DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Author: Gord Susinski

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Alexander Bilecki (LD)

    Alexander Bilecki:

    Description: Offensive defenseman


    Strengths: Bilecki is a mobile, offensively inclined defenseman who plays with pace and confidence. His skating ability stands out, allowing him to close space quickly, recover efficiently, and contribute effectively in transition. A crafty puck mover, he shows strong instincts jumping into the play and times his pinches well to sustain offensive zone pressure. Defensively, he utilizes an active stick to disrupt passing lanes and break up plays before they develop.


    Opportunities: Improving the consistency and accuracy of his first pass will help elevate his puck management and transition game. Adding more physical engagement and assertiveness in the defensive zone would also strengthen his overall effectiveness, particularly in net front battles and board play.

    Skating: 6/10

    Shooting: 5/10

    Playmaking: 6/10

    Defense: 5/10

    Compete: 6/10

    Hockey IQ: 6/10

    Projection: Projects as a middle four defenseman with offensive upside and is currently viewed as a potential 3rd round selection, around 84th overall.

  • Game Report – Everett Silvertips 3 vs Kelowna Rockets 4 OT – April 15th, 2026

    Game Report – April 15th, 2026

    Everett Silvertips 3 vs Kelowna Rockets 4 OT

    Venue: Prospera Place

    Brek Liske. #42 Everett Silvertips. January 9, 2008. Right shot defenseman. 6.02 / 187

    Description: Above-average sized, two-way defenseman with a reliable, steady presence.

    Strengths: Skates well with solid edge work, allowing him to maintain positioning and close gaps effectively. Moves the puck efficiently, highlighted by crisp, accurate first passes out of the zone. Owns a good shot with a quick release, making him a secondary threat from the point. Defensively, he’s intelligent and composed—uses body positioning and an active stick to disrupt plays and limit opponents’ time and space. Competes hard along the boards and shows consistency on the penalty kill. Offensively, he leans more toward playmaking than finishing, contributing through puck distribution rather than goal scoring.

    Opportunity: Needs to add strength to better win physical battles and more consistently separate opponents from the puck. Could play with greater urgency in transition to help move the puck up ice faster. At times, forces risky passes in high-danger areas, particularly in front of his own net.

    Projection: 4th Round, 115th overall — projects as a reliable middle-pair (top 4) defenseman.

  • Game Report – Saskatoon Blades 3 vs Edmonton Oil Kings 2 OT – April 6th, 2026

    Game Report – April 6th, 2026

    Saskatoon Blades 3 VS Edmonton Oil Kings 4 OT

    Venue: Rogers Place

    Zac Olsen. #9 Saskatoon Blades. March 16, 2008. Right shot right wing. 6.01 / 196

    Description: Above-average sized, two-way power forward who produces offensively at a steady rate.

    Strengths: Hard-nosed winger who consistently creates disruption in and around the net. Establishes strong body position, provides effective screens, and willingly battles in high-traffic areas. Drives the net with intent and finishes checks to wear down opposing defenders. Skates well for his size with above-average speed and solid edge work, allowing him to impact play across all three zones. Competes hard along the boards and wins his share of puck battles. Possesses a reliable shot and adds value on the power play, particularly with his net-front presence. Plays with an edge that brings a physical dimension to his overall game.

    Opportunities: Can improve consistency away from the puck, particularly with defensive positioning and anticipation. Continued development of touch and playmaking ability in tight areas would help elevate his offensive ceiling. Needs to process and move pucks quicker to avoid unnecessary turnovers.

    Projection: Late 2nd round (approximately 60th overall). Projects as a middle-six right winger with a power-forward presence.  

    Cooper Williams. #16 Saskatoon Blades. February 18, 2008. Left shot centre. 6.00 / 166.

    Description: Average-sized, skilled two-way forward with high-end scoring ability.

    Strengths: Strong skater with good pace and smooth edge work, allowing him to navigate effectively in all three zones. Handles the puck well and moves it efficiently in transition. Displays reliable defensive zone coverage and awareness. Owns a quality shot that makes him a legitimate scoring threat.

    Opportunities: Needs to add strength to better handle physical pressure, as he can be knocked off pucks too easily. Improving puck protection will help him maintain possession and create more consistent offense.

    Projection: 3rd round (approximately 84th overall). Projects as a middle-six centre.

