DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: OHL

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Gavin Betts (G)

    Gavin Betts #43, G

    Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

    6’0”, 174 lbs, DOB 2008-04-03

    Gavin Betts delivered a composed, technically mature performance in Kingston’s 1-0 win over the Erie Otters, earning his first career shutout with a 27 save effort. He showed strong positional habits and played with controlled depth, rarely overcommitting above the crease. A noticeable strength was his rebound management as he absorbed pucks cleanly into his chest or directed them to low-danger areas instead of feeding second chance opportunities for the slot. Betts looked comfortable through traffic and did not lose visual on pucks during broken plays. He showed patience on rush attacks and did not bite early on shot fakes or dekes. His reads on penalty kills were encouraging as Erie pushed late with the special teams’ pressure, including a 5-on-3. This game highlighted strong emotional maturity as Betts had to stayed locked in for all 60 minutes in a low scoring game where one mistake decides the outcome. There was no visible frustration during extended defensive zone stretches and no panic after scrambles around the crease. 

    Betts still needs to continue adding strength and explosiveness to maximize recovery speed on east-west plays. There are also moments where he relies heavily on blocking structure rather than attacking shooters aggressively at the top of the crease. As the pace of play increases against elite offenses, improving puck-handling confidence and accelerating post-to-post recoveries could become important development points. 

    Betts projects as a technically sound, mentally steady goaltender with legitimate upside heading into his draft year. His game leans more toward controlled efficiency than acrobatic athleticism, which can translate better at higher levels. This shutout was significant not just statistically, but showed how he is calm under pressure, detail-oriented, and structurally reliable. 

    Goaltender Category Summarization: 

    Skating: 6

    Net Coverage: 6

    Quickness: 5

    Rebound Control: 7

    Play Reading/Anticipation: 7

    Technique: 7

    Poise: 8

    Puck Handling: 5 

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Simon Katolicky (LW)

    Simon Katolický is a player I’ve been pretty underwhelmed with in terms of progression this
    year; he feels a bit snake-bitten offensively, and that’s clearly impacted his confidence and
    ice time. He’s still very raw, but the foundation is there, great size at 6’4”, skates well for that
    frame, and shows a decent motor with flashes of understanding how to use his length
    effectively. That said, his stride lacks power for someone his size, he takes smaller, less
    explosive strides and almost skates like a smaller player, which limits his physical impact.
    His IQ is still a work in progress, especially with the puck, where he tends to default to safer,
    simpler plays and doesn’t always show the poise you’d want to see to hold onto possession
    and create. He competes, but not consistently, he’ll have shifts where he’s engaged and
    others where he fades a bit. Off the puck, though, he brings value with an active stick and
    physical presence, and offensively, he leans more as a shooter than a playmaker, you’re not
    relying on him to thread passes or consistently find seams. There’s a lot of raw ability here,
    and based on what he showed last year, I still have confidence he can bounce back, but at
    this point, he’s not a first-rounder for me, more in that mid-to-late second range. If things
    click, you’re looking at a powerful middle-six winger, but there’s definite boom-or-bust risk,
    and I wouldn’t touch him in the first round right now; I liked him a lot more last year, but
    there’s still something to work with.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Ethan Belchetz (LW)

    Ethan Belchetz #61, F 

    Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

    6’5”, 227 lbs, DOB 2008-03-30

    Belchetz’s goal in this game was a strong example of his identity as an effort-driven forward. The play stemmed from his eagerness to attack inside ice rather than staying to the perimeter. He drove to the net with purpose, establishing body position to get the deflection. He consistently supported pucks well in the offensive zone, staying involved in cycles and presenting himself as a passing option. Belchetz’s fight in this game showed his willingness to engage physically and stand up in emotionally charged moments. He showed no hesitation dropping the gloves, which speaks to both toughness and a team-first mentality. Importantly, he maintained balance and composure during the exchange rather than throwing himself out of control. Beyond the fight, his overall physical engagement was consistent. He finished checks, applied pressure on the forecheck, and made life difficult for opposing defenders. Belchetz’s skating was reflective of his size in the sense that his stride is functional rather than explosive, however, it’s supported by a high motor that allows him to stay involved shift after shift. His pace was most effective when combined with his physicality, where he closed spaces quickly on the forecheck and forced rushed decisions. This game highlighted Belchetz’s competitive identity clearly. Scoring a hard-area goal and then engaging in a fight in the same game points to a player who is emotionally invested and willing to influence the game in different ways. 

