25 D, Chase Reid Soo Greyhounds (OHL) 6’2”, 187 lbs, DOB: 30/12/2007

Overall Scouting Report:
Chase has quickly become a leader on the ice with the Soo Greyhounds. Chase has the intelligence,
confidence, and ability to adapt his skills to make smart decisions on the ice. Using these skills he
creates a calm approach to the game, limiting mistakes, and creating more scoring chances. Chase’s
high hockey IQ, exceptional vision, hockey sense, and ability to generate offence. He is a skilled skater, and his ability to switch from defensive to offensive play sets him apart. His edge work, north-
south skating, and stick work pose challenges for the opponent. His confidence and skills ensure that he is calm and prepared on the ice. I feel that Chase will be a top 10 pick in the 2026 draft.

Skater Category Summary:
Skating: 8
Puck Skill: 8
Play-making ability: 8
Hockey IQ: 8
Physically: 8
Defensive Play: 8

Game Reports:

Soo Greyhounds vs Sudbury Wolves Oct, 30/2025:
Chase had a very strong game on the ice. Right from the start of the game Chase was playing a hard
two way game. Using his size, strong skating, and a calm confidence to help set the tone for the
Greyhounds. In the defensive zone Chase was using his size, and strength to keep the net front clear.
He also used that strong skating, and stick work to create havoc for the Wolves. Offensively, chase was
running the power-play, and creating offensive opportunities for the Greyhounds.
G: 0 A: 1 +4 PIM: 0 SOG: 2

Soo Greyhounds vs North Bay Battalion Oct. 31/2025:
Another strong game for Chase. All game Chase was setting the tone with his size, throwing some
quality hits in the neutral and defensive zone. He had positive presence on special teams, using his
hockey IQ and confidence to remain calm in all situations. Strong stick work in the defensive zone,
along with his size and strength made it easy for his goaltender to see the puck. Chase’s ability to
move from defensive to offensive rushes makes him an excellent overall defenseman.
G: 1 A: 0 +2 PIM: 2 SOG: 4

BCHL Okotoks Oilers (3) @ Sherwood Park Crusaders (7) October 31, 2025 @ 19:00

Joseph Sinclair, #91 Sherwood Park Crusaders – October 6, 2007. Right shot centre. 5.10 /176. 2-way Centre

Strength: Smooth skater with strong edge control. Drives to the front of the net to create traffic and generate scoring opportunities, contributing to a goal. Displays a clear team-first mentality, playing an unselfish, pass-first style.
Opportunity: His team-oriented approach can sometimes hold him back from showcasing his individual skill and offensive presence.

Forecast: Probably a career ‘AHL’ candidate, but could sneak into the later rounds for a team willing to take a chance. 

Skating: 6

Shooting: 6

Passing: 5

Puck Handling: 6

Hockey IQ: 6

Physicality: 4

Offensive upside: 6

Defensive upside: 5

Gleb Semenko, #29 Sherwood Park Crusaders – March 21, 2008. Left shot right wing. 5.09/137. 2-way forward

Strength: Solid skater with good edge control. Willing to engage physically and mix it up when needed. Moves the puck well, showing strong awareness and vision. Has a nice shot and competes hard every shift. Effective in the bumper role and contributes in multiple areas of the game.
Opportunity: None noted

Forecast: Probably a career ‘AHL’ candidate, but could sneak into the later rounds for a team willing to take a chance. 

Skating: 6

Shooting: 4

Passing: 6

Puck Handling: 6

Hockey IQ: 6

Physicality: 6

Offensive upside: 4

Defensive upside: 5

Danick St. Pierre, #10 Sherwood Park Crusaders – May 13, 2008 Left shot right wing. 6.02/185. 2-way forward

Strength: Strong edge work and a high compete level. Battles hard and stays engaged throughout the play.
Opportunity: Needs improvement on the defensive side of the puck. Has limited puck touches, and when he does have possession, decision-making can lead to unforced turnovers.

