DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Category: Reports

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars: World Junior Edition

    The World Junior Championships are well underway, with preliminary games running through to the all-important New Year’s Eve games. The quarterfinals will start in the new year on January 2. While tournament rosters often skew towards already drafted players for countries to bring the best talent, the 2026 edition features a good crop of draft eligibles competing in Minnesota.

    Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | Team Sweden (U20)

    Ivar Stenberg’s exploits this season playing against men in Sweden’s top pro league already earned him a spot in a weekly wrap-up earlier this season, and against his peers he continues to dominate. The third-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings should solidify himself as a top player in this class with a strong tournament in Minnesota.

    He’s off to a good start in a pair of preliminary games with three points (one goal, two assists). In the tournament opener, Stenberg picked up a secondary assist on 2024 third overall pick Anton Frondell’s power play blast to open the scoring. With the game tied at two in the late stages of the third period, Stenberg took a feed from Eddie Genborg and took the puck to the net. He made no mistake with a slick backhand that he fed through the pads of the sliding Slovakian goaltender.

    In his second game of the tournament, Stenberg was all around the net. He recorded four shots on goal but wasn’t able to get one to go in. He did, however, add an assist on the Swede’s empty netter by Anaheim Ducks’ 2024 fifth-round pick Lucas Pettersson to close out Switzerland 4-2.

    Jasper Kuhta | C | Team Finland (U20)

    Jasper Kuhta was already catching scouts’ eyes with his production with the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL this season but could elevate his draft stock even more if he continues his strong play in Minnesota. The 19-year-old has 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games in his first season of North American hockey.

    He was all over the scoresheet in his team’s opening game of the tournament against Denmark. Just under two minutes into the game, Kuta fed the puck from behind the net to fellow undrafted 19-year-old Roope Vesterinen. He fired a shot and then popped in his own rebound for the 1-0 lead. Kuhta picked up primary assists on a goal by 2026 draft-eligible Oliver Suvanto and a second goal by Vesterinen as the Fins cruised to a 6-2 win.

    Kuhta notched his first career World Junior Championship goal in his second tournament game in an 8-0 rout of Latvia. Looking for Philadelphia Flyers prospect Max Westergärd in front, Kutha’s pass directed off the goal stick of keeper Mikus Vecvanags and into the net. Later in the game, Kutha added a secondary assist on another goal by Vesterinen in a thorough beatdown of Latvia.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Team Canada (U20)

    Gavin McKenna has had expectations heaped onto him for a very long time, and with good reason. The reigning CHL player of the year has been pegged as the top prospect for 2026 for a while. McKenna’s NCAA numbers don’t scream “number one overall” as loudly as some would like. 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) is good production for a player who just turned 18 on December 20. After some of the eye-popping numbers from college prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli in recent seasons, the hockey community was expecting a little more. Despite all that, his talent still has him as the number one overall prospect on the Draft Prospect Hockey NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.

    McKenna is off to a soaring start in Minnesota after finding the back of the net once for his only point in five games at the tournament last year in Ottawa. The Yukon native fed a perfect pass to Nashville Predators prospect Brady Martin, who put home Canada’s first goal of the tournament against Czechia. He added another primary assist in the third period as Canada broke a 3-3 tie. McKenna sent a saucer pass across to Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh. The 2024-25 CHL defenseman of the year skated around a little before firing a wrist shot up and over the Czechia keeper for his second goal of the contest.

    McKenna was instrumental in Canada’s second game of the tournament to help them escape a nail-biter in overtime against Latvia. After Canada was handed a five-minute power play, the Penn State Nittany Lion fed Calgary Flames prospect Cole Reshny in front. Reschny took a few steps before wiring a shot high blocker side for the 1-0 lead. On the man advantage in overtime, McKenna fed a on-time pass to Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage, who made no mistake wiring home the overtime winner.

  • Canadiens’ David Reinbacher Finaly Back on Track

    Canadiens’ David Reinbacher Finaly Back on Track

    The Montreal Canadiens have another high-quality prospect down on the farm, right-handed defenceman David Reinbacher. Now, his selection in Nashville at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft was controversial among the Canadiens fanbase, as many were hoping to add the Russian offensive winger Matvei Michkov. However, with the arrival of Ivan Demidov, it seems that the gamble paid off for team management as they now also await someone who is seen as a defenseman who can be a number-two in the NHL alongside Lane Hutson. 

    Part of the problem is that he doesn’t play a flashy style, which limits any fanfare he would otherwise get. His style is highly effective. He plays with a defence-first approach, mobility and ability to launch transitional plays means he will be an impact player that coaches will love. At 21 years old, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound right-shot defenseman maintains a rare profile.

    Photo: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography

    In 2025-2026 with the Laval Rocket, he has 10 points in 19 games, plus-3, and 8 penalty minutes. Last season, he had 5 points in 10 games with Laval, showing progression in his offensive play. The problem with Reinbacher is that he has missed time, and that slows his curve. Yet, since the recall of Adam Engstrom by the Canadiens, the Rocket have leaned heavily on the Austrian-born defender, and he is responding by playing his best hockey since arriving in North America. Now that he is the go-to defender in Laval, he is playing heavy minutes in all situations, regularly topping 25 mins per game.  

    Defensively, Reinbacher excels. His defensive reads on the rotation and switches inside his own zone within the team’s defensive scheme are still a work in progress, which will become far more effective the more games he can play at the AHL level before his jump to the NHL. But these things can come with time and the sort of structure that he’s likely to find himself in at the NHL level  

    He maintains a tight gap, matching his opponent’s footwork and staying inside their reach. He identifies opportunities to attack the opponent and then drives through their hands or uses a strong defensive stick to strip them of the puck. Physically, he uses his footwork to guide them to the outside ,where he can then seal them off along the boards. 

    Once he gains possession of the puck, he quickly transitions from defence to offence. 

    At the net-front, he easily boxes out opponents and wins rebounds and loose pucks with urgency and physicality 

    Offensively, his game isn’t as polished as his defensive game, but he does have quite a lot of untapped potential. The expectation is not for him to become a dominant offensive defenseman in the NHL; instead, the expectation is that he will be a stabilizing force that complements an offensive defenceman while also providing 40-plus point offensive defenceman well while also providing 40 plus point seasons regularly. 

    Reinbacher is already a capable puck-mover. His first step and smooth edgework all him to explode past any forecheckers. He can make a quick and accurate first pass or activate the rush if he sees a lane open up.  

    He is still a more straightforward north-south attacker and will need to add more east-west movements in his game to become more deceptive, as well as gain more experience in identifying when pressure is being applied on him as the puck carrier, for him to become a more effective player at the NHL level.  

    Reinbacher is finally on the right track to becoming the steady 2-way defender that the Habs expected when they drafted him 5th overall in 2023? After starting the past two seasons with an injury, he has never been able to keep good momentum with his progression. This is why he has not been able to get to the level expected of him yet. Nonetheless, it is looking like it is all falling together slowly. 

    Mental toughness has been on display since his time at the 2023 World Junior Championships in his draft year. There, he played the entire tournament while suffering from an illness that forced him to take fluids and rest between games. Since then, he has suffered multiple injuries that have forced him to miss significant time. His steady and positive approach has been the key to his ability to navigate the pressures of those issues, as well as being a top-five pick. The organization can afford to be patient, ensuring he is given the time to be fully prepared before making a permanent jump to the NHL. 

