DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Author: Josh Libfeld

  • Michael Tang vs Slovakia – Aug 7, 2026

    Michael Tang vs Slovakia – Aug 7, 2026

    Tang had about as impressive a performance as a goal scorer can have without actually scoring a goal. On one particularly impressive play, he beat a defender to the inside before driving the net and getting a shot on goal. He then attempted to bat his own rebound out of mid-air with a backhand, cross-body swing, but hit the post.

    On the power play, Tang beat a defender with a toe-drag at the face-off dot before releasing a powerful wrist shot that beat the goaltender high far side, sending the water bottle flying. The goal was ultimately called back for goaltender interference.

    This was by far Tang’s best game of the tournament. While his patience with the puck and ability to beat defenders with his hands allowed him to create offense, I would like to see him move his feet more when he has possession in the offensive zone. Adding more mobility could bring a more dynamic element to his cycle game.

  • Kayden Stroeder vs Sweden – Aug 5, 2026

    Kayden Stroeder vs Sweden – Aug 5, 2026

    Stroeder had a very impressive performance, starting the night by showing off his passing ability with a pair of assists before scoring a goal of his own later in the game.

    His first point of the night came on a no-look pass from behind the goal line that fooled the Swedish defender, giving Benjamin Veitch the space and time to find the back of the net.

    His second assist came on the power play, threading a pass through traffic and perfectly into a gap between the four penalty killers, finding the tape of Ryerson Edgar.

    Stroeder also scored a goal that showcased impressive hand-eye coordination. After receiving a pass from behind the net and getting a shot on goal, he recovered his own rebound despite the puck bouncing. While rotating 180 degrees, he was able to control the puck and beat the Swedish goaltender low far side.

    While Stroeder finished with three points, he could have easily had more. He nearly scored his second goal of the night after taking a great lane to the net to receive a cross-crease pass before getting hooked and drawing a penalty. He also showed great patience and awareness on the power play, getting lost in the Swedish penalty killers’ coverage before emerging in a more dangerous position than where he had started.

  • Brock Cripps (D) – 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    Cripps showcased the puck skills and hockey sense that make him such a dynamic offensive defenceman.

    He scored shorthanded after making a slight move, waiting for the defender to overcommit and slide right past him before beating the Swedish goaltender on the far side from the top of the circle.

    Later in the game, he repeatedly kept cycles going by keeping the puck in the offensive zone while under heavy pressure with little room to work at the blue line.

    This was highlighted by one shift where he did it three separate times before cutting through the Swedish defence with a stutter step to create another scoring chance.

    At even strength, Cripps and defensive partner Boston Tait controlled play from the offensive blue line. Their combination of passing ability and hockey IQ allowed them to toy with the Swedish forwards, moving the puck seamlessly back and forth while maintaining possession and giving the Canadian forwards time to get into scoring position.

  • Boston Tait (D) – 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    Boston Tait (D) – 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    Tait quietly played one of the most complete games on Canada’s blue line, impacting the game in all three zones.

    His puck movement was a constant throughout the game, helping Canada sustain its dominant performance by consistently moving the puck in the direction it needed to go.

    Rather than forcing difficult plays, he showed the poise to make the correct read, highlighted by a fantastic stretch pass that started the sequence leading to Camryn Warren’s goal.

    Offensively, Tait activated when the opportunity presented itself, but never at the expense of his defensive responsibilities.

    He looked most comfortable creating from the blue line, playing aggressively when needed to extend possessions before seamlessly recovering to his position.

    That balance allowed him to contribute offensively without leaving Canada vulnerable in transition.

    Tait consistently closed gaps and broke up plays through excellent stick and body positioning, including one sequence where he completely shut down an attacker one-on-one before immediately turning the play back up ice.

    Tait looked like your modern two-way, do-it-all defenceman, not shying away from any aspect of the game.

  • Joey Cullen (F) – 2028 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    Joey Cullen (F) – 2028 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    At just 16 years old, Joey Cullen was by far USA’s most talented forward, even in a high-intensity semifinal matchup.

    He always keeps his head up, scanning the ice for the right pass, and once he gets a good look, he has the elite hockey sense to know where everyone is and where they are going, allowing him to make plays before others can see them develop.

    He recorded a secondary assist on USA’s opening power-play goal. While he did not directly create the goal, he showed good poise with the puck, waiting until the right pass opened up. Though that was his last point, it was far from the last time he contributed offensively.

    Later in the game, Cullen beat one defender to the inside before taking another to the outside and ringing the puck off the post.

    On another play, he set up Gunnar Conboy with a completely open net, but Conboy missed. Cullen was also trusted to be a focal point of the American power play when he was on the ice.

    Another thing that impressed me was his ability to stay with plays even when they broke down. He was constantly able to recover and get to loose pucks before defenders.

  • Landon DuPont Dominates Beyond the Scoresheet

    Landon DuPont Dominates Beyond the Scoresheet

    Landon DuPont had a game that was indicative of his entire tournament, finishing with only one point despite being by far the most dominant player on the ice. Canada was in rough shape early, being outshot 10-1, but DuPont never let that get to him and continued making plays on every shift even while the players around him were struggling. Earning the C on his jersey, he dragged Canada back into the game with a slap shot from the high slot to tie it late in the first period.

    While he didn’t find the scoresheet again, DuPont remained dynamic in the offensive zone, whipping the puck around and controlling play. His second point of the night nearly came when he set up Maddox Schultz in the dying seconds of the first period, but time ran out. He didn’t receive a point on Malik L’Italien’s goal to give Canada a 3-2 lead either, but the play couldn’t have happened without him. DuPont caused havoc in the offensive zone, crashed the slot and drew all the attention away from L’Italien, giving him the time and space to score.