Forecast: Unlikely to get drafted. 

Skating: 7

Shooting: 4

Passing: 5

Puck Handling: 4

Hockey IQ: 6

Physicality: 4

Offensive upside: 4

Defensive upside: 5

BCHL Sherwood Park Crusaders (1) @ Spruce Grove Saints (2) November 1, 2025 @ 19:00

Gabriel O’Brien, #8 Sherwood Park Crusaders – April 3, 2008, Left shot left wing. 6.03/198. 2-way forward

Strength: Strong skater with good tenacity. Shows impressive compete level — drew two penalties on one shift and stayed focused, getting right back into the play instead of engaging the ref. Willing to go to the net and battle for position.
Opportunity: Needs to play heavier on the body. When he does engage physically, he tends to get in too tight, leading to holding penalties instead of clean checks. Can be knocked off his feet too easily.

Forecast: Unlikely to get drafted. 

Skating: 7

Shooting: 4

Passing: 4

Puck Handling: 4

Hockey IQ: 4

Physicality: 4

Offensive upside: 4

Defensive upside: 4

Gage Brandon, #82 Sherwood Park Crusaders – June 10, 2008, Left shot left wing. 5.10/148. 

Strength: Limited sample size to evaluate.
Opportunity: Skating needs improvement. Didn’t see much ice time — only about three shifts over two periods — making it difficult to assess overall impact.

Forecast: Unlikely to get drafted. 

Skating: 4

Shooting: 4

Passing: 5

Puck Handling: 4

Hockey IQ: 4

Physicality: 4

Offensive upside: 4

Defensive upside: 5

WHL Prince George Cougars (1) @ Vancouver Giants (2) November 2, 2025 @ 17:00

Arseni Anisimov, #8 Prince George Cougars – November 25, 2007 – Left shot defenseman. 5.11 / 174

Strength: Anisimov is a Uses an active stick effectively. Strong skater who closes gaps quickly and holds the blue line with confidence.
Opportunity: Could improve his overall quickness to better match elite forwards with high-end foot speed. Needs to sharpen situational awareness, particularly in tracking opponents behind him when he shades toward one side of the ice. Adding more strength would help him win a higher percentage of board battles.

Currently not listed and I feel it is unlikely he will get drafted. 

Skating: 4

Shooting: 4

Passing: 5

Puck Handling: 4

Hockey IQ: 4

Physicality: 5

Offensive upside: 6

Defensive upside:6

Kayden Lemire, #28 Prince George Cougars – January 27, 2008 – Right shot right wing. 6.04 / 194

Strength: Shows decent agility for a big player. Willingly blocks shots and uses his size effectively to play a physical game. Extremely strong and capable of overpowering opposing defensemen in front of the net.

Opportunity: Needs to play with more assertiveness in the defensive zone. Could benefit from improving his speed. Tends to favor a dump-and-chase approach rather than carrying the puck over the blue line and driving to the net. Took an undisciplined penalty behind the play in the neutral zone during this viewing.

Currently not listed and I feel it is unlikely he will get drafted.

Skating: 4

Shooting: 4

Passing: 4

Puck Handling: 5

Hockey IQ: 4

Physicality: 6

Offensive upside: 5

Defensive upside: 4

Ivar Stenberg is a highly skilled, offensively driven forward who plays with pace,
creativity, and strong hockey sense. He displays poise and confidence with the
puck, consistently making smart reads and controlled plays under pressure.
Stenberg excels at creating offense through movement — he’s quick in
transition, supports the puck well, and has the skill to beat defenders one-on-
one.

His shot is a growing strength: accurate, deceptive, and capable of beating
goaltenders cleanly when given space. Stenberg’s playmaking is equally
impressive, showing the ability to anticipate passing lanes and execute with
precision. He’s effective both as a primary puck carrier and a complementary
offensive piece who reads the ice well off teammates.

Skating is a major part of his game. Stenberg has a quick first step, smooth
edges, and the agility to separate from coverage. His stride is efficient, allowing
him to maintain pace through the neutral zone and apply consistent pressure on
the forecheck.