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    Another week of hockey is in the books, and a new group of young players are making a name for themselves this week. Niklas Aaram-Olsen helped his country dominate and earn a place at the next World Junior Championship. Ryan Roobroeck continues to find his game with a big week in the Ontario Hockey League. Finally, Sarnia Sting centerman Alessandro Di Iorio is picking up after an injury kept him sidelined for the first two months of the season.

    Check out what these players got up to in the last week of play.

    Niklas Aaram-Olsen | RW | Obero HK (SHL)

    Norwegian winger Niklas Aaram-Olsen helped his country earn promotion to the 2027 World Junior Championships and potentially boosted his draft stock in the process. The 19th-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings had 10 points (six goals, four assists) while guiding the Norwegians to five straight victories.

    The Norwegians thumped France 8-2 in the tournament opener, with Aaram-Olsen picking up a goal and an assist. In the second game, the team faced its stiffest competition with Ukraine taking them to overtime. In the extra frame, the speedy winger stole a puck and sped in on the Ukraine goal. During his dash down the wing, he dealt with some harassment from the Ukraine defender and was knocked down. The referee awarded him a penalty shot, and he made no mistake putting it into the back of the net. He waited patiently for the goalie to make a move and then slipped it coolly into the open cage.

    Aaram-Olsen posted back-to-back three-point (one goal, two assists) performances against Austria and Kazakhstan before adding an assist in a meaningless game against Slovenia in the final game.

    Ryan Roobroeck | C | Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

    Niagara IceDogs center Ryan Roobroeck is a hard-to-miss prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft simply because of his size and skill package. When the 6-foot-4, 216 pound force is on, it makes for some very exciting hockey.

    The 7th-ranked player on DraftProspects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings is continuing to show off his offensive prowess in 2026 after scoring 41 goals for the IceDogs in 2024-25. With seven points in three games over the past week, the London, ON native is trending in the right direction.

    Roobroeck’s big week got rolling against his hometown London Knights. He opened the scoring on the power play with a hard shot through traffic that found its way past the keeper. The second overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection kept things rolling for the IceDogs with his second goal of the period to give his team a 2-1 lead. After skating out of the corner with the puck, Roobroeck picked the corner with a perfectly placed wrist shot. He added a pair of assists later in the contest to pick up points on all four Niagara goals in a 4-3 win.

    Alessandro Di Iorio | C | Sarnia Sting (OHL)

    Sarnia Sting center Alessandro Di Iorio battled injuries for the first two months of his draft year. The Vaughn, ON native has returned to the lineup and is ready to vault himself into first-round consideration for the 2026 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound pivot has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 14 games since his return to the lineup.

    The 26th-ranked skater on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings had a slow start to the week with no points in a shootout win over Guelph and a single assist in an overtime victory against Flint. He exploded for three points (two goals, one assist) against Guelph in a second meeting that the Sting took home 6-4.

    Seeing an opening to create an odd-man rush, Di Iorio sped into the offensive zone. He took a pass and quickly fired a wrist shot into the empty side of the goal to open the scoring. Defending a 5-4 lead in the last two minutes of the third, Di Iorio jumped on a loose puck that had squirted out of the Sarnia end. He slipped it calmly into the empty net to give his team an insurance marker.

  • Goalie Spotlight CHL Edition

    The CHL continues to be one of the richest pipelines for goaltending talent, and the 2026 NHL
    Draft class is shaping up to be no exception. Across the three leagues, a variety of promising
    netminders are emerging some refining already polished skillsets, others showcasing raw tools
    that could translate exceptionally well at the next level.This second part of the series highlights
    another group of compelling CHL goaltending prospects, several of whom have the potential to
    hear their names called as early as the end of the second round. From technically refined
    movers to athletic upside swings, this collection underscores just how deep and diverse the
    CHL’s goalie landscape remains for the upcoming draft.

    William Lacelle
    2025/21/11 Gatineau 1 @ Rimouski 2 OT (QMJHL)

    Lacelle delivered a great performance, playing with noticeable confidence and presence in his
    crease. His aggressiveness stood out right away—he consistently challenged shooters above
    the blue paint without sacrificing angle coverage. His speed and fluidity in movement were again
    evident, reinforcing what previous viewings hinted at. In previous viewings, I noted that Lacelle
    could sometimes be too active, leading him to overplay certain situations. In this game,
    however, he maintained that same high activity level but with far more precision. Every
    movement was calculated, and he avoided overcommitting on developing plays. His edgework
    was the elite element of this viewing. He stayed patient on his feet even when working on
    aggressive edges, and when he did drop into the butterfly, his recoveries were immediate and
    explosive. He consistently popped back up with purpose, regaining angle coverage on rebounds
    and giving himself the tools to react to lateral options or secondary threats. Those recovery
    mechanics significantly contributed to his control of the game.The main concern remains his
    size. While he does an excellent job cutting angles with aggressive depth, there’s always the
    question of whether this element will scale effectively at the pro level. On the other hand, his
    athleticism and skating ability are clearly high-end—and those traits do tend to translate
    well.Considering all these factors, I could realistically see Lacelle being selected within the first
    three rounds of the draft.
    2025/16/11 Cape Breton 3 @ Rimouski 4 SO (QMJHL)

    Lacelle continued to impress with how effectively he managed his depth, staying just aggressive
    enough above the blue paint without overcommitting on developing plays. He maintained strong
    angle coverage through his progressions and flashed high-end lateral speed when needed to
    cut off dangerous lanes. His puck tracking remained a standout element, especially to the glove
    side and on low pucks, where he consistently kept his eyes locked on the play, even in heavy
    traffic or scramble situations. That sharp tracking also benefited him on cross-crease sequences
    and plays originating from behind the net, allowing him to move his body across quickly and in

    control to make the save. However, his tracking wasn’t as sharp when facing screens. He often
    tried to look over traffic despite not having an ideal size for that approach, or he would lean his
    torso in the direction of his head tilt when searching for sightlines. That led to delayed reactions,
    resulting in goals against or uncontrolled rebounds. Lacelle remains a prospect with a strong
    toolkit and meaningful upside, but these recurring question marks—particularly around his
    handling of screens—hold him back slightly from climbing even higher on draft boards.

    Jacoby Weiner
    2025/07/11 Moncton 3 @ Sherbrooke 4 (QMJHL)

    Weiner fits the modern goalie prototype scouts tend to gravitate toward. He’s tall, big, and
    extremely athletic. His movements are crisp, and he showed impressive mobility, allowing him
    to control his body and make saves from a variety of positions. However, this game also
    highlighted that he remains quite raw and projects more as a long-term development bet.The
    missing element in his profile right now is his hockey IQ. On multiple occasions, he looked more
    reactive than proactive. His reflexes are excellent, but his body wasn’t consistently set in optimal
    position to receive the puck, which led to compromised angles or pucks slipping through holes.
    He didn’t consistently anticipate developing plays or process threats early enough to position
    himself with intent—often reacting only once the puck was already headed his way. That said,
    the upside is real. With time, coaching, and structured development, he could round out his
    game and integrate more deliberate processing into his approach. He projects as a longer-term
    project who may require patience, but the payoff could be significant if everything comes
    together.
    2025/16/11 Québec 4 @ Moncton 1 (QMJHL)

    This was another game where Weiner showcased his high-end athletic toolkit. His mobility
    stands out, with wide, powerful edges and the ability to move through his crease with notable
    speed. His pushes and slides are explosive, and he recovers to his feet quickly and efficiently.
    Technically, Weiner demonstrated that he can maintain consistent positioning when the puck is
    between the dots, staying square and aligned to the shot. However, his positioning and save
    selection on perimeter and broken plays remained questionable. These situations led to some
    awkward saves and uncontrolled rebounds. His puck tracking also needs refinement, as he
    occasionally struggled to follow pucks cleanly into his body or to locate rebounds after the first
    shot. One recurring concern was his tendency to lean his torso forward in aggressive situations,
    which caused his glove to tilt downward and opened space over his shoulder. Overall, while
    Weiner’s athletic tools are undeniable, he still needs to clean up several elements of his game
    to solidify his position in this draft class. Even so, his upside is high enough that a team will
    almost certainly take a chance on him.

