Category: Reports

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.