Like many young offensive players, Stenberg will need to continue refining his
play away from the puck. At times, he can drift high in the defensive zone or lose
structure on coverage. Strength and physical maturity will also be key as he
progresses — adding muscle to better handle contact and sustain pressure along
the boards. Improving consistency in defensive positioning and puck support will help him
evolve into a more complete player.

He can for sure reach a offensively intelligent top-six forward with play-driving
ability and scoring instincts. Projects as a versatile winger or center capable of
impacting games through skill, vision, and pace.

He is already now a forward with top power and game-breaking skill.
Stenberg is a Power-play contributor — effective as a half-wall distributor or
shooter. Potential to develop penalty-kill utility with improved defensive
structure.

Expected to be a top offensive producer for Frölunda’s U18 and U20 programs
as he matures physically. Has the tools to become one of Sweden’s premier
2009-born forwards with continued refinement in all-around play.

61#— | F | Viggo Björck
Team: Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Videoscouting: Leksand 1:3 Djurgarden
By Jocke Andersson, Head Scout Sweden
Height/Weight:
177 cm / 5’10”, 78 kg / 172 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: 2008
Draft Eligible: 2026

Viggo Björck is a skilled and competitive forward who blends high-end hockey
sense with an advanced understanding of offensive spacing and timing. He plays
a fast, intelligent game, consistently creating plays through pace, anticipation,
and quick execution. Björck’s ability to process the ice makes him an effective
dual threat, capable of finishing with precision or setting up teammates with
sharp, on-time passes.

His skating is a major asset: smooth stride mechanics, strong edge control, and
quick acceleration allow him to attack off the rush or change direction fluidly in
tight spaces. He plays with tempo, constantly in motion, and is effective at
sustaining possession through balance and agility. Björck’s shot features a
clean, deceptive release that can beat goaltenders from mid-range.

Away from the puck, he competes with discipline and effort. He tracks back
responsibly, applies pressure on the forecheck, and shows a willingness to battle
in contested areas, all traits that enhance his projection as a reliable, modern
forward.

Björck would benefit from adding more muscle to better absorb contact and hold
his ground in board battles. While his offensive instincts are strong, developing
more patience with the puck and improving his small area play under pressure
will elevate his effectiveness against elite defenders.

Björck continued improvement in his consistency shift-to-shift and physical
engagement will help round out his game as he transitions to higher competition
levels.

He is Intelligent, high tempo forward with legitimate top six upside. Projects as
a creative play-driver who can contribute to multiple offensive situations while
maintaining strong effort and structure.

In the future he has top six offensive upside with strong transition
play and power-play potential. At the moment, he is now middle-six forward who contributes secondary offense and energy while maintaining responsible two-way habits.

He is a projected power-play contributor with potential to play on the flank or
net-front. Could earn penalty-kill minutes long-term due to compete level and
skating ability.

Björck has been a steady offensive performer in Djurgården’s junior system, and
his skating and hockey sense suggest strong translation to U20 and international play. Expected to maintain solid point production and continue upward development as one of Sweden’s 2008-born forwards to watch for 2026.

1 Slovakian Center and 2 OHL Wingers Shine

Another week of hockey is in the books, and more young stars are making their cases to be top prospects in the 2026 NHL draft. Slovakian center Tomas Chrenko continued his dominance this season against competition that is much older than him. Pierce Mbuyi showed off his playmaking ability in three wins for his club, and Nikita Klepov maintained his lead atop the OHL scoring for draft eligibles.

Tomas Chrenko | C | HK Nitra (Slovakia)

After dominating in U20 Slovakia competition to the tune of 61 points (30 goals, 31 assists) in 28 games in his predraft year, Chrenko began to get some recognition as a potential late first-round pick entering the season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound center has played in 17 games so far already this year with HK Nitra’s pro team after getting into 26 games with the club last year.

