensively, although he isn’t a dynamo when it comes to sacrificing the body, he is reliable when it comes to his positioning. His compete level stands out every shift, consistently backchecking hard and sacrificing his body when needed. What really helps out his defensive play is his explosive edgework. Although he does not get the most power from his stride, his quick footwork allows him to explode quickly in order to win puck battles. With refinement in full leg extension, and increase in lower core strength, this will also provide Chad the balance that he needs to withstand checks.

Player Projection

Ceiling: NHL Middle-6 Scoring Forward

Floor: AHL Top 6 Forward
Special Teams: PK
Production Outlook: 30–40 Point Energy Forward
Pick Range: 6th-7th Round

Strengths:

• Versatility: Acts as a great sponge for his teammates. All over the place/always involved in the play.
• Defensive Awareness: Consistently positions himself well and disrupts plays with interceptions and shot blocks.
• Compete Level: Willingness to do anything for the team (Blocking shots, getting involved hard in puck battles)

Weaknesses:

• Shot Power: Needs to grow muscle to develop more power, most importantly, his mentality of getting shots on goal and not overly perfecting it yet.
• Size/Strength: Although great involvement on the forecheck, he gets muscled off very easily.
• Consistency in playmaking/Poise: Although showcases soft hands to make smooth saucer passes, needs to be mindful of not forcing a pass.

In-game Observations:

• After serving his 1st period out in the box, he came out like a box of fire, first backchecking hard for Shawinigan to possess the puck. He then carried it on the rush and with his edgework, was able to slip around the opposing defender and then slip a pass into the top of the slot.
• Many times, throughout this game, because he doesn’t have the power in his rapid legs along the corners, the bigger players immediately take advantage of Chad, as of result, he loses his puck battles and possession.
• Passed ¾ mark of the 1st, because he was playing where he was supposed to, he took advantage of a turnover. He did make the right play in surprising Milota with a cross-crease pass but Chad’s linemate couldn’t put it home.
• In the halfway mark of the 3rd period, stayed in position very well, which led to him receiving a cross-ice breakout pass. He then walked into the zone and let a very quick snapshot, Milota made the save.

NOTE: He will really need to get stronger if he wants a key shot at the NHL Level.

Skater Ratings:

• Skating: 6.5
• Puck Skill: 4.5
• Scoring Ability: 4.5
• Playmaking Ability: 5
• Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
• Character: 7
• Physicality: 4
• Defensive Play: 7

September 20, 2025 Peterborough Petes 1 vs Brantford Bulldogs 5 (OHL) at TD Civic Centre

By Zach Morris who is an Editorial Manager for Draft Prospects Hockey

#16 LW Adam Novotný, Peterborough Petes (OHL), 6’1” 204lbs, L, DOB 11.13.2007

Adam Novotný is a steady, well-rounded winger who plays a reliable game, although he was fairly quiet for the Petes in this one. He showcased some flashes of his skill and potential in small spurts that ultimately didn’t amount to anything substantial. His skating is a strong asset; he moves fluidly, uses crossovers well to generate speed, and has enough pace to challenge defenders wide or keep pressure on the forecheck. While not a burner, his stride is efficient, helping him sustain tempo throughout shifts. Offensively, Novotný shows the most confidence as a distributor. His vision, particularly on the power play, allows him to identify gaps and make clean passes under pressure. He is not shy about carrying the puck into traffic and can execute possession plays in tight areas. His shot is serviceable and accurate enough to finish opportunities, though it lacks the deceptive release or raw power of more natural goal scorers. He looked more comfortable as a secondary scoring option who complements more dynamic linemates rather than driving offence on his own. Defensively, he uses his size and long reach to close off passing lanes and apply pressure along the boards. He is positionally sound and demonstrated good habits in his own zone, though his physical game is somewhat inconsistent. At times, he can separate opponents from the puck effectively, but he does not consistently impose himself physically. Continued development in this area, paired with his reliable stick work, would make him a more impactful two-way presence. Novotný projects as a middle-six winger who can be trusted in multiple situations, including special teams. His skating, vision, and all-around responsibility give him a safe floor as a supportive player who contributes secondary offence while not being a defensive liability. His style of play resembles that of Alex Killorn, a versatile forward who complements skill with dependable two-way play and provides consistent, though unspectacular, offensive production.