    Overall, Belchetz projects as a high-energy forward with a physical edge and scoring ability. His game is built around compete level, net-front presence, and a willingness to engage physically. Games like this, where he contributes both on the scoresheet and emotionally, reinforce his value as a momentum player. If he continues refining his skating explosiveness, he has the foundation to fill a reliable bottom-six role at the NHL level. 

    Skater Category Summarization:

    Skating: 6

    Puck Skill: 6

    Scoring Ability: 7

    Hockey IQ: 7

    Character: 8

    Physicality: 7

    Defensive Play: 6

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Caleb Malhotra (C)

    Caleb Malhotra #27, F 

    Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    6’2”, 182 lbs, DOB 2008-06-02

    Malhotra once again demonstrated why he is one of the OHL’s most productive young forwards, while scoring the eventual game-winning goal in his team’s victory. His offensive instincts stood out throughout the game, particularly his ability to find space in coverage and position himself as a scoring threat when the puck moved into dangerous areas. He processed plays quickly, supported puck movement effectively, and consistently made himself available as an outlet. His goal reflected his goalscorer mindset with strong anticipation and composure. Malhotra competed well off puck, tracked responsibly through the neutral zone, and showed strong awareness in transition. While Malhotra’s offensive contributions were evident, his defensive play was equally impressive. He showed a strong understanding of positioning, consistently staying above the puck and supporting the defensemen low in the zone. His routes through the neutral zone were efficient, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes and limit Guelph’s ability to generate speed through transition. Despite not being an overly physical player, he competed hard in battles and consistently stayed engaged in play. His active stick helped break up plays and force opponents into less dangerous areas. His combination of hockey sense, offensive creativity, and reliability makes him a player capable of impacting games in many ways. The performance reinforced his projections as a top draft pick whose intelligence and consistency allow his offensive talent to translate to meaningful results. 

    Skater Category Summarization:

    Skating: 7

    Puck Skill: 7

    Scoring Ability: 8

    Hockey IQ: 8

    Character: 8

    Physicality: 6

    Defensive Play: 7

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Alexander Bilecki (LD)

    Alexander Bilecki:

    Description: Offensive defenseman


    Strengths: Bilecki is a mobile, offensively inclined defenseman who plays with pace and confidence. His skating ability stands out, allowing him to close space quickly, recover efficiently, and contribute effectively in transition. A crafty puck mover, he shows strong instincts jumping into the play and times his pinches well to sustain offensive zone pressure. Defensively, he utilizes an active stick to disrupt passing lanes and break up plays before they develop.


    Opportunities: Improving the consistency and accuracy of his first pass will help elevate his puck management and transition game. Adding more physical engagement and assertiveness in the defensive zone would also strengthen his overall effectiveness, particularly in net front battles and board play.

    Skating: 6/10

    Shooting: 5/10

    Playmaking: 6/10

    Defense: 5/10

    Compete: 6/10

    Hockey IQ: 6/10

    Projection: Projects as a middle four defenseman with offensive upside and is currently viewed as a potential 3rd round selection, around 84th overall.

  • The Final Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    By Stuart Miller-Davis

    The 2025-26 season has officially come to a close for NHL Draft prospects around the world. The Kitchener Rangers capped off an undefeated run at the Memorial Cup by capturing the franchise’s third title, while Finland closed out the World Championship in Switzerland by defeating the host nation for gold.

    With the season now complete, scouts and NHL front offices will spend the coming weeks relying on video review for final evaluations ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. With only a limited number of draft-eligible players still active over the past week, this edition of the three stars serves as a season-ending look at the prospects who made the biggest impact in this column throughout the year.

    Here are Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 Draft-Eligible Three Stars for the 2025-26 season.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Penn State (NCAA)

    The top-ranked prospect on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings also claims the top spot in the season-ending three stars.

    After taking some time to adjust to the college game, Gavin McKenna quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NCAA. The Whitehorse, Yukon native finished his freshman campaign at Penn State with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games, ranking fourth in NCAA scoring as an 18-year-old freshman.

    McKenna also played a major role for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota. Following a limited role in his first tournament appearance in 2024-25, where he recorded just one point in five games, the former Medicine Hat Tigers star returned with a dominant showing. He produced 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in seven games to help Canada capture the bronze medal.

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

    Ivar Stenberg’s remarkable draft season earns him the second star of the year.

    The Swedish winger produced near-historic numbers in the SHL, recording 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games. Since 1990, only Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Henrik Sedin have produced more points in their 18-year-old season in Sweden’s top professional league.