    Jason Schaubel
    2025/23/11 Kitchener 6 @ Oshawa 2 (OHL)

    Schaubel is, by modern standards, not a big goaltender and doesn’t fit the physical profile many
    scouts prioritize. However, when you put the size questions aside, it becomes clear that he
    brings a polished, well-rounded skill set—and this game was no exception. He once again
    displayed strong athleticism and excellent skating ability, but what stood out most was his
    positioning. In a matchup where his teammates did a solid job limiting high-danger chances,
    Schaubel was primarily tasked with showcasing his angle management and crease control. He
    remained tall and composed on point shots and handled screens effectively. On peripheral
    plays, he mixed small overlap stances and RVH entries, maintaining a consistent seal both on
    the post and along the ice. When pucks reached the slot, he transitioned cleanly into centered,
    stable positioning without compromising his structure. His recoveries were also a strength in this
    viewing. Schaubel reset to his feet quickly after initial shots, allowing him to face rebounds in a
    controlled, upright stance. While he wasn’t perfect in absorbing every puck, he compensated
    through efficient resets and calm body control. Size will remain a talking point, but the identity of
    his game is clear: Schaubel is a technically sound, positional goaltender who moves extremely
    well. His traits are projectable, and in my opinion, he deserves to be firmly in the discussion with
    other prospects slated for the middle rounds of the draft.
    2025/01/11 Kitchener 4 @ Brampton 0 (OHL)

    Schaubel delivered another strong performance, once again showing that his game is more
    complete than many of the goalies ranked alongside him. He blends strong positional
    fundamentals with excellent skating ability, making him difficult to beat on rebounds or lateral
    plays. In this matchup, his edgework and mobility especially stood out—he consistently adapted
    his positioning and reacted fluidly to unfolding pressure. His rebound control was solid overall,
    and when pucks did escape him, he compensated with quick, efficient recoveries. On several
    sequences, he read developing options extremely well, adjusting his angle to stay prepared for
    potential cross-crease plays without sacrificing his initial coverage on the puck carrier. Those
    reads highlight his strong hockey sense and awareness. As well-rounded as his performance
    was, a couple of technical points still need refinement. His depth management on plays
    originating from the corners remains an area to watch. In these situations, he often retreats
    toward the center of his crease rather than taking a small forward adjustment to protect the
    short-side shoulder—something a skilled shooter could exploit with a quick release before the
    puck reaches the middle of the ice. Additionally, he could improve his rebound management by
    incorporating his stick more frequently on low shots instead of defaulting to glove attempts.
    Overall, Schaubel continues to look like a solid and well-rounded prospect with middle-round
    draft appeal.

    Ryder Fetterolf
    2025/21/11 Ottawa 5 @ Kitchener 3 (OHL)

    It was a relatively quiet game for Fetterolf, who handled his workload well without particularly
    standing out in either direction. Although he’s primarily known for his quick feet and overall
    speed, it was his depth and positional management that were most evident in this viewing. He
    maintained strong angle coverage by consistently setting up near the top of the blue paint, and
    his small, controlled adjustments helped him stay square and balanced throughout.One element
    to monitor in future viewings is his save selection and positional awareness on rushes that
    extend toward the short side. Fetterolf opted to drop into RVH several times when the puck was
    closer to the faceoff dot than the goal line—an approach that, in my opinion, isn’t optimal in
    those situations. It limited his ability to influence the shot and control the rebound, leading to a
    few awkward impacts and loose pucks in unpredictable areas.My projection for Fetterolf
    remains unchanged: he’s a solid prospect with a good foundation. However, he’ll need to show
    a bit more upside and refinement if he hopes to surpass some of the higher-profile goalies in his
    class.
    2025/19/11 Ottawa 3 @ Kingston 2 (OHL)

    It wasn’t a high-volume game for Fetterolf, but he once again showed that he can stay sharp
    and compete throughout. He battled for every save without sacrificing structure or losing control
    of his technique. An encouraging progression in this viewing was his handling of short-side
    situations: he relied more on effective overlap and added depth rather than defaulting too early
    to RVH, which noticeably improved his angle coverage.However, even with his smaller frame,
    he needs to assert himself more inside his crease. At times he seemed affected by traffic in
    front of him, which limited his depth management—usually one of his key strengths. His puck
    tracking on long-distance shots also dipped when a body crossed his line of sight, which is an
    area that still requires attention. Taking these factors into account, I still expect Fetterolf to be
    drafted. But his long-term outlook is less certain, as I question whether he has enough upside
    and developmental runway to become a reliable candidate for the next level.

    Jan Larys
    2025/09/11 Blainville-Boisbriand 2 @ Drummondville 3 (QMJHL)

    Larys is a smaller-framed goalie who plays with a noticeably narrower stance than most in his
    class, and he uses it effectively to stay efficient in tight-area movements. His feet are quick
    enough to allow agile lateral adjustments within that stance, helping him stay aligned and

    composed on initial threats. However, while he’s solid in short-distance movements, he didn’t
    show high-end lateral speed or athleticism on longer pushes or slides. In fact, he rarely used
    traditional cross-crease pushes, yet still managed to arrive in position—square and on angle—to
    face shooters. This essentially summarizes the type of game he played: not clean or flashy, but
    undeniably efficient. His depth management was one of his stronger assets, as he consistently
    made good decisions based on the play unfolding in front of him. His compete level also stood
    out, giving him a chance on every shot and allowing him to battle through imperfect situations.
    That said, he struggled when faced with screens or scrambles. In those moments, he tended to
    lose his structure quickly, forcing him into sprawling, reactive saves. While he is effective and
    finds ways to make stops and collect wins, his game isn’t as polished as his stat line might
    suggest, and he lacks a standout defining trait that would drive significant upside. For now, I see
    Larys projecting in the back half of the draft, unless he can tighten up his technique and develop
    a more distinguishable strength.
    2025/06/11 Drummondville 5 @ Victoriaville 1

    Good game overall for Larys, result-wise, as he once again showed why he can be so
    efficient—while still raising several important question marks. On first shots, he was excellent.
    His positioning, depth management, and angle control were intelligent and consistent. He
    tracked the puck well and showed strong control on shots received from the waist up. In this
    particular matchup, that was enough, as he wasn’t forced to make many high-difficulty saves
    and benefited from strong defensive support. However, those strengths didn’t fully mask his
    underlying issues. In my opinion, Larys remains vulnerable on secondary plays and scrambles.
    He didn’t display much power in his pushes or slides when reacting laterally to cross-crease
    passes or recovering after rebounds. He also allowed a few loose rebounds on low shots,
    leading to scrambles where his technique seemed to break down and he lost control of his
    structure. Because of these elements, Larys does not currently project as a guaranteed
    draftable prospect for me. Still, his efficiency on initial plays and overall competitiveness make
    him worth keeping on a watchlist moving forward.