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7.5

Speed/Pace: 7 

Puck Skill: 7

Scoring Ability: 6.5 

Playmaking Ability: 7  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 7

Character: 6

Physicality: 5

Defensive Play: 6

#22 LW Aiden O’Donnell, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), 6’1” 172lbs, L, DOB 01.03.2008 

Aiden O’Donnell is a quick, opportunistic winger who displayed a good mix of pace, vision, and defensive awareness throughout the game. He brings good length and an effective reach, though he will need to continue filling out his frame to maximize his effectiveness against heavier opponents. His skating is smooth and allows him to get up to speed quickly, which he uses effectively on the forecheck and penalty kill. Which was on full display throughout the game as he was consistently making an impact. With strong anticipation skills, he often positioned himself to break up plays, and his ability to pressure defenders led to turnovers. One of his most notable tools is his quick shot. He has an extremely quick release and showed he is capable of beating goaltenders clean when given space. He also showed flashes of net-front presence on the power play, willing to battle for positioning and create screens. While he can move the puck adequately and shows vision, his offensive game currently leans more toward shooting than playmaking. Continued development in his puck skills and passing touch will help diversify his attack and make him less predictable in the offensive zone. Defensively, O’Donnell shines with his active stick and willingness to pressure opponents. On the penalty kill, he read plays well, intercepted passes, and forced mistakes that can quickly turn into counterattack opportunities. He showed that he can be counted on for tough situations. The main area for growth lies in his physical game, as he was outmuscled in puck battles and will need added strength to consistently win board play. O’Donnell projects as a bottom-six energy winger who can bring penalty-kill value, apply pressure on the forecheck, and chip in secondary scoring. With continued development, particularly if his offensive tools round out further, he has the potential to grow into a middle-six contributor. His playing style is reminiscent of Blake Coleman, a responsible two-way winger who uses speed, anticipation, and work ethic to make an impact in all game states while contributing timely goals. Although he lacks the grit that Coleman brings.

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 7 

Puck Skill: 6.5 

Scoring Ability: 7 

Playmaking Ability: 6  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 7

Character: 6.5

Physicality: 5

Defensive Play: 7

#24 RW Cooper Dennis, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), 5’7” 160lbs, R, DOB 05.07.2007

Cooper Dennis is a small but dynamic winger who thrived on pace and skill. He relied heavily on his skating and puck control to create space and generate offense. He is a fast skater who accelerates quickly, uses crossovers to build speed through the neutral zone, and employs strong stop-start ability to evade defenders. His edgework, pivots, and turns are polished, allowing him to change direction fluidly and maintain possession under pressure. He is comfortable carrying the puck at full speed, showing solid stickhandling ability that makes him a threat in transition. Offensively, he blends quick hands with a sharp wrist shot that can surprise goaltenders when released in stride. He demonstrates good vision in the offensive zone and is capable of finding open teammates on the power play, though his passing touch is less refined than his shooting. He leans more toward being a shooter than a natural playmaker, and at this stage, his decision-making can be inconsistent under duress. His combination of pace, puck skill, and awareness makes him a capable offensive contributor who can shine when given time and space. Defensively, he competes but is limited by his size and strength. His positioning and awareness were adequate, but his lack of physical presence made it difficult for him to consistently win battles along the boards or in net-front areas. Adding muscle to his frame will be key if he wants to be more effective without the puck at higher levels. While he may never be a shutdown forward, he has the speed and intelligence to become serviceable defensively, particularly on the forecheck where his quickness allows him to pressure opponents. He projects as a depth winger whose speed, quick shot, and offensive instincts could help him get him a role as a situational scoring threat and secondary contributor on the power play. His style of play is reminiscent of Conor Garland, an undersized but energetic winger who uses quickness, vision, and strong offensive instincts to offset his lack of size while still finding ways to impact games at the NHL level.

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7.5

Speed/Pace: 7.5 

Puck Skill: 7

Scoring Ability: 6.5 

Playmaking Ability: 6  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 6

Character: 6

Physicality: 5

Defensive Play: 5

#77 D Ben Radley, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), 6’0” 170lbs, L, DOB 07.29.2007

