Category: Reports

  • Game Report – January 30th, 2026

    Quebec Remparts 0 VS Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 7

    Game Report – January 30th, 2026

    Quebec Remparts 0 VS Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 7

    Venue: Centre Excellence Sports Rousseau


    #27 D, Charlie Morrisson

    Team: Quebec Remparts

    Height/Weight 6’3”, 200Ibs

    Shoots: Left

    DOB: October 12th, 2007

    Overview:

    Charlie Morrisson is a mobile yet steady defensive defenseman who effectively leverages his size. His physicality is his biggest asset, consistently punishing opponents across the ice. While his shot has power, he often misses the net, keeping his shots low and following through would create more rebound chances. He needs to build confidence and composure with the puck, as he can struggle under pressure. His passing is solid and supports his teammate’s transitions, though his defensive awareness with the puck can lapse, leaving him vulnerable. At 6’3”, he moves well with fluid transitions and long strides but must quicken his footwork vastly. Defensively, his awareness and stickwork make him tough to beat, excelling in poke checks and interceptions. Although usually well-positioned, he occasionally overcommits on pinches and must watch his discipline.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top-5 Defenseman 

    Floor: AHL Top-2 Dman

    Special Teams: PK2

    Production Outlook: 5~ Goals, 15~ Points

    Pick Range: Mid 2nd round

    Player Comp: Brendan Dillon

    Strengths:

    • Defensive Play without the puck: 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.
    • Physicality: Tremendously imposing on the opposition, a menace when boxing out the opposition and throwing heavy checks along the boards.

    Weaknesses:

    • Shooting: Needs to improve accuracy and intelligence on his shots, particularly from long-range.
    • Confidence with the puck, especially in his own end: Needs let the game come to him more than him trying to force a play, needs to be mindful of his surroundings.
    • Lateral Flexibility: Has difficulty crossing over to his forehand side, lacks flexibility.

    In-game Observations:

    • At 6:05 of the 1st, Morrisson although was in position to defend Carbonneau, he was not keeping his feet moving, led to him getting side stepped by Carbonneau easily.
    • At 14:03 of the 1st, although seemed like he was in position, yet again wasn’t keeping his feet in constant motion, O. Lemieux slipped by him and gained an in tight scoring chance.
    • Although throughout the game, has been consistent at passing the puck flat and hard, at 12:10 of the 2nd, wasn’t mindful enough about the opposition on the forecheck, his pass got intercepted.
    • Throughout the early stages of the 3rd, was developing confidence when it came to shooting the puck low, led to pucks being on goal, creating rebounds.
    • At 11:40 of the 3rd, while facing pressure, was able to smoothly spin away from the forecheck while maintain control of the puck, then crisply break a puck through the neutral zone.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 5
    • Puck Skill: 3.5
    • Scoring Ability: 3
    • Playmaking Ability: 5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 5.5
    • Defensive Play: 6

    #26 F, Maddox Dagenais

    Team: Quebec Remparts, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’4”, 196 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: March 27th, 2008

    Overview:

    His ability to read plays and his strong net-front presence make him a very intriguing and trustworthy prospect who can play in any situation asked. This is due to his excellent strength at protecting the puck and being a menace around the net which allows him to be a lot more unpredictable with the puck and ultimately be a more creative. What is amazingly seen in Dagenais’ game however is his strong vision as he is excellent at knifing the puck through traffic from down low. Even though his passes may not always be the crispest, he understands the mindset of where his teammates are going to be. He could use some work in defensive reliability as there are occasions where will “reach” for the puck instead of “hunt” for the puck, but he really needs to work on his explosiveness so he could become a more intense player when it comes to his physicality due to his great size.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top-9 Scoring Forward  

    Floor: Bottom-6 Forward
    Special Teams: PP2 (Net-Front)
    Production Outlook: 45–50~ Points
    Pick Range: 30th-55th Overall

    Player Comp: Mason Marchment

    Strengths:

    • Physicality: When in use, really understanding how to throw his weight around and use his size to his advantage.
    • Offensive Awareness: Strong understanding of zone coverage, allowing him to navigate through the neutral zone with ease.
    • Shot: Shows great technique in letting pucks fly quickly as they surprise the goaltender greatly.

    Weaknesses:

    • Skating Explosiveness: Needs to work on his first steps in order to generate his top end speed quicker.
    • Defensive Awareness: Needs to show more effort and attention to detail in his defensive game, needs to be mindful of his stick.
    • Consistent Effort: Though has gotten much better, needs to be a bit more consistent with giving it all every shift.

    In-game Observations:

    • At 5:57 of the 1st, on the PP, although shown his opportunistic mindset when shooting the puck along with emphasis on hip rotation, needs to control his follow through as the puck went high. Moments later at 6:05, was not patient when receiving a pass on his backhand, Carbonneau took advantage of loose puck.
    • At 0:36 of the 2nd, although displayed great engagement and powerful strides on a 2-on-1 rush, after receiving a pass, he worried a bit too much about stickhandling instead of using his strength, being his shot.
    • At 5:05 of the 2nd, got easily knocked off the puck and turned it over to Zonnon. Needs to develop stronger and wider lower core stability.
    • At 12:21 of the 2nd, showcased his ability to be quick with his hands, though needs to develop a bit more patience with it. Luckily Ovcharov was in position to recover loose puck in o-zone.
    • At 1:30 of the 3rd, on PP, displayed more of his shooting mentality and hitting one-timers hard, though follow through needs to be more controlled. Moments later, although hustled hard initially, was reaching a bit too much into Desjardins when trying to stop breakaway. Led to Desjardins scoring on penalty shot.
    • Throughout the game, although not consistent, has displayed his ability to win timely faceoffs.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 5
    • Puck Skill: 6.5
    • Scoring Ability: 6.5
    • Playmaking Ability: 5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
    • Character: 6
    • Physicality: 6
    • Defensive Play: 4

    #25 F, Nikita Ovcharov

    Team: Quebec Remparts, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’2”, 195 lbs
    Shoots: Right
    DOB: February 17th, 2008

    Overview:

    Defined by his relentless work ethic and high motor, he drives play with constant pressure on the opposition due to his quickness in his footwork. What needs work in his skating however is that his mechanical stride is lacking as he lacks putting major emphasis on his leg extensions as he doesn’t appear as fast as he should on the ice. His hands need work as he lacks consistency at keeping the puck settled on the rush. Offensively, his shot is his best trait as he really puts emphasis in using his lower body but most importantly, does not take much time as he can shoot it very quick not even controlling the puck. Defensively, he’s greatly reliable and willing to sacrifice the body, but his positioning needs a bit of work as he just needs to be a bit sounder positionally in order for rewards to come his way. What will really put him into an NHL level is the high-level physicality he plays at as not only, he’s hard on the forecheck, but he finishes his checks clean and hard. Due to his high motor, he shows great character at having the mentality he’s going to win every battle he enters.

    Player Projection:

    Ceiling: Middle 6 Scoring Winger

    Floor: AHL 1st Line Forward

    Special Teams: PP2

    Production Outlook: 15~ Goals, 30~ Points

    Pick Range: 61st-100th Overall

    Player Comp: Miles Wood

    Strengths:

    • High Motor and Conditioning: Keeps moving and doesn’t quit on any given play.
    • Quick Snapshot: Does not take long to quickly put his weight into his shots.
    • Physicality: Hard on the forecheck, throws his body along the boads, wins puck battles.

    Weaknesses:

    • Puck Handling: Lacks consistency in being patient with his stick movement, looks somewhat choppy.
    • Stride Mechanics: Although shows excellent footwork, he has very short strides which limits his top end speed.
    • Defensive Positioning: Although shows great engagement by sacrificing the body, definitely needs to be sounder on his wing. Needs to be mindful of stick actions as well.

    In-game Observations: 

    • At 15:17 of the 1st, because of him playing in position on the break out, Ovcharov was able to quickly redirect puck to his centerman, led to Quebec then transitioning quickly in the o-zone.
    • At 8:20 of the 2nd, on PP, displayed great support for his defenseman, aided on the breakout, allowing for Quebec to quickly transition in the offensive zone and set themselves up.
    • At 12:21 of the 2nd, after Dagenais over handled puck, Ovcharov was in position to recover the loose puck, walked in and showcased quick hip rotation mechanics in his shot. Followed through with his shot low, on goal. Moments after, playing down low, had another chance.
    • From 13:00-13:55 of the 3rd, was becoming unpredictable with his shot/pass ratio, utilizing his teammates to create more optimal shooting lanes.
    • At 15:01 of the 3rd, needed to be mindful of his actions with his stick, took what would have been a tripping penalty if it wasn’t for Lavigne scoring.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 5.5
    • Puck Skill: 4
    • Scoring Ability: 6
    • Playmaking Ability: 5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
    • Character: 6
    • Physicality: 6.5
    • Defensive Play: 4

    #21 D, Jan Golicic
    Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: June 30th, 2006

    Overview:

    Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 5 Puck Moving/Shutdown Defenseman 

    Floor: 7th Defenseman

    Special Teams: PK2

    Production Outlook: 10-15~ Points

    Pick Range: 118th overall

    Player Comp: Nic Hague/

    Strengths:

    • Defensive Play: Strong positional awareness, great at using his reach and stick to break up plays and prevent offensive pressure.
    • Skating Strides: Strong stride generates speed for him to win races.
    • Puck Distribution: Displays great consistency at moving the puck crisply. Keeps his passes very flat which aids transition greatly.