    Gavin Betts
    2025/28/11 Brampton 4 @ Kingston 1 (OHL)

    Clean game for Betts in this one. I’ve long tried to identify what his defining trait is compared to
    others in his class, and I think it’s his overall technical soundness and strong fundamentals. In
    this game, the list of positive technical elements was long: he was well positioned, stayed
    patient on his feet to maintain angle coverage, and his butterfly was clean with a consistent ice
    seal. His hands were active yet smooth, allowing him to either catch or redirect pucks efficiently.
    However, I’m still unsure about how well he blends these technical tools with the tactical side of
    the game. At times, he appeared a step late on certain play designs—sometimes due to a lack

    of top-end speed, and other times because he processed developing plays a bit slowly. He also
    struggled to track pucks on unscreened shots, giving up two goals that way.That could
    significantly hurt his draft stock, especially considering he hasn’t cleared the 6-foot
    threshold.While his fundamentals are very strong, they may not be enough on their own to
    guarantee a draft spot.
    2025/21/11 Peterborough 3 @ Kingston 2 OT (OHL)

    Betts continued to display his full arsenal of technical skills. In this viewing, what stood out most
    was his discipline and patience. He looked calm and relaxed in most of his movements, staying
    on his feet as long as possible before shifting into a more aggressive and crisp approach when
    the shooter committed to a release. He also did a good job identifying threats in front of him,
    and I even saw him loudly communicating those threats to his defensemen. That said, his
    overall tactical approach still needs refinement. One sequence, in particular, highlighted this: a
    shooter approached from the top of the circle on Betts’ short side, with no dangerous passing
    options aside from one player deep near the far-post goal line. Instead of stepping off his post to
    cut the shooting angle and eliminate the passing lane, Betts stayed anchored to the post. This
    opened the seam the shooter needed to send a pass across for a goal. By leaving his post
    earlier, he could have neutralized both threats at once. Betts also showed moments of
    inconsistency or slight nonchalance—similar to previous viewings—where he lost sharpness in
    his puck tracking and positioning, leading to two goals against that should have been handled
    cleaner. Even with such a strong base of fundamentals, these recurring question marks make it
    difficult for him to clearly separate himself from other similarly sized and similarly skilled goalies
    in his class.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    As the 2026 NHL Draft field continues to take shape, three CHL standouts are pushing their way into early first-round conversations. Prince Albert’s Daxon Rudolph is pairing a pro-ready frame with rapidly growing offensive impact, building on a strong rookie year and emerging as one of the WHL’s most reliable young defensemen. In Spokane, Mathis Preston continues to shine when stakes rise—his production may be modest, but his track record at major events keeps him firmly among the top forward prospects. And in Rouyn-Noranda, Lars Steiner is backing up last season’s breakout with efficient, near point-per-game play after returning from injury.

    Together, the trio showcases the range of high-end talent developing across the CHL—and why each remains a key name to monitor as the 2026 draft class starts to take shape.

    Daxon Rudolph | RD | Prince Albert Raiders

    Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Daxon Rudolph is the ninth-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 Prospect Rankings. The Lacombe, AB native caught scouts’ eyes in his WHL rookie campaign in 2024-25. He produced 41 points (seven goals, 34 assists) in 64 regular season games and followed it up with 12 points (a goal, 11 assists) in 12 games.

    The 6-foot-2, 203 pound rearguard already has a pro build, and his continued growth offensively in his second major junior season should keep him in the top half of the first half of the 2026 NHL Draft. Rudolph added six points (three goals, three assists) in four games this past week to bring his total up to 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 27 games this season.

    He was instrumental in helping Prince Albert claim a victory over Edmonton to finish the week. With the score tied at two with just over five minutes left to go in the second period, Rudolph saw an opportunity and jumped up quickly on a breakout. He took a pass in stride at center ice and sped in alone on goal, firing a wrist shot up and over the goalie’s blocker-side shoulder and breaking the tie. In overtime with his team on a 4-on-3 power play, he parked himself beside the net and redirected a pass into an almost empty net.

    Mathis Preston | C | Spokane Chiefs

    Spokane Chiefs center Mathis Preston played a big-time role for Team Canada White at the 2024 U-17 World Challenge. He scored a tournament-leading six goals, but none bigger than his game-winning one-timer against Canada Red in the final.

    Preston hasn’t had the kind of production in his draft year that jumps off the page: 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 27 games, but he has continued to impress on some of the biggest stages. He was Team CHL’s top scorer at the second-ever CHL vs. Team USA Prospects showcase, with a goal and two assists, and tied for the team lead in points as Canada won a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky tournament.

    Preston, the eighth-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 Prospect Rankings, helped his team to three wins in four games this past week, with four points. He averaged five shots per game, with a high of eight against the Swift Current Broncos . The 5-foot-11 middle man used his signature one-timer on the power play to give his team a 5-4 lead late in the third period.

    Lars Steiner | RW | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

    Rouyn-Noranda winger Lars Steiner is a name to watch from the Quebec Maritimes junior circuit for the 2026 NHL Draft. The Switzerland native was on the CHL’s All-Rookie team last season after posting 60 points (23 goals, 37 assists) in 57 games. Despite missing 12 games with an upper body injury earlier this season, he has come back and is producing at almost a point-per-game pace.

    Steiner fired four shots on goal while picking up a goal and an assist in his team’s first game of the week against Charlottetown. He was held off the scoresheet against Moncton in his second game of the week despite taking nine shots.

    The 20th ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 Prospect Rankings polished off the week with an insurance marker to help his team defeat Halifax 4-2. The 5-foot-10 winger found some open space in the defense and one-timed a pass into the net to help give his team the two-goal cushion midway through the third period.

  • 2026 NHL Draft: QMJHL Prospects Rising Into First-Round Territory

    2026 NHL Draft: QMJHL Prospects Rising Into First-Round Territory

    The QMJHL fell on some lean years at the NHL Entry Draft as they went without seeing even one player from the league be selected in the first round in 2023 or 2024. The drought came to an end in 2025 when three QMJHL players were selected in the first round and 19 in total were selected, which was an increase from 12 in 2023 and 15 in 2024. 

    The 2026 class looks to be stronger than the 2025 class, which could indicate the discussions to overhaul the development systems in Quebec should slow down. Here is a list of five QMJHL players who are challenging to become first-round picks in 2026. 

    Xavier Villeneuve – Left Defence – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada  

    Based purely on his offensive skill, Villeneuve is a top-10 pick. This season, he is on pace for more than 80 points and has been the source of most of the offence for the Armada. He oozes confidence when carrying the puck, and he has excellent offensive hockey IQ, anticipating plays and openings before they happen, even forcing player movements that open up those opportunities that he then exploits. 

    “Xavier is an electrifying offensive-minded defenseman with great agility and dazzling puck-handling abilities up the rush, showing significant potential for the 2026 NHL draft as a 1st round pick.” – Tyler Ballesteros-Willard

    He is a smooth skater with good edgework and mobility, using quick punch turns and change-ups in speed to create space. But his risk-taking does come at a cost defensively. Villeneuve is much smaller than you’d want from a top defenseman. 

    Standing at  5’11’’ and 157 pounds, his size and strength deficiencies will be an issue, as they can limit his effectiveness defensively. He can’t rely on strength to win physical battles in the corners or in front of the net; instead, he will need to use body positioning and quick reactions to win leverage in any battle. He will be a bit of a project for teams, but the Lane Hutsons and Quinn Hughes’ of the world show how even smaller offensive defencemen can transform a team’s offensive potential.  