    The second-ranked prospect on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings also excelled internationally. The Stenungsund native recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games at the World Junior Championship, helping Sweden capture gold.

    Stenberg later debuted with Sweden’s senior national team during the European Hockey Tour, where he averaged a point per game across five contests before earning a roster spot at the World Championship.

    At the tournament in Switzerland, the younger brother of St. Louis Blues forward Otto Stenberg continued to impress against elite competition. His eight points in eight games ranked behind only Patrik Laine, Auston Matthews, Juraj Slafkovský, and Paul Kariya among draft-eligible players in tournament history.

    Viggo Björck | C | Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

    While Viggo Björck did not produce the same offensive totals as fellow Swede Ivar Stenberg in the SHL, his overall body of work cemented him as one of the premier prospects in the 2026 class.

    The Stockholm native recorded 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 42 SHL games during his draft season, but his progression throughout the year was equally notable. Björck earned increased responsibility as the season progressed and eventually rose into Djurgårdens’ top-line center role late in the campaign.

    After the club’s professional season ended in the opening round of the playoffs, Björck joined Djurgårdens’ U20 squad and immediately dominated. The undersized center recorded 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in nine playoff games while helping lead the team to a U20 championship.

    Björck also enjoyed a standout international season. Skating alongside Stenberg on Sweden’s second line at the World Junior Championship, he contributed nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games during the gold-medal run.

    Like Stenberg, Björck also earned his first call-up to Sweden’s senior national team. He recorded two goals in five European Hockey Tour games before adding six points (one goal, five assists) in eight appearances at the World Championship.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

    Few draft-eligible defensemen were more entertaining or productive during the 2025-26 season than Daxon Rudolph.

    The Prince Albert Raiders blueliner finished third among WHL defensemen in scoring with 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games. Wearing an “A” in his second season with the club, the Lacombe, Alberta native helped lead Prince Albert to first place in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.

    The 6-foot-2, 203-pound defender carried that offensive production into the postseason. Rudolph tied Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen for the WHL playoff scoring lead with 27 points in 19 games.

    Behind the leadership of Rudolph and Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes, the Raiders advanced all the way to the WHL Final before falling to the Everett Silvertips in five games.

    Honorable Mentions

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Carson Carels | LHD | Prince George Cougars (WHL)

    Liam Ruck | RW | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Ryan Roobroeck (C)

    Ryan Roobroeck
    Projection: Middle 6 Center
    Strengths: One-touch release, Maturity, Situational Versatility
    Weaknesses: Off-puck play, Consistency, one-dimensional worries

    Analysis:
    Ryan Roobroeck is the best offensively minded center in this draft.
    His instant release when the puck reaches his stick makes him one of
    the best pure goal scorers in this draft. Pairing that with his super
    high hockey IQ provides him with the ability to read the play and take
    advantage of open ice to be in a position to utilize that lethal shot.
    He is also one of the more mature and disciplined players in this
    draft. He uses his body and stick properly when defending and has a
    long stride that helps him stick to attackers, so he rarely resorts to
    taking any “dumb” penalties. With this maturity, too, his coaches can
    rely on him in all situations. With his offensive mind, he is a given
    for their power play, but he can also be plugged into the penalty kill
    due to his reliability and great understanding of the game.

    What I find Roobroeck to lack is in terms of his consistent drive to
    be the best on the ice. He can cause analyzing the play instead of
    engaging in it, which can leave him in an awkward spot to catch up to
    the play or miss being a part of it entirely. I would classify this as
    a consistency issue, where he just isn’t on his “A game” every shift.
    He shows with his offensive talents and maturity how good he is when
    he is on his game, but not being on it every shift really brings him
    down my list. Because of this consistency issue, I would be worried
    about how he would translate his game to the pro level. If he doesn’t
    become more consistent as a whole, he might fall to becoming a
    one-dimensional scorer at the pro level, which obviously isn’t the
    worst thing in the world, but not something you’re looking for in a
    top-tier talent.

  • Weekly 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Three Stars

    The final opportunities for NHL Draft prospects to make their case on the ice are here, with the Memorial Cup underway and the IIHF World Championship entering its medal rounds. For many players, these games represent one last chance to leave a lasting impression before NHL teams make their selections in June.

    This week’s three stars feature a Latvian defenseman with a chance to make history for his country, a Finnish winger whose breakout first season in the WHL is translating to success on junior hockey’s biggest stage, and an OHL blueliner whose steady postseason play continues to push him up draft boards.

    Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of May 18 to 25.