    Weaknesses:

    • Puck Handling: Struggles when carrying the puck up the ice with confidence.
    • Shot Power: Displays great intelligence of walking into shoot and following through low, though lacks a lot of emphasis on hip rotation to get that power off.
    • Lateral Movement: Needs to improve reverse skating and lateral movement to handle faster, smaller players effectively.

    In-game observations: 

    • At 10:30 of the 1st, Jan was pushed off the puck easier than normal and lost possession of it, led to chaos in the Armada crease.
    • At 15:17 of the 1st, Jan needs to be a bit more mindful when he’s pinching of the situation given, Ovcharov redirected puck to his centerman, Jan had to skate hard back to get back into position, led to valuable energy wasted.
    • Throughout the 1st period, displayed consistent puck distribution as he would pass the puck crisply on the tape. Especially during the last minute of the 1st, also diversifying his shot/pass ratio, shot low, was rewarded with an assist on Armada’s 1st goal.
    • At 7:15 of the 2nd, displayed strong balance and strength, manhandled the opposing puck carrier with a heavy hit at the blueline when defending the rush.
    • At 9:59 of the 3rd, throughout this game, has been developing great confidence when controlling the puck. This case was when Armada was on the PP as he was generating self-confidence when walking the blueline and crisply distributing pucks. As a result, it led to him creating himself space and utilizing teammates to then rip a shot home in a wide open net.
    • At 16:45 of the 3rd, displayed more confidence in the o-zone handling the puck, deked his way into the slot and crisply distributed over to Grenier for a primary assist on Armada’s 7th goal.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 4.5
    • Puck Skill: 3.5
    • Scoring Ability: 3
    • Playmaking Ability: 5.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 5

    Defensive Play: 6.5


    #8 F, Justin Carbonneau
    Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’1”, 201 lbs
    Shoots: Right
    DOB: November 25, 2006

    Overview:

    Carbonneau’s game is best described as explosive and powerful as he’s constantly in motion maneuvering his way by or through the opposition with ease. His hands are as quick his foot speed, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates, especially on the rush. A little bit about his skating, although he doesn’t fully extend his strides, he generates tremendous acceleration due to the explosive footwork, getting himself at top speed very quickly. His best trait by far however is no doubt about it is his shot as it is NHL ready. It packs tremendous punch due to how much emphasis he places on leveraging the strength of his hips. This is keeping in mind that his follow through is controlled for how much power he brings. For his size, he is very physically involved as his hits are very impactful when he throws them. Where his game needs work is in his own end as he isn’t sound defensively by any means which he needs to be a lot more conscious of. This also goes for his effort level in his own end. One aspect that could be noted too is that he could utilize his teammates more.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: 1st Line Forward 

    Floor: Top 9 Scoring Forward

    Special Teams: PP1, Left Flank

    Production Outlook: 35~ Goals, 65-70 Points

    Pick Range: 19th overall

    Player Comp: Ilya Kolvalchuk

    Strengths:

    • Shot Release: His shot is fast and powerful, with a near-instant release with strong emphasis on hip rotation.
    • Puck Handling: His quick hands are as agile as his feet, weaving his way by the opposition with ease.
    • Offensive Zone Compete Level/Awareness: Displays relentless effort in the o-zone, understands how he needs to position himself to retrieve the puck via a pass or broken play.

    Weaknesses:

    • Defensive Positioning: He can sometimes get out of position defensively, creating openings for the opposition.
    • Lateral Skating: Although he has a quick stride, his transitions and crossovers occasionally lack smoothness.
    • Teammate Utilization: Although displays strong playmaking traits, he relies a bit too much on himself to make the big play.

    In-Game Observations

    • At 6:05 of the 1st, after Dagenais turned the puck over, Carbonneau with momentum while receiving a pass from Nobert, displayed great anticipation to cross through Morrisson on his backhand side, goaltender made a good save.
    • At 17:20 of the 2nd, on 4-on-4, Justin Carbonneau deked by one player in his own end, then used his explosive footwork to then power his way through the o-zone and used great bottom hand activation to roof the puck top shelf for a spectacular goal.
    • At 7:03 of the 3rd, first created himself space in the o-zone, displayed heavy wrist shot mechanics with emphasis on hip rotation. Moments later, the opposition had a hard time controlling puck, Carbonneau swiped at the puck, not giving up, the puck trickled in.
    • Throughout the game, although was reasonably sound when it came to his positioning in the defensive end, he still lacked defensive engagement, could have been laying the body more.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6
    • Puck Skill: 7
    • Scoring Ability: 8
    • Playmaking Ability: 5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
    • Character: 6
    • Physicality: 6.5
    • Defensive Play: 3.5

    #9 F, Bill Zonnon
    Team: Blainville Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’2”, 190 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: October 3, 2006

    Overview:

    Bill Zonnon brings power and patience as a playmaker. His ability to read plays along with his strong net-front presence make him a very intriguing and trustworthy player who can be placed in any situation asked due to his excellent strength at protecting the puck and being a menace around the net due to his high activity. As hinted, what is mostly seen with his game however is his elite vision as he could really thread the needle with 3 guys that are between his passing lanes. This ties in with the fact that his pure passing mechanics are his bread and butter as he passes a puck very hard and flat. When discussing about his deking ability, he isn’t the quickest when it comes to his puck coordination, but its very controlled. Discussing about his shot, although he demonstrates thorough mechanics on his follow through, he needs to develop confidence at taking advantage of lanes and not waste a half second to shoot. Defensively, he’s very reliable as he plays square in position and is willing to block shots. Where his game needs work is his skating as he really needs to develop more of him fully extending his legs for higher top speed and develop explosiveness laterally.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 6 Playmaking Forward (2nd Line)

    Floor: Bottom 6 Scoring Forward

    Special Teams: PP2, Net Front

    Production Outlook: 20~ Goals, 50~ Points

    Pick Range: 22nd Overall

    Player Comp: Adam Henrique/Nick Bonino

    Strengths:

    • Playmaking and Vision: His awareness in the offensive zone sets him apart from the opposition by deep understanding of his teammate’s positioning.
    • Size and Physicality: At 6’2”, he’s already a physical presence, which makes him tough to handle around the net and good body positioning.
    • Patience with the Puck: Zonnon is calm under pressure and takes his time to find the best passing or shooting opportunity.

    Weaknesses:

    • Shooting Confidence: Although demonstrates his ability to really follow through on his shots with power, needs to use it more, allowing for him to be more unpredictable.
    • Skating Stride and Lateral Explosiveness: Even though he possesses a tall stance, allowing him to visualize the play, he needs to develop quicker but also more fully extended strides.
    • Strength/Balance: Although has good height and leverages it well fending off the opposition, needs to develop lower core muscle, providing stronger stability when receiving checks.

    In-Game Observations:

    • Displayed consistent puck distribution and utilized his teammates well throughout the whole game, especially seen on the PP.
    • At 5:20 of the 2nd, after picking the puck from Dagenais, he created his own small rush but was patient and knowledgeable to utilize frame to aid Armada when settling in the o-zone.
    • Throughout the game, displayed strong support along the wing for his defensemen, aiding Armada to break pucks out cleanly and transitioning quickly.
    • Throughout the game, when on the PP, although his role is to distribute the puck, he needs to develop a stronger shooting mentality, allowing for him to become less predictable.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 4.5
    • Puck Skill: 6
    • Scoring Ability: 5
    • Playmaking Ability: 7
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 7
    • Character: 6
    • Physicality: 6
    • Defensive Play: 5

    #26 F, Mael Lavigne

    Team: Blainville Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’4”, 196 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: February 11th, 2005

    Overview:

    His ability to read plays and his strong net-front presence make him a very intriguing and trustworthy prospect who can play in many situations when asked. This is due to not his strength at protecting the puck and being a menace around the net but also utilizing a strong motor for someone at his size as it allows him to be impactful as well on the defensive side of the puck. When discussing about his puck skills, although he demonstrates good awareness when timing his puck handling, he isn’t very smoothest when controlling it. Even though his passes may not always be the crispest, he understands the mindset of where his teammates are going to be and utilizes them well. On the defensive end, he does showcase great commitment on the backcheck, though what will be key for him is to develop consistency of playing sound in position. His stride although quick for a bigger player, can emphasize more leg extension to create himself higher top speed. His shot, displays great bottom hand activation, though can follow through quicker. Can also build more muscle to be more impactful physically.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top-9 Scoring Forward  

    Floor: AHL Top-6 Forward
    Special Teams: PP2 (Net-Front)
    Production Outlook: 15~ Goals, 35-40~ Points
    Pick Range: Undrafted

    Player Comp: Mason Marchment

    Strengths:

    • Physicality: When in use, really understanding how to throw his weight around and use his size to his advantage.
    • Offensive Awareness: Strong understanding of zone coverage, allowing him to navigate through the neutral zone with ease.
    • Versatility/Effort Level: Dynamic in any situation given, very consistent, high effort level both on the forecheck and on the backcheck.

    Weaknesses:

    • Skating Stride: For a bigger player, although displays quickness in his strides, needs to emphasize more leg extensions.
    • Inconsistent Puck Handling: Although possesses strong anticipation when to deke, isn’t consistent at smoothly weaving the puck quickly.
    • Strength: Although displays great physical engagement, can build more lower core muscle in order to generate stronger balance and generate stronger shot power.