    Egor Shilov – Centre, Victoriaville Tigres  

    Shilov is a skilled 200-foot center who has a high hockey IQ and can be used in any situation. He’s also quick and aggressive, but lacks consistency from game to game as at times he can be slow to react defensively or to take advantage offensively of a misstep by his opponent. When he is on his game, his defensive play is impressive. He can be difficult to handle along the boards, but also in open ice, where he can adeptly funnel opponents to the outside before cutting them off along the boards or allowing his defencemen to do the job. He is also active low in his own zone, helping to provide support for his defenders, and providing a target to help launch the transition game with a controlled zone exit. 

    Offensively, after 27 games in the 2025-26 season, Shilov sits second in team goals (14) and tied for first in total points (35) with Victoriaville, putting him on an 80+ point pace on the season. He uses his frame effectively in the offensive zone as well, where he excels in the cycle game, winning board battles before creating offensive opportunities for his linemates.

    He is a pass-first player, with a preference to make centring plays from below the goal line, but he does possess a heavy and accurate shot, especially off the rush.  His game translates well to the professional levels, and his faceoff abilities and defensive game will be his ticket to breaking through to the top 32. 

    Olivers Murnieks – Centre – Saint John Sea Dogs 

    Murnieks has been Latvia’s top player on the international stage and is a lock for the Under-20 World Junior Championship team in 2026.  He already plays a pro-style game, keeping it simple with a north-south style, which allows him to backcheck effectively and engage physically. His defensive positioning in his own zone is consistently excellent, and he uses his 6’1’’ 190-pound frame to break up the cycle with well-timed pinches. He has a strong hockey IQ, allowing him to anticipate developing plays and react accordingly. 

    He is relied upon for important faceoffs and can be trusted to play in any situation. His skating form does look inefficient, but with some refinement, it could become a strength. In the meantime, his edgework and mobility issues are made up for with good straight-line speed. Offensively, he is a threat in the slot, using his size to battle into the high danger areas. He boasts above-average playmaking skills as he can place accurate passes through traffic and has a good release with his shot in close. Murnieks translatable two-way game and ability to engage in all three zones points to a ceiling of a two-way, penalty killing third-line centre. 

    Oleg Kulebyakin – Right Wing -Halifax Mooseheads 

    This player has forced his way into this conversation. He was not seen as a top prospect at the start of the season with a W rating from NHL Central Scouting as a potential 6th/7th-round pick, but has since forced his way into the conversation in the top two rounds. Drafted ninth overall by Halifax in the CHL import draft, Kulebyakin was well-travelled in 2024-25 playing for five teams across five leagues. Yet he consistently remained a scoring threat, scoring 47 goals in 55 games played between those five teams. This season, the trend continues as he has 17 goals in the first 25 games played with the Mooseheads, leading the team in goals (is eighth in the QMJHL) and leading in total points (31).

    Offensively, the Russian winger shines. He plays at a high pace, using that to his advantage, cutting time and space from defenders, causing them to rush plays. He excels at generating small-area plays. Once he has the puck on his stick, while he does have excellent puck handling and one-on-one skills, he prefers to keep to the simple plays, using speed to get past defenders and using give-and-go passes before letting loose a hard and accurate shot with a quick and deceptive release. He also has the confidence and skills to hold possession for that extra second to draw out defenders from their established defensive positions, opening up new lanes that he can exploit with a quick pass or use as a shooting lane. He is also adept at finding gaps in high danger zones and is unafraid of battling through coverage to get to scoring areas. 

    He can play a physical style, not initiating contact but battling through it in the offensive zone. He will need to add some strength to his 5’ 11’’ and 176-pound frame if he wants to remain effective at the next level.  Kulebyakin plays with a high pace and brings energy to every shift, showing an ability to jump from one battle to the next along the boards, to the front of the net. His skating abilities are still raw as he needs to elongate his stride to add power and speed, as well as improve his edgework to allow him the ability to change directions without losing speed, which is necessary for his offensive game to translate to the pro ranks. Defensively, he is still a work in progress as he does miss assignments in his own zone and is still cheating to the offensive side of the puck in the hopes of a quicker zone exit pass. He has top-six upside but is still seen as a long-term project to refine his game. 

    Lars Steiner, Right Wing, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies  

    Lars Steiner had a strong D-1 campaign as he had 60 points in 57 games and was named to the CHL’s All-Rookie team. This season, the 5-foot-10, 176-pound forward is an offensive threat, scoring five goals and 14 points in 15 games. He unfortunately missed 12 games due to an upper-body injury. He is also relied upon to play a leadership role, as he was named an assistant captain. The Swiss import plays with no fear, going to the dirty areas and paying the physical toll to do it. He is a skilled playmaker with a good shot, which he uses to keep defenders guessing on which tool he will use, a pass or a shot, forcing them to respect the shot, and buying himself an extra split second to allow the play to develop. He has good vision and anticipation, allowing him to make the right play without risking a costly turnover.  

    He is able to play at a high pace, but he can also slow the play down depending on what the team needs in the moment. He brings a strong and consistent work ethic to every shift. He has good skating ability, displaying a good first step and excellent top speed, at which he can still anticipate and complete plays effectively. Defensively, he is responsible, tracking back quickly to assist in cutting off the middle of the ice in the neutral zone, then playing a positionally sound defensive game in his own zone, where he can play physical if necessary but also use his stick to cut off lanes and stifle the attack. The injury may hurt his chances to break into the first round, but his skill set and consistency could be enough to have him break the top 32. 

  • Whitby Silver Stick Invitational

    The Whitby Silver Stick Invitational is one of the premier showcases, serving as a proving ground for players hoping to make their mark with junior and college scouts. Many of these athletes are still a few years away from NHL Entry Draft eligibility, but the tournament has long been a launchpad for future stars, with countless alumni advancing to the different CHL leagues and eventually the NHL. This year’s event featured 30 teams across six pools, producing thrilling preliminary-round battles and razor-thin outcomes. Ontario clubs dominated the field in numbers, but it was the two superior Michigan-based programs who stole the spotlight in final stages

    It was my first time attending this tournament and, therefore, my first viewings of almost all players. Still, here are some standouts I noted:

    Brady Nash wearing 58 for Don Mills Flyers  – 

    Forward – Jan 14, 2010 – Thunder Bay, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1053449/brady-nash

    An energetic left-shooting centre who was always putting pressure on the opposing puck carrier. He makes up for his average height by throwing hard hits in the open and firing off stiff shots from up close. He was quite noticeable on the PP

    Ronan Quinn wearing 17 for Markham Majors – 

    Forward – Jun 12, 2010 – Stouffville, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1048269/ronan-quinn

    A tall imposing lefty forward who comes down the wings with quick handles. He attracted the backtracking defenceman towards him before making a smart pass over to produce a scoring play. 

    Walker Connor wearing 11 for Philadelphia Jr Flyers – 

    Forward – Apr 21, 2010 – Paoli, PA, USA

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1021405/walker-connor

    A tall skilled right wing who goes to the net with rushes or sets up aiming to move D for clearer lanes. Solid feints with the puck, in motion 1 on 1.  Still pretty lanky with an interesting frame to fill in. 

    Jakub Kuklinski wearing 88 for Mississauga Senators  – 

    Forward – 2010 – Bolton, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1053346/jakub-kuklinski

    A large righty forward with smooth hands who opens shooting lanes for himself. He circles around in the offensive zone with intent and fluidity, maintaining control through traffic. Gets goals on rebounds from in close as well with his quick hands. One of my favourite players so far.