Radley is a steady, two-way defenseman who relied on vision, awareness, and positioning to make an impact at both ends of the ice during the game. His skating is adequate, with smooth pivots and decent acceleration, though not explosive. He can be beat by faster skaters but his defensive awareness and positioning allows him to stay in plays. He is more effective with his mobility in short spaces, where his pivots and agility allow him to adjust to attacking forwards, cut off lanes, and maintain defensive gaps. While he doesn’t carry elite footspeed, his ability to anticipate and position himself compensates for this limitation. Offensively, he plays a calm, structured game and is most effective as a facilitator. He has strong vision from the blue line and showed he is capable of quarterbacking a power play, moving the puck crisply to his teammates and keeping plays alive with timely decisions. His puck skills are functional but not flashy, as he focuses more on distribution and maintaining puck movement than individual creativity. His game is built on efficiency and consistency in keeping plays flowing. Defensively, he demonstrated his best attributes. He read developing plays well, kept himself in good position, and showed the discipline to stay engaged without overcommitting. On the penalty kill, he was reliable, using his reach to block cross-ice passing lanes and sacrificing his body to get into shooting lanes. While not overly physical, he did not shy away from contact and engaged in board battles, using leverage and stick positioning to separate players from the puck. He projects as a steady bottom-pair defenseman with the upside to develop into a reliable second-pair role if his offensive continues to grow. His ability to quarterback a power play, paired with his defensive awareness and penalty-kill contributions, makes him a versatile option for a coaching staff. His game is reminiscent of Erik Cernak, a dependable two-way defenseman who provides stability, shot blocking, and understated puck movement rather than dynamic offense.

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 6.5

Speed/Pace: 6.5 

Puck Skill: 6

Scoring Ability: 5 

Playmaking Ability: 6.5  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 7

Character: 7

Physicality: 6.5

Defensive Play: 7.5

#91 C Luca Testa, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), 6’1” 184lbs, L, DOB 04.10.2006

Testa is an offensive-minded center who blended speed, strength on the puck, and creativity to generate chances. His skating allowed him to play the game with pace. He accelerated quickly and was able to use that speed to create separation, both in transition and off the rush. He was particularly dangerous when given space to attack defenders one-on-one, using his balance, puck protection, and quick hands to drive toward the net. His ability to fend off defenders while maintaining puck control was highlighted by a memorable breakaway goal in which he used his off-hand to hold off pressure before finishing with a one-handed backhand tuck. Offensively, he brings a well-rounded toolkit. He possesses a strong wrist shot with quick release, a capable backhand, and the creativity to score in multiple ways. His vision is another asset, as he identifies options quickly and can make strong passes to set up teammates. He can be a line driver at his best, pushing pace and keeping defenders on their heels. His puck skills and confidence with the puck allowed him to hold possession under pressure and create opportunities even in tight areas. However, his decision-making and discipline remain areas for improvement. His hockey sense is inconsistent, as he can make high-skill plays in one sequence but make careless plays in another. A late hit that resulted in an unnecessary penalty demonstrated the risk. He needs to refine his judgment and ensure his aggressiveness does not become a liability. Defensively, he can be disengaged at times, showing less commitment to backchecking and zone coverage than expected for a center. With improved consistency and focus without the puck, he could become a more trusted all-situations player. He projects as a middle-six center with offensive upside, capable of driving play with speed and creativity while contributing on the power play. If he can hone in his decision-making and round out his defensive habits, his ceiling rises further. His style of play resembles Dylan Strome, an offensively skilled center who thrives when given space and confidence but requires structure and discipline to maximize his impact at the NHL level. Although his ceiling is much lower. 

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 7.5

Puck Skill: 7.5

Scoring Ability: 7.5 

Playmaking Ability: 7  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 5

Character: 6

Physicality: 6.5

Defensive Play: 5

Bill Zonnon is the type of player every coach wants and every team needs. A versatile offensive threat
with the ability to play center in all situations, Zonnon’s skillset is very translatable towards the NHL
when it comes to using his size, making himself more dangerous. With high-end vision, and a knack for
getting involved in the dirty areas while using his creativity, he stands out as one of the most complete
forwards in the 2025 NHL Draft class. 

What separates Zonnon from many of his peers isn’t just his physical tools, though his smooth hands,
and reliability in all situations are undeniable. It’s his hockey sense and vision in what makes him very
dangerous, especially when he plays the net-front. Whether it’s threading a pass in tight spaces or
anticipating pressure, Zonnon makes the game crisper and easier for his teammates to transition.

Maintaining a high compete level is a key main stay of Zonnon’s game. When asked about being
competitive in activities, he responded “I was really competitive at recess during school, whether it was
dodgeball or ball hockey.” He also mentioned “Even in gym class, I was so competitive to the point
where I started screaming in class and started getting in trouble because of it”.