    In-game Observations:

    • At 17:15 of the 1st, Lavigne although was putting pressure on the point, wasn’t moving his feet, he got side stepped by an opposing defenseman. 15 seconds later though, displayed his work ethic on the forecheck, he drew a penalty on the opposition.
    • Approximately the 7th minute of the 2nd, displayed a patiently persistent mindset on the PK, forcing the opposition to make mistakes.
    • At 19:45 of the 2nd, because Lavigne displayed great poise when walking into the slot with the puck, it led to the Quebec goalie falling, leading to chaos around the net.
    • Throughout the game, although not consistent with it, has showcased his ability to win faceoffs when needed, a key tool used to be a diverse forward.
    • At 15:05 of the 3rd, after entering the offensive zone, Lavigne showcased great anticipation and silky hands to weave his way around the goaltender, tucking the puck in down low for goal.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 4.5
    • Puck Skill: 4.5
    • Scoring Ability: 6
    • Playmaking Ability: 5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
    • Character: 7
    • Physicality: 6
    • Defensive Play: 5

    #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: 
    10~ Goals,20–30 Point Energy Forward
    Pick Range: 
    Undrafted Free Agent

    Player Comp: Jean-Gabriel Pageau

    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:

    • At 2:10 of the 1st, Gosselin was playing down low in position, was able to fend off rebound chance and clear puck into safety.
    • At 8:00 of the 2nd, on PK, after receiving the puck on the rush, did the smart thing by holding it and redistributing the puck back to his defenseman so that Armada can kill PP time.
    • At 11:10 of the 2nd, although didn’t score, created himself some space to drive to the net and re-direct the puck towards the net, the puck just went high.
    • Throughout the game, displayed his ability to not only backcheck hard, but to play sound in positioning, containing the opposition at bay.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6.5
    • Puck Skill: 5
    • Scoring Ability: 4.5
    • Playmaking Ability: 6
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
    • Character: 7
    • Physicality: 4
    • Defensive Play: 7
  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    2026 is now a month old, with the calendar turning from January to February. As the 2026 NHL Draft continues to inch closer, here’s how some of the top scoring draft eligibles fared this week. This week’s three stars include two players who were passed over in previous drafts and are hoping to find NHL homes this time around, as well as a Swede who appears to be a potential late first-round pick.

    Lukas Sawchyn | RW | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

    Edmonton Oil Kings winger Lukas Sawchyn has taken a big leap forward in his second season with the club. The younger brother of Florida Panthers 2023 second-round pick Gracyn, has 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists) in 48 games in 2025-26 after having 55 points (15 goals, 40 assists) in 66 games in 2024-25.

    The crafty winger’s impressive sophomore campaign in the WHL has made scouts take notice as he found himself ranked 168 on the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings for North American Skaters. Bound for Arizona State in 2026, the 18-year-old, who turns 19 in February, is putting together a season that should get him more attention this time around.

    The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Grand Prairie, AB, native has been incredibly hot recently with 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in his last five games, eight of those in three games this past week. The Oil Kings started the week by dropping a 5-2 decision to the Calgary Hitmen, with Sawchyn chipping in a secondary assist. Traveling to Moose Jaw for its second game of the week, Edmonton got a four-assist performance from the Shattuck St. Mary’s alum, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Warriors as the Oil Kings fell 7-5. In the final contest of the week for the Oil Kings, Sawchyn chipped in a goal and a pair of assists in a 6-3 victory over the Swift Current Broncos.

    Ethan MacKenzie | LHD | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

    Sawchyn’s junior teammate Ethan MacKenzie surprised a lot of people by being named to Team Canada for the 2025-26 World Junior Championships and played in all seven games for the bronze medal squad. The 19-year-old has found a new gear offensively in his fourth year in the WHL, with a career-high 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 40 games.

    The 6-foot, 174-pound two-way defender is finding the back of the net at a much higher rate than ever before with six goals in his last ten games. He scored five goals in 54 games in the 2024-25 season. His rise this season has brought his name into focus as a re-entry for the 2026 NHL Draft, with NHL Central Scouting ranking him 74 among North American skaters in its Mid-Term Rankings.

    The West Kelowna, BC, native was the second-highest-scoring draft-eligible defenseman this past week with five points (three goals, two assists) in three games, while firing 12 shots on goal. His biggest game of the week was a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 6-3 win over the Swift Current Broncos. MacKenzie rifled a power play goal up over the Broncos goaltender for an early 2-0 lead. He potted an assist on the man advantage, firing a shot that was tipped in to give the Oil Kings a 3-0 cushion. He later added his second marker by walking in from the point and firing a wrist shot that beat the goalie cleanly on the glove side.

    Marcus Nordmark | RW | Djurgärdens IF (U20 Nationell)

    Swedish winger Marcus Nordmark has been one of the top draft-eligible players in Sweden’s top U20 junior league. With 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 23 games, he trails only Alexander Command (38 points in 25 games) in scoring among players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Nordmark has failed to really make an impact at the SHL level this season, with just one assist in four games. However, he’s only played very limited minutes, with 10:45 as his season high.

    Against his peers on the international stage, the 17-year-old has been dominant with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists). His exploits have certainly got the hockey scouting community intrigued. He earned the number seven ranking on NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Ranking for International Skaters and is the 22nd-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Ranking.

    Nordmark trailed only Sawchyn this week in points by draft eligibles, with seven in two games. Nordmark was called up to the SHL for a game against Roglë but didn’t end up playing. He returned to the U20 team and torched Skellefteå AIK with a three-goal, three-assist night. He polished off his week with a goal to tie the game at one in a 3-2 overtime win for his team.

  • Saginaw Spirit 4 vs Peterborough Petes 1 Game Report

    Game Report – January 22nd, 2026

    Saginaw Spirit 4 vs Peterborough Petes 1

    Venue: Peterborough Memorial Center

    #4 D, Levi Harper
    Team: Saginaw Spirit, OHL
    Height/Weight: 5’11”, 174 lbs
    Shoots: Right
    DOB: October 3rd, 2008

    Overview:

    Levi Harper is a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman who thrives with the puck and plays a confident, possession-focused game. Despite a smaller frame, he’s very much an offensively involved blueliner, excelling in transition with soft hands, deceptive fakes, and quick reads that create scoring chances. His smooth skating and excellent lateral mobility, especially showcasing 10-to-2 crossovers, allowing him to walk the blue line and sustain pressure. Offensively, he brings a dual threat, threading passes through seams or firing accurate point shots. Defensively, his limitations show: he struggles in board battles, can be pushed off pucks, and his short reach hinders disruption. While his positioning is solid, he needs to not only keep his feet moving when defending the rush. Also, he must become more assertive in physical engagements and shot blocking.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top-Four Offensive Defenseman

    Floor: AHL Top 2 Defenseman
    Special Teams: 
    PP1 Quarterback
    Production Outlook: 
    45-55 Points
    Pick Range: 25th~40th Overall

    Player Comp: Cole Hutson

    Strengths:

    • Offensive Activation and Anticipation with the Puck: Displays great confidence with the puck, understands how to assess his risks in his actions with the puck.
    • Reverse Skating/Crossovers: Smooth transitioning from one move to the next, helps him stay square in positioning when defending the rush.
    • Puck Skills: Although not the fastest, he does showcases smooth hands to knife his way around the opposition in tight spaces.

    Weaknesses:

    • Size and Reach: Gets muscled off the puck very easily, needs to build core strength to also improve balance.
    • Increase in Defensive Activation: Although pretty square in positioning and not always chasing, he needs to block shots more and getting involved more physically in the corners/board battles.
    • Lateral Quickness: Although confident at tomahawking onto his forehand side, he does need to develop quickness when tomahawking onto his backhand side.

    In-Game Observations:

    • At 4:25 of the 1st, at the o-zone blue line, his pass got intercepted, hustled very hard on the backcheck and stopped breakaway chance from happening. Needs to be mindful when performing d-to-d point passes.
    • At 4:23 of the 2nd, showed explosiveness and being able to cut off a lane while defending the rush which led to Saginaw regaining possession of the puck.
    • At 9:12 of the 2nd, Harper displayed his offensive instincts and used his quick strides to explode himself into a 2-on-1 with Zhilkin, then was able to thread a pass over to Zhilkin.
    • At 16:10 of the 2nd, after Barabanov was able to win faceoff to him, Harper quickly and crisply distributed the puck to his defensive partner who scored Saginaw’s 3rd goal of the game. Harper earned a primary assist on the play.
    • At 2:45 of the 3rd, Harper wasn’t square enough to his side when it came to defending the rush, he got flat footed and had to take a tripping penalty.

    Skater Category Ratings:

    • Skating: 6.5
    • Puck Skill: 6.5
    • Scoring Ability: 5
    • Playmaking Ability: 6.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 3
    • Defensive Play: 4

    #71 F, Dimian Zhilkin
    Team: Saginaw Spirit, OHL
    Height/Weight: 5’10”, 185 lbs
    Shoots: Right
    DOB: October 21st, 2008

    Overview:

    Dimian Zhilkin is a dynamic playmaking forward who brings a high level of creativity and offensive awareness. His ability to spin out of tight situations with quick, fluid movement makes him a unique offensive presence. His shot is adequate, featuring a reliable toe-drag release, though greater hip rotation would add power. Zhilkin’s offense is driven by his playmaking, as he consistently keeps defenders off balance by reading teammates faster than the opposition. His elite puck skills and soft hands allow him to execute at high speed. To become more unpredictable, he would benefit from balancing his shot and pass selection. Defensively, improvement is needed; while he has an accurate poke check and generally sound positioning, he must increase his backchecking effort, improve faceoff timing, and engage more physically, especially by getting involved in puck battles along the boards.