    Mason Wohlers wearing 20 for BK Selects –

    Defenseman – May 20, 2010 – Somers, CT, USA

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/998592/mason-wohlers

    A tall right shooting D who protected the front of his net and tied up sticks. His explosiveness is a work in progress but one at the blue line he’s patient with his lateral passes and shots when lanes clear up. 

    Leo Acker wearing 42 for Chicago Mission – 

    Forward – May 28, 2010 – Chicago, IL, USA

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1018259/leo-acker

    A smaller right wing with blazing speed. He caught the puck in transition and let off a quick wrister with no wind up to pick off an open spot high blocker. His game right now is mainly focused on creating offense. Additional attention to defensive zone play will make him a more desirable prospect.

    Tanner Adams wearing 13 for Hill Academy – 

    Forward – Jun 03, 2010 – Porcupine, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1033915/tanner-adams

    An imposing forechecker with thunderous checks along the boards. Right handed, he moves from A to B with purpose and handles the puck beautifully through the neutral zone. I didn’t get to see his release or shot velocity. 

    Marko Mesich wearing 31 for Toronto Jr Canadiens – 

    Goalie – May 23, 2010 – Oakville, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/936781/marko-mesich

    A wide goaltender with efficient side to side movement. Economical in his butterfly usage. He had a solid lead in the third that evaporated. The goals he gave up were on surprise plays from behind the net or clean shots from close. 

    Sam Nowlan wearing 16 for Little Ceasars – 

    Forward – Jan 26, 2010 – Saint-Grégoire, NB, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1046444/samuel-nowlan

    A physically mature left shooting Centre originally from NB. He’s uneven in the faceoff circle but won his battles in the corner and established his position in the front of the net. Jumped on loose puck for a quick chance is on net or rebound opportunities for his line mates. The first game I saw was a mismatch and he took advantage of it.

    Luke Lawson wearing 1 for Mississauga Reps –

    Goalie – Jul 31, 2010 – Aurora, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1059154/luke-lawson

    Listed 6’02.5 left catching goalie. He covered the bottom really well with quick adjustments and kept his rebounds out of the blue paint. I liked his calm demeanor. He kept his team in the game almost until the end before giving up 2 on redirections late.

    Rico Champagne wearing 90 for Toronto Jr Canadiens – 

    Forward – Sep 29, 2010 – Toronto, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1093921/rico-champagne

    A smaller crafty RW who’s not afraid to get in tough areas. Seems responsible at both ends and uses his quick feet to get places, anticipating where the puck will end up.  Catches rebounds net front to cash in on extra chances. 

    Logan Prud’homme wearing 55 for Upper Canada College – 

    Forward – Aug 02, 2010 – Ottawa, ON, CAN

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/967703/logan-prud-homme

    I had first seen him at the Cross Border Challenge in the summer of 2024, he was tall and lanky and took on the whole team to score. I said if he fills in he’ll be a beast. Now listed 6’7 the right handed centre is a great puck handler out of his zone, unafraid to take on checkers through the neutral zone and drive the net. Strong on draws. He’s unmovable once he gets to the front of the net. 

    Based on their places of birth, most players across the 30 teams will be eligible for the OHL draft. Still, I noted some QMJHL draft eligibles

    Bishop’s Kearney:

    20 RD Mason Wohlers 

    26 RD Jayden Tillman 

    98 LW Jackson Conroy 

    Little Caesars:

    16 C Sam Nowlan 

    Pens Elite:

    8 RD Colton Kelly 

    Upper Canada College

    14 C Damian Norris 

    Hill Academy

    86 C Mika Richard

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    We are now into December, and the scouting calendar is ramping up with more opportunities to see the top prospects in action. This past week was dominated by centers that are trying to make their case as to why they will be part of the solution down the middle for an NHL club in the future.

    Muskegon Lumberjacks captain Tynan Lawrence is back in action and is out to prove his billing as the top center prospect available in 2026. Maddox Dagenais got to show off his game for the many fans and scouts that flocked to Alberta for the Team CHL vs. USA Prospects Challenge before going back and helping his club team capture two big victories. Finally, Swedish center Alexander Command is drawing eyeballs to his play as one of the top draft-eligible players in his league.

    Tynan Lawrence | C | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

    After impressing the hockey scouting community with 54 points in 56 games with Muskegon in his pre-draft year, Lawrence is starting to prove in 2026 why he deserves to have his name called on day one. The top-ranked center on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings missed the start of the season while he was rehabbing an injury but has played in six games since returning to the lineup. The 2027 Boston University commit has nine points (six goals, three assists) in those contests.

    Lawrence was all around the net this week in three USHL matches, firing a total of 22 shots. His signature performance came in the second half of a back-to-back with four points against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

    Eight minutes into the first period, Lawrence won an offensive zone draw that his linemate Victor Norringer sent on goal. The rebound came free and was pounced on by the Lumberjacks for Lawrence to pick up the secondary assist. With the game knotted at one goal each in the middle of the second period, Lawrence sped in on a two-on-one with 2025 Pittsburgh sixth-round pick Carter Sanderson and popped in the rebound to make it 2-1 for the Lumberjacks. The Shattuck St. Mary’s product potted two empty-net goals in the third to secure his first career USHL hat trick.

    Maddox Dagenais | C | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

    Quebec Remparts centerman Maddox Dagenais has the kind of size and a skillset to make him a very fascinating player to watch in the lead-up to the 2026 NHL Draft. The first overall pick in the 2025 QMJHL is 6-foot-4 and 196 pounds and has already tied his goal total (12) from his rookie season through 25 games this season.

    Dagenais joined Team CHL this past week for the second annual CHL vs. USA Prospects Challenge and, despite starting on the fourth line, managed to contribute. Late in the second period with his team trailing by one, Dagenais fed a pass to a wide-open Alessandro Di Iorio, who buried a quick wrist shot to tie it up.

    Returning to the Remparts for a pair of games after the showcase event, Dagenais potted three goals and an assist with six shots in two decisive wins.

    Alexander Command | C | Örebro HK U20 (U20 Nationell)

    Swedish center Alexander Command is off to a hot start in U20 Nationell play this season with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 18 games. The two-way pivot’s play against his peers this season in international play has also been impressive, with seven points (three goals, four assists) in four games.

    Playing in three games this past week, the 6-foot-1, 183-pound pivot recorded four points. In his second game of the week, against Rögle BK U20, he tied the game at one just shortly after the opponent had scored. After his team got a clean break-in, Command jumped to some open ice in the slot. He avoided a weak stick check by a defender and then stepped into a one-timer that beat the goalie cleanly. He added a second assist later in the period, while on the power play, to help tie the game at two. Command fed his teammate beside the Rögle goal, who slipped a feed to a wide-open man on the other side. He ripped a quick one-timer to tie the game at two and give Command his second point of the contest.

  • CHL Goaltender Draft Eligible Spotlight

    The CHL has long been a key pipeline for NHL-draft talent, but this season presents a different
    kind of storyline in net. While it may not be the strongest year for CHL goaltenders at the top of
    the class, the league still features a deep group of intriguing prospects, each offering flashes of
    potential, yet without a clear-cut No. 1 or true consensus among scouts.
    This first instalment highlights several draft-eligible goaltenders who have stood out in early-
    season viewings, showcasing a variety of skillsets, developmental paths, and projection
    questions. From technically polished netminders to raw, tools-heavy projects, this part one aims
    to set the stage for a class defined more by breadth than by a headline star.