  • Game Report – Medicine Hat Tigers 5 vs Regina Pats 4 – April 4th, 2026

    Game Report – April 4th, 2026

    Medicine Hat Tigers 5 VS Regina Pats 4

    Venue: Co-op Place

    Markus Ruck. #26 Medicine Hat Tigers. February 21, 2008, Left shot left wing. 6.00 / 168.

    Description: Above-average sized offensive forward with high-end offensive upside.

    Strengths: Highly intelligent offensive player with strong hockey IQ and reliable puck skills. Displays good hands and above-average playmaking ability, consistently creating quality scoring chances for teammates. Contributes effectively on both special teams—adds value on the power play while also serving as a dependable option on the penalty kill. Finds quiet ice around the net & shows strong net-front presence, and times his positioning well to generate opportunities. Owns a quick release. Competes hard, and uses his body effectively to protect pucks and extend possession.

    Opportunities: Needs to continue refining his defensive zone play and bring more consistent effort and detail away from the puck.

    Projection: 2nd round — 52nd overall. Projects as a middle-six forward.

    Liam Ruck. #12 Medicine Hat Tigers. February 21, 2026, Right shot right wing. 6.00 / 176

    Description: Above-average sized, highly skilled forward with elite offensive ability.

    Strengths: Explosive skater with excellent acceleration, quickness, and top-end speed. Strong edge work allows him to create separation and consistently evade pressure. Moves the puck efficiently and thrives in quick, one-touch sequences that keep the pace of play high. Displays outstanding vision and awareness, regularly identifying and executing plays to teammates in prime scoring areas. High-end hockey IQ and natural offensive instincts make him a constant threat. Dangerous on the power play and also impacts the penalty kill, where he presents a legitimate shorthanded scoring threat. Owns a finishing touch that places him among the top goal scorers observed. Shows strong instincts around the net and capitalizes on opportunities.

    Opportunities: Needs to continue adding strength and become more effective in physical battles and contested areas.

    Projection: 2nd round — 36th overall. Projects as a middle-six forward.

  • Carson Carels Scouting Report

    Carson Carels. #4 Prince George Cougars. June 23, 2008. Left shot defenseman. 6.02/194

    Description: Above-average size, highly skilled offensive defenseman with strong playmaking and scoring ability.

    Strengths: Elite mobility defines his game. He is a smooth skater with strong edge work and top-end speed, making him difficult to contain once he builds momentum. He moves the puck efficiently, using a quick and intelligent first pass to exit the zone cleanly. Uses his frame effectively to separate opponents from the puck and steer attackers to the outside. Distributes well in the offensive zone, creating quality one-timer opportunities for teammates. Possesses a heavy shot and isn’t hesitant to jump into the rush or drive the net. Engages physically and finishes checks. A reliable penalty killer with an active stick that disrupts passing lanes and breaks up plays. Accurate passer, blocks shots, and shows strong puck patience with consistent execution on his first pass. Gets pucks through to the net from the point. Constantly moving and finding open ice. Shifty and effective on the power play.

    Opportunities: Needs to tighten gap control and step up sooner in transition against better players, as he can give attackers too much time and space.  Should continue to develop his skating to further improve overall speed.

    Projection: First round, 7th overall selection. Projects as a top-four defenseman.

  • Tobias Tomik Scouting Report

    Tobias Tomik: Vancouver Giants #13. Left shot left wing. 6.01/190

    Description: Offensive forward
    Strengths: Strong on his skates and difficult to knock off the puck. Competes hard along the boards and uses his body well to protect possession. Skates well with good speed and moves the puck quickly and accurately. Will finish checks when the opportunity presents itself. Shows solid overall offensive ability and can contribute consistently in the offensive zone.

    Opportunity: Would benefit from using a more active stick in the defensive zone and maintaining consistent foot movement away from the puck. Could become a more effective backchecker by keeping his feet moving and staying engaged through the full length of the ice.

    Projection: 3rd round, approximately 96th overall. Watch list.