    Player Projection:

    Ceiling: 1st Line Forward

    Floor: Top-6 Scoring Forward

    Special Teams: PP1

    Production Outlook: 25~ Goals, 75~ Points

    Pick Range: 5th-10th Overall, 2027 Draft

    Player Comp: Matt Duchene

    Strengths:

    • Puck Skills: Very dynamic hands, smooth as silk and highly coordinated.

    Agility and Edgework: Exceptional mobility helps him evade defenders and create space.

    • Offensive Awareness: Has a strong feel for his teammates and does a good job acting as a sponge in the offensive zone.

    Weaknesses:

    • Shooting Power: Although displays an accurate toe-drag release, needs to emphasize more hip rotation to create more power from his shot.
    • Physical Engagement: Although showcases strong balance, needs to get involved physically by using his motor to outwork opposition in corner.
    • Defensive Stability: Although shows adequate positional awareness and accurate poke, needs to be more willing to sacrifice the body. Needs to better time his faceoffs.

    In-game Observations: 

    • At 1:15 of the 1st, although he lost faceoff, he still played square in position, was able to pick up loose puck and then create a PK rush with Klepov.
    • At 11:15 of the 1st, in the offensive zone, displayed strong anticipation and fluid edgework to buy himself a lot of time and utilize his teammates to his advantage. Faked shot high in the slot allowing him to then change the angle, just the goaltender made a better save.
    • At 3:05 of the 2nd, had very much the opportunity to rip a shot on the 2-on-1, instead however was trying to be too fine with his playmaking when the lane was closed.
    • At 9:12 of the 2nd, displayed great engagement on the rush by driving hard to the slot, was given a pass from Harper and tried to shoot it five-hole, just the goalie made a good save.
    • At 16:00 of the 2nd, along the halfwall, he did a great job anticipating, but quickly exploding into the inside, got down low in the slot, quickly snapped it, the goalie made a big save.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 7
    • Puck Skill: 7.5
    • Scoring Ability: 5.5
    • Playmaking Ability: 7
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 4.5
    • Defensive Play: 3.5

    #14 F, Egor Barabanov
    Team: Saginaw Spirit, OHL
    Height/Weight: 6”, 180 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: May 16th, 2006

    Overview:

    Egor Barabanov is a smooth playmaking forward who’s linemates benefit from. At 6 feet and 180 pounds, his solid frame and agility make him highly effective in puck protection, board battles, and transitions with still some room to grow. Offensively, his strength truly lies in his playmaking as he can thread pucks through crowds along with his patience when controlling the puck. When discussing his shot, it lacks weight due to him not emphasizing enough hip rotation. As a result, he relies a bit too much on his playmaking which acts as a double edge sword as he occasionally tries to force passes through closed lanes. Defensively, he showcases adequate positioning as he is good at picking off passes, but he needs work on the draw along with being more urgent in his own end. This ties in the fact his grit and commitment on the backcheck need work. When discussing about his skating, he could generate more extended strides to create higher top speed, but his agility and balance are quite up to par as it allows him to smoothly transition from one move to the next.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top-9 Scoring Forward

    Floor: AHL Top-6 Forward

    Special Teams: PP2 Flank, Distributor
    Production Outlook: 15~ Goals, 45~ Points (Two-Way Playmaker, Secondary Scorer)
    Pick Range: 65th-90th Overall

    Player Comp: Marcus Johansson

    Strengths:

    • Agility: Swift footwork/cross overs, allows him to shield the puck off well
    • Playmaking Ability: Displays great vision, poised to utilize his teammates to his advantage.
    • Puck Skills: Fluid with his stick movement when controlling the puck, anticipative.

    Weaknesses:

    • Shot Power: He lacks heaviness in his shot, limiting his scoring potential, making it easier for the goaltender to read. (Needs to build upper core strength).
    • Risk Management: Occasionally tries to do too much with the puck, leading to turnovers.
    • Physical Engagement: Although has a good enough frame to throw the body around, doesn’t seem to showcase the mentality of wanting to throw it around.

    In-game Observations:

    • At 0:40 of the 1st, on the PK, played sound in position, was able to intercept puck in neutral zone and waste PP time.
    • From 9:50-10:10 of the 1st, on PP, displayed although consistent when passing the puck itself, the situational awareness of when he was passing was inconsistent. Got intercepted and had taken a hooking penalty.
    • At 14:40 of the 1st, on PK, although being responsible not chasing the play defensively, needs to be a bit more aggressive and sacrificial at covering closer to the point.
    • From 9:20-9:45 of the 2nd, displayed crisp and smooth puck distribution as he was utilizing his teammates to create both himself and his linemates lanes for getting pucks on goal. Moments later on the PP, continued distributing pucks crisply and was rewarded with an assist on 2nd goal.
    • At 14:00 of the 2nd, on the PP in his own zone, lacked a lot of urgency to hunt for the puck, Peterborough then had a dangerous chance down low.
    • At 16:10 of the 2nd, did a good job staying hard and muscling a faceoff win to Harper, led to secondary assist on Saginaw’s 3rd goal.
    • At 19:40 of the 2nd, on PK, was able to use shifty cuts to deke his way by the opposition, then was able to utilize Klepov who came in with momentum to get a shot on goal.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6
    • Puck Skill: 6.5
    • Scoring Ability: 4
    • Playmaking Ability: 7
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 4.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 4
    • Defensive Play: 4

    #10 F, Adam Levac
    Team: Peterborough Petes, OHL
    Height/Weight: 6”, 172 lbs
    Shoots: Right
    DOB: June 27th, 2008

    Overview:

    Adam Levac is a high energy forward who is willing to do whatever it takes to cause havoc. His best offensive trait is arguably his shot as it is mechanically heavy and accurate as he puts all of his weight into his hips. When discussing about his playmaking, it is very much nothing out of the ordinary due to his limited puck skills. What is key for him however is that he does do well on give and go set ups to generate speed on the rush. When discussing about his skating mechanics, he has a powerful stride and is considerably quick when it comes to his footwork. What will need to be worked on is that he does need to develop flexibility in order to explode quicker laterally. He’s an energy ball which is key when putting on pressure in the opposition. Defensively, he will need to play slightly more sound in positioning. Physically, he finishes his checks, well and fights for the puck hard. What he will need to build is getting stronger in his upper core to not only be more durable, but also be more punishing.

    Player Projection:

    Ceiling: Bottom-6 Energy forward

    Floor: AHL Middle-6 Forward

    Special Teams: PK2

    Production Outlook: 10~ Goals, 20~ Points

    Pick Range: 160th-190th Overall

    Player Comp: Sam Lafferty

    Strengths:

    • Shot Mechanics: Displays thorough shot mechanics, gains a lot of power and displays great control with aim.
    • Skating Strides: Demonstrates powerful and explosive strides, fully extends his legs quickly.
    • Work Ethic: Although not the strongest guy, showcases tremendous heart to fight for the puck in the corners and fights for positioning at the front of the net.

    Weaknesses:

    • Puck Skills: Isn’t consistent with his puck coordination, especially when deking
    • Lateral Movement: Although quick and powerful strides, isn’t the most flexible which he can’t seem to explode laterally as quick as he should.
    • Vision: Although good at creating speed on the rush with give and go plays, isn’t consistent enough at threading the puck through crowds.

    In-game Observations: 

    • At 0:50 of the 1st, after receiving puck from Novotny, Levac displayed patience holding at the blue line, though needs to be a bit more mindful of the risks when passing to top of the point.
    • At 9:07 of the 1st, Levac displayed his ability to engage yet be patient in the offensive zone. Was able to create himself some space high in the slot, showcased follow through shot mechanics. Could emphasize quicker hip rotation.
    • At 19:10 of the 2nd, was highly active down low, creating havoc. One small scenario that could have been better is that he could have been more opportunistic when shooting.
    • At 3:04 of the 3rd, drove hard to the net on the PP, which allowed him to score on a rebound.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 5.5
    • Puck Skill: 4
    • Scoring Ability: 6
    • Playmaking Ability: 4
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
    • Character: 7
    • Physicality: 5.5
    • Defensive Play: 4
  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    Another edition of the weekly 2026 draft-eligible three stars returns with a pair of exciting defensemen and a WHL forward who is on a big-time heater. 19-year-old Czech-born defenseman Tomas Galvas has been passed on in both the 2024 and 2025 NHL drafts, but in 2026 it looks like he should find a home. Carson Carels, who was already named a three-star in October, looks like a lock to be a first-round pick in June, and his continued play will have scouts and analysts wrestling with how high he should go. Finally, Markus Ruck has been on fire recently and was a big part of the Medicine Hat Tigers compiling a 19-game win streak that was snapped on Saturday.

    Tomas Galvas | LD | Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZE)

    The flashy skating of Tomas Galvas was incredibly impressive for Czechia at the 2026 World Junior Championship, finishing second in tournament scoring by a defenseman with nine points (three goals, seven assists). He ended the tournament as the third-highest player on his team in icetime, behind St. Louis Blue prospect Adam Jiricek and Seattle Kraken draft pick Jakub Fibigr.

    The son of longtime Czech pro player Lukas Galvas has returned to the Czech pro ranks after his trip to Minnesota on fire with four goals and an assist in four games. At 5-foot-10 and only 168 pounds, Galvas will still have to fight the notion that he is undersized for an NHL defenseman, but his skating skills continue to make him an interesting prospect. The hockey scouting community is starting to believe he might have a North American pro hockey career ahead of him yet, after his three medals at three World Junior Championships. Galvas landed at number 69 on the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Ranking for international skaters, which equates to an expected third-round pick.