    Zachary Jovanovski
    2025/11/14 Windsor 5 @ Guelph 8 (OHL)

    Underwhelming game here for Jovanovski, coming off a recent B-grade from NHL Central
    Scouting. His primary strength was on full display, as his positioning remained strong and his
    overall movement looked smooth and coordinated. When plays developed in tight, he adopted a
    more aggressive stance, giving himself an edge on shooters and using his posts effectively to
    redirect back toward the middle of the crease.However, there were several elements in this
    viewing that raise questions about his upside as one of the higher-ranked goalies in his class.
    His skating looked average, lacking the power and explosiveness needed in lateral movements,
    and he often appeared a step late on his recoveries. Screen management was also an issue:
    traffic in front disrupted his posture too easily, and his reactions on screened shots were
    noticeably slow. On one sequence, he reacted so late that the puck was already released
    before he had fully set, resulting in a goal.Overall, it’s easy to see the surface-level traits that
    make Jovanovski appealing to scouts, but this performance also highlighted several areas that
    will need close monitoring as the season progresses

    2025/11/08 Guelph 3 @ Flint 6 (OHL)
    Another game where Jovanovski looked calm and in control in his crease. He handled his relief
    appearance well, staying precise in his routes and maintaining generally strong positioning and
    squareness. He also showed quicker feet than usual, particularly on his butterfly
    recoveries.However, the concerns remain. He still lacks the high-end speed and explosiveness
    needed to close space efficiently or beat lateral passes. His screen management continues to
    be an issue as well, he was too relaxed, often trying to look over traffic rather than working
    around it. As a result, he was again late reacting to several point shots. At the next level, he’ll
    need to track through bodies with more urgency and retrieve pucks more aggressively.After

    these viewings, I’m still uncertain about where to slot Jovanovski in the rankings. He will
    certainly hear his name called in June, but based on his current profile, I don’t view him as a
    lock for the top 64.

    Parker Snell
    2025/14/11 Edmonton 3 @ Victoria 1 (WHL)

    It was a relatively quiet night for Snell, but that didn’t stop him from showcasing how effectively
    he can control and manage a game. He rarely drifted out of position, avoided giving up
    dangerous rebounds, and neutralized threats efficiently, never allowing the opposition to build
    momentum. Despite not being the tallest goaltender, Snell consistently looks big in his stance:
    keeping his chest tall, his hands active, and using his hip mobility to widen his base and
    maximize angle coverage. His post play was another standout element. He sealed the post
    cleanly on short-side pressure and used it as a springboard to explode back into his crease with
    strong, controlled movements. However, there were moments where his stick discipline in the
    butterfly created avoidable openings. On one short-side rush, he attempted to cut the passing
    lane even though the puck carrier showed no real passing intent, leaving the five-hole exposed.
    He made the save, but the shooter could’ve easily targeted that gap. A similar issue occurred
    later on another short-side sequence, where exposed space between the pads contributed to a
    goal off a missed pass. Overall, Snell’s technical foundation is very strong, and if he maintains
    this level of structure under a heavier workload, he has the potential to solidify himself as one of
    the top goaltending prospects in this class.

    2025/29/10 Lethbridge 6 @ Edmonton 8 (WHL)

    I really like how Snell conducts himself in the crease, blending control, patience, and just the
    right amount of aggressiveness and explosiveness. His stance and posture are nearly flawless:
    knees bent, weight balanced, and consistently prepared to move even in a more relaxed setup.
    That foundation allows him to make precise micro-adjustments, track the puck cleanly, and
    remain set for incoming shots. However, the opposing team found success when they
    committed bodies to the front of the net, exposing an area where Snell still needs refinement.
    He struggled at times to locate pucks off rebounds directly in front of him, and his recoveries in
    tight looked a bit sluggish. These sequences revealed a gap in his ability to manage traffic and
    re-set quickly after initial saves—an area he’ll need to sharpen if he wants to keep pace with
    other goalies ranked ahead of him. Despite these flaws, Snell remains an intriguing prospect.
    His technical base and overall poise give him a high floor, and his consistency throughout the
    season will determine whether he rises in the rankings or stays where he is.

    Carter Casey
    2025/08/11 Brandon 7 @ Medicine Hat 4

    It was an up-and-down game for Casey, who looked like two completely different goalies across
    the halves. Early on, he was sharp and decisive, moving with impressive quickness and power.
    His pushes and slides were clean, and despite being an extremely active goalie, he managed to
    slow his game down just enough to stay square and on angle. He tracked the puck well,
    absorbed rebounds efficiently, and displayed strong control in his crease. In the second half,
    however, his play recognition noticeably dipped. He struggled to identify passing threats and
    committed too soon to the initial play, leaving himself exposed to secondary options and
    allowing at least two goals because of it. His posture and overall seal also became inconsistent,
    leading to a couple of through-the-body goals. On top of that, his stick management
    wavered—his five-hole opened up on multiple occasions, creating unnecessary vulnerability.
    Casey has a lot of tools and physical attributes that could make him a complete goaltender and
    one of the top prospects in his class. But he needs to use those tools with more consistency and
    sharpen his awareness and play-processing habits. Without that layer of refinement, the
    physical gifts lose much of their impact.


    2025/25/10 Medicine Hat 4 @ Kelowna 3 OT (WHL)
    It was a high-volume game for Casey, who stayed sharp from start to finish. His
    competitiveness stood out immediately.He’s an extremely active goalie who refuses to give up
    on any shot or sequence, and he has the athletic tools to adjust on the fly and make difficult
    saves look routine. On the surface, he checks a lot of boxes that scouts look for, and this game
    certainly reinforced that. However, despite the strong performance, questions about his overall
    hockey IQ remain. Casey often plays on the reactive side, relying heavily on his athleticism to
    respond to plays rather than anticipating them. On several occasions, he failed to identify
    developing threats or didn’t adjust early enough to the play unfolding in front of him, leading to
    goals against or unnecessarily dangerous rebounds where a more controlled read could have
    produced a routine save. Leaning this much on pure athletic ability can look impressive in
    isolated moments, but it’s unlikely to be sustainable at higher levels of competition. Casey
    remains fairly high on my list because the physical tools are undeniable, but his ability to
    continue rising will depend on showing more projection, processing, and play awareness as the
    season progresses.

    Harrison Boettiger
    2025/11/08 Kelowna 6 @ Victoria 3 (WHL)

    Boettiger is a highly active goaltender who leverages his mobility to cover as much net as
    possible without losing structure. In this game, his butterfly play stood out the most. He
    generated powerful, precise slides while maintaining strong upper-body posture, and his
    combination of mobility and pad control allowed him to seal the ice effectively. He also
    redirected low shots with controlled kick saves, placing rebounds into safe areas.That said, he
    relies heavily on the butterfly. He dropped to his knees quickly and, at times, chose to slide
    when holding his edges and moving laterally on his feet would have been the better option.
    Increased patience on his skates will be important for his long-term development.Despite these
    areas for refinement, Boettiger clearly looks like one of the top goaltending prospects in his
    class.