    Skating: 7

    Puck Skills: 5

    IQ: 5

    Physical Play: 6

    D-zone: 6

  • Mathis Preston Scouting Report

    Mathis Preston: Vancouver Giants #96. Right shot right wing. 5’11/176lbs

    Description: Skilled forward

    Strengths: Highly effective at anticipating the flow of play and finding lanes to get pucks through traffic to the net. Possesses a quick, accurate release and shows strong competitiveness along the boards, frequently recovering pucks even after initially losing possession. Willingly absorbs contact to complete plays and quickly re-engages in the battle. Displays quick feet, good overall speed, and shifty puck-handling ability. Keeps his feet moving, stays involved in the play, and consistently finds soft areas of open ice. Contributes effectively on the power play.

    Opportunity: Defensive-zone awareness and puck management. Needs to reduce the number of no-look or blind passes under pressure in the defensive zone.

    Projection: 1st round, approximately 20th overall. Projects as a middle-six forward with power-play utility.

    Skating: 7

    Puck Skills: 7

    IQ: 6

    Physical Play: 5

    D-zone: 6

  • Liam & Markus Ruck Scouting Profiles

    Liam Ruck: Medicine Hat Tigers #12, February 21, 2008, right shot right wing. 6.00/176

    Description: Skilled forward

    Strengths: Explosive acceleration with very good quickness and top-end speed. Displays strong edge work that allows him to create separation and evade pressure. Moves the puck efficiently and excels in quick one-touch puck movements that keep plays flowing. Demonstrates exceptional vision and awareness, consistently finding teammates in scoring areas. High hockey IQ with strong offensive instincts. A dangerous weapon on the power play. Among the top 10% of goal scorers observed, with a proven ability to finish chances.

    Opportunity: Needs to continue adding strength and become more effective in physical situations.

    Projection: 2nd round — 37th overall  projection.

    Skating: 6

    Puck skills: 6

    IQ: 6

    Physical play: 4

    D-zone: 4

    Marcus Ruck: Medicine Hat Tigers #26. February 21, 2008, left shot centre, 6.00/168

    Description: Offensive forward

    Strengths: Smart offensive player with good hockey IQ and solid puck skills. Shows decent hands and strong playmaking ability, consistently finding teammates in scoring positions. Effective on both special teams, contributing on the power play while also being a reliable penalty killer. Moves quietly and effectively around the net to find open ice and scoring opportunities. Possesses a quick release and has been among the top 10% of goal scorers observed this season.

    Opportunity: Needs to continue improving his defensive zone play and overall consistency without the puck.

    Projection: 3rd round — 68th overall.

    Skating: 5

    Puck skills: 6

    IQ: 5

    Physical play: 5

    D-zone: 4

  • Tyus Sparks Game Report Victoria (3) @ Seattle (4)


    Tyus Sparks    . #88 Spokane Chiefs. January 4, 2008. Right shot right wing. 5.11/182

    Description: Two-Way Offensive Forward.

    Strengths: Highly skilled puck distributor who moves the puck with pace and precision. Displays elite-level vision and passing ability, consistently delivering accurate feeds through traffic and onto the tape. Shows strong puck control and handling skills in tight areas. Defensively responsible, using an active stick to disrupt plays and quickly regain possession in the defensive zone. Applies consistent pressure with a high-tempo forecheck. A legitimate power-play threat, particularly from the faceoff circle where he is a one-time option.

    Opportunities: Needs to further develop his physical game to enhance effectiveness in contested areas. Adding strength and playing with more edge will improve puck battles, net-front presence, and overall durability.

    Projection: 147th overall selection.

    Skating 5

    Pucks kills 6

    IQ 6

    Physical play 3

    D-zone 6

  • Noah Kosick Game Report Portland vs Seattle

    Noah Kosick, Seattle #71, August 18, 2008, Left shot left wing, 5.11/170

    Description: Offensive forward

    Strengths: An adequate skater with good agility and mobility. Competes hard and displays strong anticipation, reading and developing plays effectively. Consistently drives the net, finds loose pucks, and finishes rebounds. Brings energy on the forecheck and applies steady pressure. Contributes to the power play unit.

    Opportunity: Needs to refine his skating stride to add more speed and overall explosiveness. Must become more reliable in the defensive zone. At times holds onto the puck too long and can force plays – would benefit from quicker puck decisions. Should add strength and engage more consistently in the physical aspects of the game to be harder to play against.

    Projection: 5th Round Selection

    Skating: 4

    Puck skills: 6

    IQ: 5

    Physical play: 3

    D-zone: 4