    Carson Carels | LD | Prince George Cougars (WHL)

    Carson Carels is another defender that has returned to his club team from the World Junior Championships and is excelling. The 13th-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings didn’t play a huge role for Canada, getting 10 and a half minutes or less of ice time a game, but the fact that he made the team and got to play those minutes was impressive for a 17-year-old.

    Carels has been an offensive monster this season. He already has in 35 games so far this year passed the 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) he put up in 60 games in his first full WHL season. He leads all CHL draft-eligible defensemen in points with 50 and trails only Prince Alberts’ Daxon Rudolph (20) and Soo Greyhounds’ Chase Reid (16) in goals with 11.

    Playing in three games this past weekend, Carels has a pair of goals to go with two assists. Perhaps most impressively, though, was that the Cypress River, MB native led all draft-eligible players this past week in shots on goal with 15. Carels earned himself the number three ranking on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking of North American skaters.

    Markus Ruck | C | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

    Markus Ruck and twin brother Liam are a big reason why the Medicine Hat Tigers are one of the top teams in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. While Liam has been more of a goal scorer with 25 in 43 games, Markus has been piling up the assists with 50 in 43 games. He is the leader amongst draft-eligible players in the CHL in helpers so far this year.

    After a slow start to the week with just one shot on goal against the Edmonton Oil Kings in a 3-2 shootout win, Ruck exploded for six points (two goals, four assists) in the following two games. The 31st-ranked skater by NHL Central Scouting in its Mid-Term Ranking for North American skaters for the 2026 class had three assists, including two on the power play, and the game’s last goal, as the Tigers defeated the Oil Kings 7-3. Ruck was named the third star of the game against the Prince Albert Raiders for his goal and assist in the Tigers’ rally back from down 4-1. Unfortunately, the Tigers saw the game slip away in the third as the Raiders scored twice on an empty net to win 8-5.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft-Eligible Three Stars

    January is almost over, and the 2026 NHL Draft inches closer with every flip of the calendar. For draft-eligible players, the next few months will do a lot to decide the future for these guys. This week’s Draft Prospects Hockey weekly three stars feature two of the projected top defensemen in the class and a forward who is rising up the boards.

    Chase Reid | RHD | Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

    After a short stint in the NAHL with the Bismarck Bobcats, right-handed defenseman Chase Reid joined the Soo Greyhounds and started piling up points in the 2024-25 season. In 39 games, the smooth-skating rearguard had 40 points (seven goals, 33 assists). In the same number of games so far in 2025-26, the Chesterfield, MI, native is leading all OHL draft-eligible defensemen in points with 45 (18 goals, 27 assists).

    Reid, the number 10 ranked skater on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Ranking, continued his impressive offensive season with five points in three games. He started with three assists while taking five shots in a 5-3 win over the London Knights. Despite not finding the scoresheet, Reid played over 25 minutes in a 3-0 shutout of the North Bay Battalion for Los Angeles Kings prospect Carter George. He polished up the weekend with a pair of goals with five shots on goal in a 6-1 victory over the Battalion.

    Keaton Verhoeff | RHD | Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)

    Keaton Verhoeff is one of five 17-year-old players in the NCAA this season but is the only defenseman. His 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 22 games place him third in draft-eligible scoring in college hockey behind Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and Michigan’s Adam Valentini. Verhoeff was a proven scorer at the junior level after scoring 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games as a 16-year-old with the Victoria Royals in 2024-25, but a move to the NCAA presented a potential challenge.

    The Fort Saskatchewan, AB, native has been up to the task and is showing why he is Draft Prospect Hockey’s third-best skater and top defender on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings. This week in a pair of matchups with Arizona State, he scored twice while adding three assists.

    Jaxon Cover | LW | London Knights (OHL)

    Jaxon Cover has one of the most unique paths to becoming a prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. He didn’t start playing ice hockey until he was 13, and before that, he was a sensation at inline hockey. After playing with the St. Andrews prep school team, he joined the London Knights full-time for the 2025-26 season.

    In 45 games this season, Cover has 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists), which might not scream NHL top prospect, but remember he grew up in the Cayman Islands and has only been playing competitive ice hockey for four seasons.

    Cover was held off the scoresheet in his first game of the week against the Soo Greyhounds but scored four goals in his next two games. He tied the game at two against the Sarnia Sting with eight minutes left in regulation. After getting the puck from a scrum, he walked into the left faceoff circle and lifted a backhand up and over the Sting goaltender.

    To end the week, Cover potted his first career OHL hat trick in a dominant 10-2 shellacking of the Peterborough Petes.

  • Gatineau Olympiques 4 vs Sherbrooke Phoenix 0 Report

    December 31st, 2025

    Gatineau Olympiques 4 vs Sherbrooke Phoenix 0

    Centre Slush Puppie


    #91 F, Thomas Rousseau

    Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 5’10”, 175 lbs
    Shoots: Right
    DOB: February 12th, 2008

    Overview:

    Thomas Rousseau might be one of the most underrated forwards in the QMJHL, often overlooked due to his smaller frame. Despite that, he’s a highly intelligent and crafty playmaker who consistently finds creative solutions under pressure, often making difficult plays look effortless. His vision and timing allow him to set up teammates in tight areas or turn broken plays into scoring chances. While his defensive reliability and overall explosiveness still need refinement, Rousseau has all the foundational tools to develop into a versatile and dynamic offensive threat. What’s particularly intriguing about his game is his shot. Although not overpowering, he demonstrates excellent mechanics and a quick release that catches goaltenders off guard. He’s adept at changing shooting angles and using defenders as screens, making him deceptively dangerous around the net.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 9 Scoring Forward

    Floor: AHL Top 6 Forward
    Special Teams: PP2
    Production Outlook: 40–50 Points
    Pick Range: 80th-160th Overall

    Player Comp: Jean-Gabriel Pageau

    Strengths:

    • Puck Handling: His smooth hands allow him to work well in tight spaces.
    • Playmaking Ability: Strong give-and-go plays create dynamic offensive rushes.
    • Offensive Awareness: Plays off of his teammates very well.

    Weaknesses:

    • Shot Power: He lacks heaviness in his shot, limiting his scoring potential, making it easier for the goaltender to read. (Needs to build upper core strength).
    • Overcomplicated Plays: Occasionally tries to do too much with the puck, leading to turnovers.
    • Defensive Positioning: He often plays too high in the defensive zone as a centerman.

    In-game Observations:

    • At 11:13 of the 1st, because of sound positioning, he was able to recover the puck and use his motor to drive his own rush, was able to get snapshot off.
    • At 17:30 of the 1st, on the PP, wasn’t showcasing urgency to drive the puck up the rush and was caught with a turnover. Was almost scored on.
    • At 4:50 of the 2nd, displayed his ability to cleanly win faceoffs, then displayed his motor and quick footwork to drive the puck on the rush while 4-on-4, got a snapshot on goal.
    • At 14:25 of the 2nd, showcased improvements at quickly snapping the puck with quicker hip rotation, he hit the post. Moments after, he displayed his ability to retransition from d-zone play back to o-zone play and driving his own rush while utilizing his teammates. His skating to do so: short and choppy strides which didn’t provide him top speed.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 5
    • Puck Skill: 6
    • Scoring Ability: 5
    • Playmaking Ability: 6.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 3.5
    • Defensive Play: 6

    #12 G, Justin Brisebois

    Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’3”, 185 lbs
    Catches: Left
    DOB: June 12th, 2007

    Overview:

    He moves well with developing play and remains poised amid chaos, though he needs to be a lot more urgent when covering loose pucks and rebounds. His compete level can be very much improve as mentioned that he needs to develop the mindset of gathering the puck ASAP, though he does a great job not giving up on cross crease plays which forces him to stretch far to stop the puck. He has a ready high glove, though needs to be much quicker when tracking pucks higher. He seals the posts well, though when covering knee level, can have difficulty which is why he gives the rebound that he does. He’s considerably light and agile when moving laterally, though he needs to be quick at going up and down along with being more proactive down low. He uses his pads well to direct pucks into the corners and seal the ice. While his vision can be inconsistent, he has shown ability to read cross crease plays.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Fringe NHL Goalie/3rd string

    Floor: AHL Backup
    Special Teams: PP2
    Production Outlook: .905%~
    Pick Range: Undrafted

    Player Comp: Justin Peters

    Strengths:

    • Glove Low: Tracks the puck low very well, can catch pucks in a proactive manner.
    • Lateral Movement/Play Reading: Does a good job pushing side to side powerfully and controlled, reads cross ice passing very well.
    • Ice Sealing: He seals ice level very well as there are very few moments, he gets caught low around the pad height area.

    Weaknesses:

    • Rebound Control: He lacks urgency and calmness when handling loose pucks, isn’t the most mindful of the opposition getting into his crease. Needs to assert dominance and strength.
    • Glove High: Although has a ready glove, he needs to be mindful of keeping it lower for the more difficult shots, especially from out far.
    • Getting Quick Vertically: Although quick when pushing side to side but isn’t explosive enough when going down on his knees, to then getting back up on his skates.

    In-game Observations:

    • On Gatineau’s first goal, he was beaten high glove. In order for that to not happen, Justin should have challenged the shooter a bit more instead of playing low in his crease.
    • On Gatineau’s 2nd goal, although was square in position on 2-on-1 and stopped the shot, he did not seal the puck for a faceoff. That is the most important aspect for a goaltender is slow the game down and let your team have control. He gave up a rebound that squeaked by him.
    • On Gatineau’s 3rd goal, Justin again gave up a key rebound and, in this case, wasn’t the most square with the puck carrier.
    • At 16:40 of the 2nd, showcased his ability to track puck with cross crease pass, made a difficult blocker save while moving across.
    • Throughout the game, he was good at closing off the angles along the corner, though needed to really seal the lower portions of the net.