With more weeks like this past one, Chrenko is sure to catch the eyes of NHL scouts. He opened the week with a two-goal outing in U20 play, helping his team secure a 6-4 victory. Called up to the big club for his second game of the week, the Slovak played just over 17 minutes and registered two assists in a 5-2 loss. He closed out the week with a goal and two assists in 15 minutes of ice time in a 5-0 win. After his team got the zone entry, Chrenko charged the net. The puck went back to the point, and defender Matej Baca fired it on goal. Chrenko quickly fired the rebound past the goalie to give his squad a 3-0 lead.

Pierce Mbuyi | LW | Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Mbuyi, who won the OHL Rookie of the Year award in his first season with Owen Sound (52 points in 63 games) last season, has started the 2025-26 campaign with a scorching 24 points through 18 games. After registering 38 points in 33 games after January 1st last year, the highly skilled winger seems to have figured out how to rack up points in the OHL.

Mbuyi picked up an assist in wins on Wednesday and Saturday for the Attack and then exploded with a goal and four assists in an 8-3 victory over the Erie Otters on Sunday. After Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Harry Nansi took a big hit to get the puck into the Otters’ zone, Mbuyi snatched it up and skated it in. He then fired a perfectly placed wrist shot past the Otters’ goalkeeper to break the 2-2 tie with 3:12 left to go in the 2nd period.

Nikita Klepov | RW | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Nikita Klepov has started the 2025-26 campaign on a heater with 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 17 games. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medalist with the United States in August, where he picked up six points in five games, is garnering plenty of attention for his accolades so far.

The 6-foot, 181 pound winger put up six points (four goals, two assists) in three games this past week. His biggest game came in a 6-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires, where he registered a pair of goals and added a helper. Klepov got his first of the contest by being in the right place in the offensive zone to pick off a clearing attempt and then had a nearly wide-open wrist shot that beat Windsor goalie Joey Costanzo cleanly over the blocker. He added the daily double while 4-on-4 in the second period. Using the Spitfires defender as a screen, Kelpov fired a wrist shot that caught a peice of Costanzo’s shoulder and trickled across the goal line.

September 20, 2025
Windsor Spitfires v. London Knights
WFCU Centre
Ethan Belchetz #61, F
Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
6’5”, 227 lbs, DOB 2008-03-30
Belchetz gave a strong performance in the home opener against London, earning
himself a 2-point game (1G, 1A), with the game winning goal. Going into the home
opener as a high-profile pick and delivering the points under the spotlight showed his
composure and that he does not disappear or play tentatively. His one-timer was from a
dangerous area (right circle) and was well-executed with his quick release and
precision. Recognizing the 5-on-3, he set himself up in that scoring position, speaking to
his IQ and situational awareness, especially against a disciplined and talented team like
London. While his stats were offensive, in a game where Windsor limited opportunities
and maintained control, Belchetz was not drifting defensively and was part of a
successful system to shut London down. Where Belchetz can improve is his awareness
to his size. As a tall forward, his skating will need continued refinement. Accelerations,
edgework, and transitions will be critical to keep pace as competition stiffens. He could
improve his speed by lengthening his stride. Standing at six foot five, he can lean into
his stride and length of his legs to do the work for him and keep his endurance. Big
forwards often absorb more physical play and hits. As the season progresses and
opponents target him, he’ll need to maintain physical resilience. Belchetz projects as a
power winger with the potential to be a middle to top 6 forward at the NHL level, with
value in net-front presence, physicality and scoring.
Skater Category Summarization:
Skating: 6
Puck Skill: 7
Scoring Ability: 8
Hockey IQ: 7
Character: 8
Physicality: 6
Defensive Play: 6