When asked about building the perfect player, Bill said the following:
“Hockey IQ, I’d say between two guys, either Sidney Crosby or Nikita Kucherov. Skating, I have to go with
Connor McDavid. Shot I have to go with Auston Matthews since he reinvented the way of shooting the
puck with the use of his quick toe-drag release. Physicality, I really like watching Brady Tkachuk.”

When asked about his favorite part of the game, Bill emphasizes about enjoying the high
competitiveness along with working hard with his teammates. He stated “Obviously on the offensive
side that I love to score, and on the defensive end, I enjoy blocking shots as well.”
When asked about how he prepares for a big game, he provided his routine for game days. Part of his
routine involves listening to music, but most importantly, getting into the “flow state” which gets him to
his calmest point.

How? “I started meditating last year and I became very close with our mental performance coach, and
this was a suggestion he made be because he felt like it could really help me stay calm and though I was
too hard on myself.”

His sports GOAT I asked? Immediate response of Bill’s was Michael Jordan. He expresses his sadness
about not being able to watch him, but after watching “The Last Dance” he really liked him.
Where his character truly showed was what he would do with the Stanley Cup. What he said, is this:
“For me to come back to my roots, come back to the rink where I started playing at and show it to them.
I would participate in pop ups for the fans if they wanted to take pictures but most importantly to spend
my time with my friends but mainly my family after everything, they have done for me”.

When asked about his future after a 15–20-year NHL career, would he rather be a general manager or a
coach. He said, “I would rather be a coach since a GM, there are a lot of tasks involved such as taking
phone calls but truly take care of the team on a large scale. For a coach, it’s about taking of mainly your
players.”

When asked about where he would see himself in 5-years, he brought up just playing pro at first and not
putting too much pressure on himself. He stated that he obviously wants to make it to the NHL, but truly
playing pro would be a huge accomplishment.

What’s his favourite part about playing in-front of the Huskies fans? “Just how passionate they are. They
are so loud every single night, it’s a small city in Rouyn so they closely follow the team, there’s a big
media coverage here and its fun to be a part of that”.

Written by Tyler Willard Ballesteros, Interview by TheProspectDon

Jacob Rombach – Towering Talent with First-Round Potential
By TheProspectDon

Jacob Rombach stands out the moment he steps on the ice, literally. At 6’6”, the left-handed defenseman has size, poise, and the kind of raw potential that has NHL scouts paying close attention. Committed to the University of Minnesota, he’ll be joining fellow towering blueliner Maceo Philips with the Golden Gophers. The two are close friends, and I had the chance to catch up with both at the NHL Scouting Combine.

Rombach comes across as remarkably grounded for a player with his tools. He has a quiet confidence and deep appreciation for his development journey. As my friend and scout Sebastian High put it: “His retrieval game is one of the best among D in this class.” When I asked Jacob what’s helped him excel in that area, he credited his coaches:

“Working with my coaches from Spring Lake Park and now Lincoln with our D coach Art Bray. We did a lot of retrievals and skill drills—making sure you get the two shoulder checks. We always say you try to get one, but if you can get two, it increases the retrieval rate by like 50 percent. So yeah, just getting your shoulder checks so then you can see everything behind you.”

When asked for an NHL player comparison, Jacob named Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei:

“Yep, Brady Skjei. I’d say we both are pretty similar.”

His five-year plan reflects his focus and humility:

“Obviously go to Minnesota for three years, then make it to the AHL and hopefully NHL by the end of the five years. But if that happens a little later, I’d be cool with that.”

He also has a clear passion for staying involved in the game long-term:

“I’d want to be a coach. I’ve actually thought about that. If I didn’t make it to the NHL, I’d either want to coach or go into sales, I’m into that too.”

And to his fans?

“Just thank you for all the support. Keep supporting me over the next couple of years on my journey, hopefully to the NHL someday.”

I’ve spoken to dozens of NHL draft prospects this year, and Jacob Rombach left one of the strongest impressions. He’s a thoughtful, driven, and genuinely kind young man. His combination of elite defensive instincts, massive reach, and off ice character makes him a strong candidate to sneak into the first round. The Golden Gophers landed a gem following Sam Rinzel, and with Rombach and Philips patrolling the blue line, Minnesota’s future on defense looks rock solid.

Jacob Rombach to me could be a surprising pick to be drafted in the first round. With his size, skill and upside I think he could be a really great defender in the NHL and am excited to see where this bright and humble young man will land.