    Goaltender Category Ratings:

    • Skating: 6
    • Net Coverage: 5
    • Quickness: 4
    • Rebound Control: 3.5
    • Play Reading/Anticipation: 6
    • Technique: 5
    • Poise: 4.5
    • Puck Handling: 4

    #19 F, Ilya Kolmakov

    Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’1”, 165 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: September 30th, 2008

    Overview:

    Ilya Kolmakov is a dynamic forward excels greatly on the offensive end of the ice. Offensively, he shows strong positional awareness and playmaking ability, thriving in give-and-go situations and can thread pucks through crowds with ease. This comes to him utilizing his teammates well. However, he can overcomplicate plays with excessive patience and lack of urgency. His shot, while accurate, lacks power, limiting his scoring impact due to him not emphasizing hip rotation. Defensively, he showcases he is considered average as he will play sound on the rush and is good at intercepting passes, he isn’t the most willing when it comes to sacrificing the body. When discussing about his skating, he could generate quicker feet in the long run, but his agility and balance are quite up to par as it allows him to smoothly transition from one move to the next. This also comes to him having to develop a stronger motor. When discussing his physical stature, he definitely needs work as isn’t strong on his feet due to lack of strength in lower core. This results in getting muscled around very easily

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 6 Forward

    Floor: Bottom 6 Forward

    Special Teams: PP (Left Flank, Distributor)

    Production Outlook: 20~ Goals, 50~ Points (Playmaker, Secondary Scorer)
    Pick Range: 2027 NHL Draft

    Player Comp: Jonathan Drouin

    Strengths:

    • Offensive Awareness: Understands how to utilize his teammates well in the offensive zone.
    • Playmaking Ability: Strong give-and-go plays create dynamic offensive rushes.
    • Puck Skills: Fluid with his stick movement when controlling the puck, anticipative.

    Weaknesses:

    • Shot Power: He lacks heaviness in his shot, limiting his scoring potential, making it easier for the goaltender to read. (Needs to build upper core strength).
    • Strength: Due to lack of lower core strength, he lacks balance greatly which then translates to him getting muscled off the puck easily by the opposition.
    • Willingness in Defensive End: Although plays sound on the rush, and square in position, isn’t sacrificial enough for the NHL level. Needs to be a bit more willing to get engaged physically.

    In-game Observations:

    • At the last-minute mark of the 1st, on the PP, wasn’t urgent enough to move the puck but also needs to be mindful of the risks of where he’s passing. He made a saucer pass to the middle of nowhere.
    • At 11:00 of the 2nd, showcased poise when handling puck in own end and creates his own rush through the neutral zone. When dumping it, could have been more engaging on forecheck.
    • At 6:34 of the 3rd, showcased his ability to thread the puck through the opposition for his teammate to redirect the puck quickly on goal.
    • Throughout this game, was very much contained physically, lacked a lot of urgency when on the rush along with him being in his own end, wasn’t sound positionally to create himself as an option.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6
    • Puck Skill: 6.5
    • Scoring Ability: 4.5
    • Playmaking Ability: 6.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 3
    • Defensive Play: 3

    #5 D, Michel Myloserdnyy
    Team: Lafleur (Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL)
    Height/Weight: 6’6″, 214 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: February 15th, 2008

    Overview:

    Michel Myloserdnyy is a physically imposing defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and intensity to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a consistent edge, excelling in physical battles and clearing the crease effectively. His shot is used rarely as he does keep it low to create traffic, but offense isn’t his main focus as he does not shoot the puck often. Michel’s main weakness lies in his puck handling, particularly under pressure or when carrying the puck up ice. His passing can be effective, especially short-range, but his long breakout passes remain inconsistent. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning, though his physical style sometimes leads to unnecessary penalties he’ll need to manage better.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 6 Shutdown Defenseman 

    Floor: Top 2 AHL Defenseman

    Special Teams: PK1/2

    Production Outlook: 10-15~ Points

    Pick Range: 150th-190th overall

    Strengths:

    • Physicality: Strong and imposing defender who thrives in physical battles, uses his body to drive opponents into the boards.
    • Defensive Play: Strong positional awareness, great at using his reach and stick to break up plays and prevent offensive pressure.
    • Skating Strides: Strong stride generates speed for him to win races.

    Weaknesses:

    • Puck Handling: Struggles when carrying the puck up the ice with confidence.
    • Passing: Inconsistent with long breakout passes.
    • Skating Lateral Movement: Needs to improve reverse skating and lateral movement to handle faster, smaller players effectively.

    In-game observations: 

    • At 5:05 of the 1st, showcased excellent use of his reach to close the gap on the rush and regain possession of the puck. It led to him breaking the puck out and obtaining an assist on first goal of the game.
    • In the moments before the 2nd goal, Michel was utilizing his frame to his advantage by throwing his body a lot and cleanly check the opposition.
    • At 9:20 of the 2nd period, Michel does a great job reading the clear, catches the puck just outside the blueline, creates a re-entry into the o-zone. Does showcase very choppy puck handling when entering the zone.
    • At 8:40 of the 3rd, yet again imposing his will physically, punishing his opposition on PK.
    • Sequence: In 13th minute of the 3rd, showcased increase in confidence at getting pucks on goal from far. Then when defending the rush, was too bent over and couldn’t fully get the most out of his strides.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 4
    • Puck Skill: 3
    • Scoring Ability: 3
    • Playmaking Ability: 4.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 7
    • Defensive Play: 6

    #21 D, Jan Golicic
    Team: Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL
    Height/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: June 30th, 2006

    Overview:

    Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 6 Puck Moving/Shutdown Defenseman 

    Floor: Top 2 AHL Defenseman

    Special Teams: PK2

    Production Outlook: 10-15~ Points

    Pick Range: 118th overall

    Player Comp:

    Strengths:

    • Defensive Play: Strong positional awareness, great at using his reach and stick to break up plays and prevent offensive pressure.
    • Skating Strides: Strong stride generates speed for him to win races.
    • Puck Distribution: Displays great consistency at moving the puck crisply. Keeps his passes very flat which aids transition greatly.

    Weaknesses:

    • Puck Handling: Struggles when carrying the puck up the ice with confidence.
    • Shot Power: Displays great intelligence of walking into shoot and following through low, though lacks a lot of emphasis on hip rotation to get that power off.
    • Skating Lateral Movement: Needs to improve reverse skating and lateral movement to handle faster, smaller players effectively.

    In-game observations: 

    • At 9:50 of the 1st, he was developing confidence at handling the puck and walking into the slot to shoot. He needs to put more emphasis on hip rotation when shooting. Throughout that shift, by gaining more puck touches, developed more confidence in the o-zone.
    • At 12:20 of the 2nd, Jan on the PP again does a good job taking the space and walking in to shoot. Although not powerful, he kept it low which created a rebound for his teammate, was credited with an assist.
    • Throughout the 2nd period, displayed crisp puck distribution to his linemates, aided transition of play greatly.
    • At 19:20 of the 2nd, showcased his ability to keep his puck distribution flat. Although his teammate didn’t hammer home one timer, Jan placed his pass in his teammate’s wheelhouse.
    • Throughout the game, wasn’t really imposing physically in the corner, lacked a lot of explosiveness to win races and relied on reach to do so.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 4.5
    • Puck Skill: 3.5
    • Scoring Ability: 3
    • Playmaking Ability: 5.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 5
    • Defensive Play: 6.5
  • Latvia vs Denmark at the World Junior Championship

    #14 F, Olivers Murnieks

    Team: Latvia (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL)

    Height/Weight: 6’1”, 195Ibs

    Shoots: Left

    DOB July 31st, 2008

    Overview:

    Olivers Murnieks is a well-rounded two-way centerman who brings consistency, smart positioning, and underrated playmaking to every shift. He plays a steady, reliable game, demonstrates support breakouts, winning battles, and linking plays without relying on flash. His stickhandling and footwork are efficient, and he rarely makes poor decisions. Offensively, his shot lacks power but is accurate and creates rebound chances, while his best asset is threading passes through traffic under pressure. Defensively, he’s composed and responsible, excelling in positioning, shot blocking, and penalty killing. His strong compete level keeps him engaged in all zones, using his edges well through transitions. To reach the next level, he’ll need improved shooting mechanics, puck poise, stride efficiency, being more physicaly assertive, but also, he will need to up his pace of play.Top of Form

    Bottom of Form

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 6 Centerman with PP and PK Versatility

    Floor: Top 9 Forward with defensive upside
    Special Teams: 
    PP (Left Flank/Distributor)/PK
    Production Outlook: 
    50–60~ Points
    Pick Range: 
    30th-45th Overall

    Player Comp: Alex Wenberg

    Strengths:

    • Versatility: Acts as a great sponge for his teammates.
    • Defensive Awareness: Consistently positions himself well and disrupts plays with interceptions and shot blocks.
    • Poise and Decision Making with the Puck: Composes a very calm and collective mind who makes smart decisions with the puck (Mistake Free).

    Weaknesses:

    • Shot Power: Needs to improve his mechanics to develop more power, specifically in his hip rotation as his windup.
    • Strength and Assertiveness: Although has NHL worthy size, he isn’t fully assertive at throwing the body. He also needs to scrap himself a spot at the net front by being more durable at getting into the dirty areas.
    • Lack of Explosiveness/Pace: Plays a little too calm and lacks urgency in certain plays.