September 20, 2025

Windsor Spitfires v. London Knights
WFCU Centre
Logan Hawery #26, F
London Knights (OHL)
5’10”, 170 lbs, DOB 2008-03-15
Hawery was the only Knight player to get on the board tonight. In a game where London
struggled, being the source of offense gives value. Even in a loss, Hawery had
something to show for his offensive efforts. He was able to capitalize on the man
advantage, finding a scoring lane from the slot to wrist one home, showcasing his
powerplay awareness. He has a dangerous wrist shot and will snipe it when given the
smallest amount of time and space. Where he lacked was his defensive game.
Throughout Windsor’s continued pressure, nothing stood out about his defensive
awareness, speaking to the – 3 he had tonight. As a centre, he needs to be more
aggressive in the defensive zone and on the backchecks. His size may limit him, but
tonight’s game was not a fair judgement of that as the Knights struggled as a whole. If
he can improve his consistency in his 2-way game and continue offensive pressure, he
can push himself toward the higher levels and become a key depth player in the NHL.
Skater Category Summarization:
Skating: 6
Puck Skill: 6
Scoring Ability: 7
Hockey IQ: 7
Character: 7
Physicality: 4
Defensive Play: 5

September 20, 2025
Windsor Spitfires v. London Knights
WFCU Centre

Caleb Mitchell #77, D
London Knights (OHL)
5’11”, 180 lbs, DOB 2008-03-17
Mitchell is one of the go-to defencemen for the Knights, being used regularly and
earning top minutes on the blue line. He displayed responsible gap control and
situational awareness throughout the game, being a constant support in the transition
game. He had a momentary lapse in decision-making under pressure when he was
called on a delay of game penalty, one that is easy to avoid. He was positionally smart
on the regroups and he looked comfortable with the puck, made outlet passes and
skated pucks out under pressure rather than a routine dump. Offensively, Mitchell was
visible jumping into the play to keep pucks alive in the zone and used his mobility and
edgework, which allowed him to join those offensive rushes. There were a couple
instances where Mitchell got caught on a risky pinch and the Spitfires were able to
quickly counter the pressure, this exposure wasn’t costly to him today but being mindful
of when to pinch and being aware of the support (or lack thereof) is crucial for a young
defenceman to learn. Although he does not have an overly large frame, he competes
physically, engaging in board battles and being dominate in his positioning in front of the
Knights’ goaltender. However, he did get out-muscled at times, showing a gap in
strength development. Overall, it was a promising but imperfect performance – a lot to
like from an offensive transition standpoint and with clear, fixable developmental points.
If he cleans up his situational reads and adds strength without losing his mobility,
performances like this fit the profile of a middle-pairing, puck-moving defence who can
play power-play minutes and drive transition.

Skater Category Summarization:
Skating: 6
Puck Skill: 6
Scoring Ability: 4
Hockey IQ: 6
Character: 7
Physicality: 6
Defensive Play: 7

Team Lafleur 6 vs Team Crosby 5 Shootout

#2 D, Xavier Villeneuve

Team: Lafleur (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL)

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 157 lbs

Shoots: Left

DOB: September 29, 2007

Overview:

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. Known for his tremendous confidence in carrying the puck and reading the offensive zone, Villeneuve brings a unique flair to the back end for the Armada as even though he is quite the risk taker, he is excellent at understanding when to take risks for the team’s own good. When looking at offensive defensemen, Villeneuve does an excellent job at utilizing his shot as much as he can to cause havoc, or even score. However, his small size limits his effectiveness in physical battles in the corners as, and he’ll need to add a lot of strength to succeed at the NHL level because even though the league has many smaller players now, the league is now as physical as ever and he will need to get ready to endure long 82 game seasons.  

Player Projection

Ceiling: First Pair Offensive Defenseman 

Floor: Top 4/5 Offensive Defenseman, PP QB. (If not, unlikely NHL shot)

Special Teams: PP1 Quarterback

Production Outlook: 55–65 Points

Pick Range: Mid 1st Round

Strengths:

• Skating and Edgework: Villeneuve’s agility is elite, with quick pivots and tight turns.
• Puck Skills and Passing: Soft hands make his passing smooth and effective, supporting his offensive style. 
• Offensive Awareness: Villeneuve has the confidence and vision to be quite the quarterback from the blue line in any scenario (Not even on the powerplay).