    2025/11/05 Kelowna 6 @ Penticton 2 (WHL)

    Boettiger delivered another strong performance in this viewing. Although he wasn’t challenged
    much with high shots, he excelled at taking away the lower part of the net. His seal was
    consistently excellent, using his hip mobility to stay compact and controlled, and he once again
    showed why he’s among the best butterfly-based prospects in this draft class. His slides were
    powerful yet smooth, with impressive precision, and his posture remained tight when down.One
    recurring issue, however, is his tendency to lean slightly too far forward in the butterfly. That
    forward tilt makes him appear smaller and leaves more exposure up high, giving shooters
    potential scoring windows. He also had some difficulty with his kick-save rebounds, which too
    often landed in the slot or other dangerous areas. Using his stick more proactively to redirect or
    neutralize those pucks would benefit him greatly.Overall, Boettiger continues to grow on me with
    each viewing. If he maintains this trajectory, he could earn a high spot on my draft rankings by
    the end of the season.

    Marek Sklenicka
    2025/14/11 Prince Albert 5 @ Seattle 4

    Not a bad game for Sklenicka, who is a goalie that relies heavily on his size and positioning. He
    consistently found ways to set himself square and on angle, sometimes using quick and crisp
    adjustments in his crease. His size alone gives you a chance on every shot.However, in this
    viewing, I questioned his speed and athleticism when it came to handling what follows after the
    initial save or read. His athletic limitations were evident in his lateral movements and
    recoveries: he often fell behind the play and lost control of his positioning, leaving him
    exposed. His short-range rebound control is also something to monitor throughout the season,
    as a few pucks dropped into the slot and created dangerous opportunities and
    scrambles.Overall, I think Sklenicka is a solid goalie and should be considered a middle-round

    option for the draft. If he can add a bit more consistency in his athleticism, I’m sure scouts will
    quickly warm to him.

    2025/11/11 Wenatchee 1 @ Seattle 4 (WHL)

    Good start for Sklenicka, who was tested early with a couple of odd-man rushes. He handled
    those situations perfectly, reading the passing threats and secondary options while adjusting his
    body positioning accordingly. I really liked how he managed himself in the crease.He showed
    higher-than-average hockey IQ and a strong understanding of developing plays. His post play
    was also solid, sealing the posts well in RVH and transitioning smoothly into the butterfly to
    return to the middle of his crease while maintaining a consistent ice seal.That said, I still find
    that Sklenicka lacks high-end quickness and athleticism, which could impact his draft stock.
    Controlled, intelligent performances like this one can help balance that weakness to some
    extent, but improving his overall explosiveness will be key as the season progresses.

    Vladislav Yermolenko
    2025/14/11 Niagara 3 @ Kingston 4

    Yermolenko is a smaller goalie, but he blends several intriguing traits—most notably strong
    positioning. He’s consistently on time to the play, maintaining great angle coverage and
    squareness even without high-end speed. In this viewing, he occasionally adopted a more
    aggressive approach, such as using the overlap to cut down angles, and while he isn’t the most
    athletic, he generated impressive power and speed on his lateral pushes. I was also impressed
    by his glove hand, catching pucks with ease and smoothness throughout the game. However,
    while his slides showed good power, he needs to rein them in. He often pushed without enough
    precision, overshooting and overcommitting on certain plays, which cost him energy and made
    recoveries slower. He also created a few scrambles by allowing low-shot rebounds into
    dangerous areas. Yermolenko has tools and looks sharp technically, but projecting him high on
    draft boards remain difficult at this stage, largely due to his size.


    2025/6/11 Niagara 3 @ Ottawa 4

    Yermolenko once again showed that his main strength lies in his positioning and overall crease
    presence on the initial shot. However, it wasn’t enough in this viewing, as his smaller frame and
    average athleticism led to frequent scrambles on recoveries and lateral plays. While
    Yermolenko remains an interesting prospect thanks to his strong fundamentals, I struggle to see
    an NHL projection at this stage given his size and overall athletic limitations.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    Although the 2026 NHL Draft class is still developing, prospects are already making waves in the hockey community with their standout performances. This week continued to demonstrate why Ivar Stenberg, Viktor Fyodorov, and Caleb Malhotra are rapidly becoming must-watch names. Here’s a closer look at how these three prospects in the draft further developed their cases this week.

    Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | HC Frölunda (SHL)

    Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg has all the tools and the kind of production against men in Sweden that points to him being a potential star in the NHL. The younger brother of St. Louis Blues’ 2023 first-round pick Otto had already proved he was adept at playing against older competition last season when he torched J20 Nationell with 53 points (26 goals, 27 assists) in 27 games. Stenberg put himself firmly on the radar for NHL scouts as a top draft-eligible player for 2026 with a strong performance at the 2025 U-18 Men’s World Championships with 13 points (8 goals, five assists) in seven games to help Sweden claim a silver medal.

    The 6-foot, 181-pound playmaker is producing at a historic level in the SHL with 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 21 games. If he can continue his pace, he will top Daniel Sedin for the best points per game by a draft-eligible player in the league’s history. Stenberg, the third-ranked skater on the DraftProspects.com 2026 NHL Draft Rankings, had a slow start to the week. He was held pointless in a 2-1 loss to Grenoble in Champions Hockey League play, then picked up a primary assist in a 3-0 win over Malmö in a return to SHL play. In his third game, Stenberg broke out for four points (one goal and three primary assists), playing just under 13 and a half minutes, in a 5-2 win over Leklands.

    Holding onto a 3-2 lead in the early stages of the third period, Stenberg nabbed the insurance marker for Frölunda just two and a half minutes into the frame. The slick Swede sped in from his spot on the wing to pick up a loose puck from his teammate beside the Leklands net. After his first attempt to jam the puck past the goalkeeper failed, the rebound came right back to him, and he ripped a quick wrist shot up and over.

    Viktor Fydororov | C | Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)

    Viktor Fyodorov is the highest-ranked Russian skater on the DraftProspects.com 2026 Draft Rankings. The two-way center has been shuffled between the KHL, VHL, and MHL this season but has managed to catch scouts’ eyes. Fyodorov has struggled to put up points in the VHL with just five points (two goals, three assists) in 17 games but has a point per game in five MHL contests and two points in three KHL games.

    Fyodorov is listed at 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, which would be on the smaller side for an NHL center. He has dominated the faceoff dot with a 55% winning percentage against his peers but has played wing when called up to the KHL. The Tomsk, Russia, native had a productive week against MHL competition with a goal and two assists while firing 10 shots in two games. He also played in his third KHL game with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

    With Torpedo trailing 3-2 midway through the third, Fyodorov joined the forecheck to harass the Spartak Moskva goalie as he left the net to play the puck. After a teammate blocked the goalie’s pass attempt, he slipped a pass to Fyodorov, who cleanly popped it into an empty net to bring his team back even and nab his first KHL goal.

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) 

    Caleb Malhotra’s OHL career started with a trade from Kingston to Brantford. Originally bound for Boston University in 2026, the NCAA rule changes allowed for him to play his draft-eligible season in the OHL. The son of longtime NHL player and current Abbotsford Canucks head coach, Manny, has taken on the second-line center role for a dominant Bulldogs outfit.

    The 6-foot, 170-pound pivot is third in the OHL among draft-eligible players with 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 23 games. Playing in just two games this week, Malhotra picked up four points (two goals, two assists) in the second game after being held off the scoresheet by the Niagara IceDogs.

    With the Bulldogs already holding a firm 4-1 advantage over the Sarnia Sting, Malhotra helped add more insult to injury in the middle of the second period. After the Bulldogs’ aggressive forecheck recovered the puck in Sting territory, Malhotra settled into some open ice beside the net and tipped home a one-timer from Adam Jiricek. Malhorta added his second goal of the contest on the power play on a similar play where the Bulldogs’ passing around the zone left Malhotra wide open for a tap-in.