    In-game Observations:

    • At the last-minute mark of the 1st, because of sound positioning, Murnieks was able to be stable and active in the o-zone, being a sponge to maintain o-zone pressure.
    • At 6:30 of the 2nd, yet again relying on playing sound in position and outworking the opposition, Murnieks made himself a wide open man in the slot and showcased quick snapshot mechanics, just the goalie made a good save.
    • Throughout the game, showcased great timing in the faceoff circle, won a good portion of faceoffs.
    • A few occasions in this game, he could have been a bit more engaged at winning races, demonstrating he isn’t consistent with his motor.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 5.5
    • Puck Skill: 6
    • Scoring Ability: 5
    • Playmaking Ability: 6.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 7
    • Character: 6
    • Physicality: 4.5
    • Defensive Play: 6.5

    #24 F, Daniels Serkins

    Team: Latvia (SC Bern, SM-Elite Swiss U20)

    Height/Weight: 5’9”, 165Ibs

    Shoots: Left

    DOB July 24th, 2007

    Overview:

    Daniels Serkins 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 3C / Penalty Kill Specialist

    Floor: AHL Top 6 Forward
    Special Teams: 
    PK
    Production Outlook: 
    15–25 Point Energy Forward
    Pick Range: 
    170th–230th Overall

    Player Comp: Blake Lizotte

    Strengths:

    • Versatility: Acts as a great sponge for his teammates.
    • 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.
    • Puck Skills: Needs to develop poise and confidence with the puck at a steady pace, not trying to force a play and letting the game come to him.
    • Size/Strength: Although showcases tremendous hustle at winning puck battles, he gets muscled off pucks easily due to smaller frame.

    In-game Observations:

    • At 0:50 of the 2nd period, when Serkins had the puck, he was spinning around a bit too much to the point where he jammed himself and turned the puck over. Lack of explosiveness.
    • At 8:50 of the 2nd, Serkins first made himself an option on the rush, showcasing heavy one-timer, then showcases ability to backcheck hard and win back puck possession in the neutral zone.
    • Showed consistency throughout this game at winning faceoffs in safe directions.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6
    • Puck Skill: 5
    • Scoring Ability: 5
    • Playmaking Ability: 4
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
    • Character: 7
    • Physicality: 3
    • Defensive Play: 7

    #18 F, Roberts Naudins
    Team: Latvia (Shattuck St. Mary’s, USHS)
    Height/Weight: 6’6″, 194 lbs
    Shoots: Left
    DOB: November 18th, 2008

    Overview:
    Roberts Naudins is a rangy, two-way forward who pairs a 6’6” frame with surprising agility and playmaking instincts. A standout for Latvia, Naudins uses his reach and vision to support offensive zone possessions and create space for teammates. He’s most effective when carrying the puck through the neutral zone, drawing defenders toward him, and opening passing lanes. Though not flashy, his ability to read the ice and make subtle plays elevates those around him. Defensively, he shows strong awareness and positional responsibility, consistently using his length to clog lanes and disrupt opposing rushes. Despite his size, Naudins isn’t yet fully engaged physically, oftenly avoiding contact and needs to improve his board play and puck protection. His stride lacks full extension, limiting his top-end speed, and his shot release is too slow to beat quality goaltenders consistently. Additionally, decision-making under pressure can falter as he overhandles the puck instead of simplifying plays.

    Player Projection

    Ceiling: Top 6 Centerman with PP and PK Versatility

    Floor: Middle 6 Checking Forward with some offensive upside
    Special Teams: 
    PP Net Front Presence/PK 2
    Production Outlook: 
    50–60 Point Power-forward
    Pick Range: 
    Top 20 Pick, 2027  Draft

    Player Comp: Aliaksei Protas

    Strengths:

    • Offensive Awareness and Support: Being a dependable player who lure’s his opponents in which creates support for his teammates by generating more open ice.
    • Lateral Movement for someone who is 6’6”: Gains a positional advantage due to his smoothness from one movement to the next.
    • Defensive Reliability and Positional Awareness: Positionally sound in his own end and leverages play with the use of his long reach.

    Weaknesses:

    • Stride Mechanics: Doesn’t generate the most speed due to shorter leg extensions.
    • Quickness in his shooting mechanics: Needs to be quicker in his hip rotation to get the most out of his shot.
    • Consistency in his decision making with the puck: Sometimes faulters under pressure and not leveraging his size enough for him to feel comfortable with the puck.

    In-game Observations:

    • Throughout the 2nd period, showcased ability to keep his feet moving very quickly, creating himself space in the o-zone, away from opposition.
    • At 16:30 of the 2nd, showcased crisp puck distribution and utilized teammates well, was credited with a secondary assist on Latvia’s 4th goal.
    • At 6:30 of the 3rd, Naudins temporarily lost the puck, backchecked and hustled hard, won the puck back and kept o-zone pressure alive.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6
    • Puck Skill: 5.5
    • Scoring Ability: 4
    • Playmaking Ability: 5.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 6
    • Defensive Play: 6

    #19 F, Bruno Osmanis

    Team: Latvia (IF Björklöven, HockeyAllsvenskan)

    Height/Weight 5’11”, 172Ibs

    Shoots: Right

    DOB: December 16th, 2006

    Overview:

    On the ice, he moves like a race car, combining swift agility with dynamic puck skills. A dynamic winger, Osmanis rarely misses finding open teammates, whether its from down low behind the net, or on the PP flank. His shot showcases great accuracy due to him following through on his shots, but he will need to not only build more lower core strength but also put a bit more emphasis in hip rotation to get more power off. He shows excellent offensive awareness, often in the right place to break up plays or create scoring chances. Defensively, he’s slightly, average capable of a solid poke check but tends to play too low, leaving a lot of space at the point. Where his game really excels is in his playmaking as he showcases tremendous vision and understands how to utilize his teammates. This is due to the smooth hands and good that he brings. Where his game drops is he doesn’t seem to be willing to bring some grit and plays the game on the outside instead of building confidence by driving to the net and getting into the dirty areas. This is where he needs to get stronger physically and be willing to throw the body.

    Player Projection:

    Ceiling: Top-9 Scoring Forward

    Floor: AHL Top 6

    Special Teams: PP2

    Production Outlook: 15~ Goals, 35-40~ Points

    Pick Range: 170th~ Overall

    Strengths:

    • Lateral Movement: Osmanis is great at utilizing his tomahawking ability to cut around the opposition.
    • Puck Handling: His quick hands are as agile as his feet, great at stride deking through the opposition. 
    • Vision/Offensive Awareness: Showcases great ability to utilize his teammates, can thread pucks through crowds. Though, he is over reliant on this strength.

    Weaknesses:

    • Lack of Size/Physicality: He really needs to build on muscle, gets not only muscled off pucks very easily, but also plays too passive physically.
    • Defensive Positioning: He can sometimes get out of position defensively, creating openings for the opposition from the point.

    In-game Observations: 

    • Throughout the whole game, although plays well in his position, he plays too passive on the outside, not getting active enough physically.
    • At 16:50 of the 1st, Osmanis jumped on a loose puck, created his own rush and cut through the opposition, this led to him getting an assist off of Latvia’s first goal.
    • At 6:05 of the 2nd, although known for playmaking, he did a good job developing a shooting mentality of getting pucks off quickly, just the goaltender made a better save.
    • At 9:52 of the 3rd, Osmanis took advantage of the faceoff dot immediately on the PP, displayed quick hip rotation and full follow through on shot, scored top shelf.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6.5
    • Puck Skills: 6.5
    • Scoring Ability: 6
    • Playmaking Ability: 6.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 3
    • Defensive Play: 3
  • Alberts Smits Performance vs Denmark WJC

    December 30th, 2025
    Latvia 6 VS Denmark 3
    Venue: 3M Arena at Marriucci

    #23 D, Alberts Smits

    Team: Latvia (Jukurit, Liiga)

    Height/Weight: 6’3”, 205 Ibs

    Shoots: Left

    DOB: December 2nd, 2007

    Overview:

    Smits thrives as a heavy shooting quarterback on the powerplay with seeing eye vision. He plays with composure and patience under pressure, rarely forcing plays and often outthinking his opponents. Offensively, he creates chances with smart activations and lateral movement at the point, especially when pinching in the offensive zone. His shot no doubt about it is considered to be his best offensive trait, showcasing effortless power and understands how to keep it low, due to his crisp follow through mechanics. Defensively, Smits excels in structured systems, using his reach effectively to break up odd-man rushes and control gaps. However, in one-on-one matchups, particularly against speedier forwards, he can get exposed due to limited acceleration and occasional overcommitment. His 6’3” frame is an asset, but he still relies too much on reach rather than consistent physical engagement. Improving his lower-body strength and explosiveness could significantly elevate his transition game and defensive impact.  When discussing his passing, although has the vision, does not make it the most crisp, not making it easy to transition up the rush or to receive it on the powerplay.

    Player Projection:

    Ceiling: Top-3, Goal Scoring Defenseman

    Floor: Top-5 Offensive Defenseman

    Special Teams: Power Play Quarterback

    Production Outlook: 55–65 Points

    Pick Range: 10th~Overall

    Player Comp: Jakob Chychrun

    Strengths:

    • Lateral Skating Mechanics: Allows him to transition with/without the puck very smoothly.
    • Poise in O-zone: Great offensive awareness and calm decision-making and understands how to utilize his shot.
    • Goal Scoring Ability: Effortless power and great accuracy due to great confidence when shooting along with understanding how to follow through his shot low.