Weaknesses:

• Physicality and Balance: Building strength is an absolute must for him to him to be more durable.
• Defensive positioning and decision making with the puck in his own end. 
• Discipline: Needs to be mindful of how he possesses himself, especially how he handles external factors.

In-game observations: 

• At 3.5-minute mark of the 1st, in the offensive zone, although played too high, showcased confidence with the puck and skating, weaving through the blueline and passing to Cossette-Ayotte.
• At the 1st minute of the 2nd period, was not mindful of where he was passing the puck and created a turnover in his own end.
• Near the end of 4-on-4 in the halfway mark of the 2nd, where it seemed that Villeneuve trapped himself, he exploded very quick out of it and distributed to Blais.
• Near the halfway mark of the 3rd, Villeneuve received the puck from Myloserdnyy, and then he sprung Ovcharov with a flat and hard breakout pass off the boards.

Skater Ratings:

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

The 2025–26 hockey season continues to roll on, and several top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft are already turning heads with strong performances across their respective leagues. From the OHL to the WHL and the NCAA, young talents are showcasing the skill, poise, and consistency that scouts crave at this stage of their development. Niagara’s towering center Ryan Roobroeck is beginning to find his offensive rhythm, Vancouver’s smooth-skating blueliner Ryan Lin continues to prove his all-around value on the back end, and Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna—the early favorite to go first overall—has wasted little time making an impact at the collegiate level.

Here’s a closer look at how each of these rising stars is shaping their early-season narrative.

Ryan Roobroeck | C | Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

Niagara Ice Dogs center Ryan Roobroeck has made himself a name to watch for the 2026 NHL draft ever since he joined the Ice Dogs in 2023. Despite starting his draft year slowly offensively, the 6-foot-4, 216-pound player quickly gained momentum, scoring six points (three goals and three assists) in just three games.

The London, ON native started the weekend showing off how dangerous he can be on the power play with a pair of goals while on the man advantage in a 6-3 win over the Brampton Steelheads. Despite being held to just one shot on goal against the Kingston Frontenacs, Roobroeck used his excellent mobility and puck skills to maneuver into the Kingston zone on a one-man break-in and leave the puck for a one-timer to pick up an assist.

He concluded the weekend with a goal and an assist, helping Niagara defeat Brampton 5-1. With the Ice Dogs leading 3-1 with less than eight minutes to play in the game, Roobreock helped put the game closer to out-of-reach territory for the Steelheads as he tried a toe-drag shot and popped home his own rebound to make it 4-1.

Ryan Lin | RD | Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Ryan Lin had an impressive rookie season in the WHL for Vancouver in 2024-25, positioning himself well to be one of the top defensemen in the 2026 class. His impressive start to the 2025-26 campaign, with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 15 games, should continue to establish him as an elite player in the class.

Lin was excellent at delivering the puck to his teammates with six assists in three games. Lin isn’t a physically imposing presence at 5 feet 11 inches, 176 pounds, but isn’t afraid of the physical game, averaging 1.5 hits a game this season. He had four hits and an assist in a 5-3 win over the Kamloops Blazers on Sunday. The Giants’ leader in average ice time, with 24:44 a game, should continue to play a big role going forward this season.

Gavin McKenna | LW | Penn State (NCAA)

It was only a matter of time before Gavin McKenna found his way into this column. The longtime presumptive number one pick in the 2026 class started his college hockey career with a ton of eyeballs on him and, despite not reaching the heights of some other recent freshmen, performed well.

Playing in a back-to-back weekend with Stonehill, McKenna helped the Nittany Lions pick up two wins with a goal and an assist in both contests. In the friday game, Penn State trailed 2-1 with just under 12 minutes to play when McKenna found some free ice and wired a one-timer to tie the game with his first goal at home. In the second game, McKenna showed off his power play prowess by playing some pitch and catch with his teammates before firing a perfect one-timer for his second goal of the weekend.