    Weaknesses:

    • Passing/Puck Skills: Although has the vision to know where his surroundings are, his passes are not crisp, not aiding the transition of play. Also tends to be a bit sloppy when deking, should have the puck closer to him.
    • Skating Acceleration: While good mechanics, does not generate a lot of power/explosiveness in his strides due to lack of lower-body strength.
    • Physicality: Although good size, he does not use it enough to his advantage by throwing impactful hits (In this game, displayed great improvement by getting involved physically).

    In-game Observations: 

    • At 13:10 of the 1st period, Smits was showcasing his deking wasn’t the most coordinated and he turned the puck over in his own zone.
    • Throughout the whole game, showcased great confidence at getting pucks low and on goal, displayed quick yet powerful hip rotation mechanics. On the powerplay he drew a penalty at 2:30 of the 2nd, showcased confidence of walking in and quickly snapping it home.
    • At 2:30 of the 2nd, showcased great lateral footwork and agility to shield puck on the rush, he drew a tripping penalty on the opposition.
    • At 14:59 of the 2nd, he again showcases confidence when shooting, but most importantly, utilizing all of his linemates on the PP, displayed heavy wrist shot which was deflected in.
    • Throughout the game, although showcases ability to control gaps with reach, in his own end, he tends to chase after the opposition, leaving open space in his zone.

    Skater Ratings:

    • Skating: 6.5
    • Puck Skills: 5
    • Scoring Ability: 7.5
    • Playmaking Ability: 5.5
    • Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
    • Character: 5
    • Physicality: 5
    • Defensive Play: 6

  • Weekly 2026 NHL Draft-Eligible Three Stars

    The World Junior Championships are in the books now, and players have returned to action for their respective club teams. The trade deadline has passed across the CHL which puts the push for the postseason front and center for some teams, while others prepare for the future. As teams gear up for playoff races in the second half of the season, NHL staff and countless other draft observers will be eyeing talent for the 2026 NHL Draft. This week in the three stars, a Swedish forward gets some recognition for his strong work this season, a Finn has returned to the OHL with new life after his trip to Minnesota, and a Canadian center is already adjusting to new surroundings after being dealt.

    Wiggo Sörensson | C/LW | Boro/Vetlanda HC (SWE-DIV2)

    Swedish forward Wiggo Sörensson is having a very productive season, splitting his games between the U20 level and Division 2 hockey. He’s amassed 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) in 12 games with the Boro/Vetlanda HC U20 program and another 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 20 Division 2 games. Sörenssen may lack a little in physical tools at just 5 feet 11 inches and 181 pounds, but the rest of his game more than makes up for it. When playing at the U20 junior level, the April 2008 born skater has dominated the competition and showcased his offensive gifts over the last two seasons.

    Splitting time between Division 2 hockey and U20 Division 1, Sörensson led all draft eligibles last week with six points in three games. After not registering a point in his first game of the week, the Vetlanda, Sweden, native had six goals in the next two games. His biggest performance of the week was scoring all four goals in a 5-4 loss to the U20 Division 1 Alvesta SK club.

    Jasper Kuhta | C | Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

    After missing out on being selected in the 2025 NHL Draft, Finnish center Jasper Kuhta is putting together a case to be drafted in 2026. The 6-foot-2, 198 pound forward was impressive with Finland, finishing second in team scoring with eight points at his first world junior tournament despite a disappointing finish for his country.

    He returned to Ottawa after his sojourn in Minnesota and hasn’t missed a beat. On a Northern Ontario road trip against the North Bay Battalion, Soo Greyhounds, and Sudbury Wolves, the Helsinki native had five points in three games.

    Kuhta capitalized on the power play against the Wolves with just over three minutes remaining in the second period. After finding some open space in the right-side faceoff circle, he took a pass from Carolina Hurricanes prospect Filip Ekberg and buried a wrist shot. With 1:45 remaining in the second period, Kuhta doubled up. After the newly acquired David Bedkowski fired a shot, Kuhta quickly flipped the rebound in past the keeper on the backhand.

    Jean-Cristoph Lemieux | C | Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

    17-year-old Jean-Cristoph Lemieux’s week started with a big change. The 2025 U17 World Hockey Challenge gold medalist was dealt from the Windsor Spitfires along with a package of eight draft picks to the Sudbury Wolves for Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Alex Pharand and Seattle Kraken prospect Nathan Villeneuve. Lemieux has had a pretty seamless transition after moving from the team at the most Southern point of the province to one of the furthest north, with five points (three goals, two assists) in three games.

    He opened the week with a goal and an assist against the Greyhounds in a 6-2 loss for the Wolves. He picked up another helper for his lone point in a 4-2 loss to the Niagara IceDogs.

    He saved his best for last with a two-goal outing against the high-flying Ottawa 67’s. With the Wolves on the power play in the first period, Lemieux wound up a one-timer to put the Wolves ahead by one. With just over three and a half minutes left in the second period, Lemieux went streaking down the left wing and took a breakaway pass to send him in alone. He made no mistake one-on-one with Ottawa goalie Jaeden Nelson, faking a shot and then flipping a backhand over the keeper.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars: World Junior Edition Part Two

    The 2026 edition of the World Junior Championship has brought plenty of excitement in Minnesota, and the 2026 draft eligibles have been quite impressive at the tournament. Team Sweden advanced to the final in a thrilling shootout victory over Finland, with draft eligibles Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck playing big roles. Team Czechia continued its streak of dominance over Canada in elimination games at the tournament. With a stunning pair of late third-period goals, the Czechs will play against the Swedes to try to win the country’s first gold medal at the event since back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2001. Canada will look to capture its first medal in the tournament since 2023 in a bronze medal game with Finland. Here is the second group of three stars for the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Team Canada (U20)

    Gavin McKenna hasn’t been a necessarily dominant force at his second world junior championship but has still demonstrated throughout the tournament why many still have him as the number one prospect in the 2026 class. The Whitehorse, Yukon native led all draft eligibles in the tournament in points before the gold and bronze medal games with ten (three goals, seven assists) in six games.

    The top-ranked skater on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings had his big breakout game of the tournament in a 9-1 rout of Denmark. McKenna opened the scoring with a perfect power play goal. After taking a pass from Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage in the right faceoff dot, McKenna fired a perfectly placed wrist shot into the top corner before the Danish keeper could move over. In the second period, with Canada ahead 4-1, the Penn State prodigy found himself alone in the right faceoff circle yet again. This time it was Nashville prospect Brady Martin feeding him a dish that he served straight to the back of the net in a goal that was eerily similar to his first. With the game already well out of hand with Canada leading 6-1 and outshooting the Danes 35-8, McKenna showed off his slick hands to add insult to injury. Hage found McKenna with a slick cross-ice breakaway-like pass, and after faking a wrist shot, the 2024 CHL Player of the Year tucked the puck in behind the Danish keeper.

    McKenna added an assist in games against Finland, Slovakia, and the semifinal loss to Czechia.

    Viggo Björck | C | Team Sweden (U20)

    With teammate Ivar Stenberg stealing a lot of the headlines about Swedish draft eligibles this season, it might have been easy for Viggo Björck to go under the radar a little bit. That has not been the case. Björck and Stenberg, who have often been paired together on Sweden’s second line, have been almost equally as dangerous in the tournament. The pair are tied for third in tournament scoring among draft eligibles with Jasper Kuhta at seven points in six games.

    The younger brother of Vancouver Canucks prospect and teammate at the tournament, Wilson, only missed the scoresheet against Slovakia in the team’s opening game. The 11th-ranked skater on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Prospect Rankings scored twice in an 8-1 rout of Germany in the team’s third game of the tournament but saved perhaps his most impressive showing for the semifinal against Finland.

    With the Swedes deadlocked in a 2-2 tie in the second period, Björck helped keep the puck alive in the offensive zone. He forced a turnover straight to Stenberg, who fed Detroit Red Wings prospect Eddie Genborg, and he banked a shot off Finland’s goalie and in for the 3-2 lead. In overtime, Björck was a breakaway machine. He had four one-on-one chances on Petteri Rimpinen but was unable to solve the goalie. Björck also led Swedish forwards in ice time in the semifinal and was the best faceoff man for his team with 10 wins.

    Thomas Chrenko | C | Slovakia (U20)

    Slovakian center Thomas Chrenko entered the tournament with far less expectation than many other 2026 draft eligibles, but he put on a show that is surely going to make scouts interested. The 33rd-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Ranking finished second to McKenna in tournament scoring among draft eligibles before the gold and bronze medal games with eight points (five goals, three assists) in five games.

    Chrenko was held off the scoresheet in the tournament opener against Sweden but roared back with a vengeance in game two. He registered nine shots on goal against Germany and scored three of the Slovak’s four goals in the win.

    His signature game of the tournament came in a big moment against the host, the United States. In the middle of the first period, with the Slovaks already ahead 1-0, Chrenko unloaded a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot through traffic to give the Slovaks a two-goal advantage. The Slovaks trailing 6-4 with time running out pulled the goalie, and on an almost identical shot to his first, Chrenko drew his squad within one. With a teammate parked right in front of the American crease, Chrenko fired a shot that found its way through to give the Slovaks a chance just as the PA announcer blurted out there were two minutes left in regulation.

    Chrenko potted two assists against Switzerland in the Slovaks’ final group stage game. He and the rest of Slovakia struggled mightily against Canada in the quarterfinal. He only registered one shot and finished as a -4.