    Albert Smits | LHD | Latvia (WC)

    Latvian defenseman Albert Smits has taken a unique path through his draft year. The Valmiera native left home at just 13 years old to pursue his hockey dreams, and five years later, he finds himself on the doorstep of an NHL career.

    The 18-year-old began the season with Jukurit in Liiga, appearing in 38 games and recording 13 points (six goals, seven assists). From there, he represented Latvia at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota and the Olympic Games in Italy before joining EHC München in the DEL on loan for the remainder of the season and its playoff run.

    Now wearing Latvia’s colors one final time in his draft season, Smits has continued to make an impression at the IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound blueliner recorded three assists in four games this past week.

    Smits picked up an assist against Austria while leading Latvia’s defense in ice time in a 3-1 loss. He was held off the scoresheet in a 7-1 defeat against Finland and again against the United States, though he finished as a plus-2 while leading the team in ice time during Latvia’s 4-2 upset victory.

    The potentially highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history closed out his week with a two-assist performance in a 6-0 win over Great Britain.

    Matias Vanhanen | LW | Everett Silvertips (WHL)

    Matias Vanhanen went undrafted after posting 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 42 games in Finland’s U20 league and producing at a point-per-game pace at the U18 World Championship. His decision to move to the WHL has proven to be a valuable one, positioning him to hear his name called this time around.

    The September 2007-born winger led the WHL champion Everett Silvertips in regular-season scoring with 87 points (21 goals, 67 assists) in 62 games. He followed that with 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 18 playoff contests, finishing second on the team behind Seattle Kraken prospect and fellow Finnish standout Julius Miettinen.

    The Nokia native opened the Memorial Cup in impressive fashion. He recorded a secondary assist on a goal by Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear to extend Everett’s lead to 4-2.

    Vanhanen later sealed the victory with a shorthanded empty-net goal with just 20 seconds remaining, helping the Silvertips secure a 5-3 win and continue his standout postseason.

    Alexander Bilecki | LHD | Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

    Alexander Bilecki may not carry the offensive flair of some of the more prominent defensemen in the 2026 draft class, but his steady play has made him an important piece of a championship-caliber Kitchener Rangers team.

    In his second season with the Rangers, the former Mississauga Rebel recorded 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 66 regular-season games and added another 11 points in 18 playoff appearances.

    The 49th-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings continued that production in Kitchener’s Memorial Cup opener against the host Kelowna Rockets.

    Bilecki picked up a secondary assist on Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly’s third-period goal before adding a primary assist on another late tally, helping the Rangers pull away for a convincing 5-0 victory.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Chase Reid (RD)

    Chase Reid:
    Projection: Top 4 Defenceman
    Strengths: Offensive instincts, Vision and playmaking, Release and
    shot placement, Skating
    Weaknesses: Defensive aspects of the game, Positioning/Decision making

    Analysis:
    Chase Reid is an offensively gifted defenceman. He is never afraid to
    jump up on the play and use his strong skating to help generate an
    odd-man rush. He also uses his speed to blow by defenders along the
    boards and threaten to drive the net if given the opportunity. Once he
    is given the puck in the offensive zone, he tends to use his skating
    and mobility to create seams and gaps within the defenders so that he
    can use his great vision and passing abilities to find the wide-open
    player. If the defenders don’t offer up an opportunity for a pass, he
    isn’t afraid to shoot the puck through screens with his lethal and
    precise release.

    Reid struggles when it comes to the defensive aspects of the game. He
    often gets caught up ice when he decides to jump up on the rush at a
    bad time, which typically ends up in a scoring opportunity against.
    Within his own zone, he’s not afraid to use his body to get the puck
    back. He isn’t always in the proper position to retrieve the puck once
    he knocks his player off it, but at least he disrupts his opponent.
    Additionally, I would be slightly worried about his work ethic, as
    when I watch him, he isn’t always giving it one hundred percent.

  • Weekly 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Three Stars

    As the calendar turns deeper into May, the road to a championship continues to narrow across Canadian major junior hockey. With league titles and Memorial Cup berths on the line, draft-eligible players are being tested in the highest-pressure environments of their seasons, while every standout performance carries added weight ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

    This week’s three stars feature two highly mobile, offensive-minded defensemen from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) who have played central roles in their teams’ postseason runs, along with an overage Ontario Hockey League (OHL) goaltender whose combination of regular-season consistency and playoff resilience should earn him renewed draft attention.

    Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of May 4 to 11.

    Tommy Bleyl | RHD | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

    Slick-skating defenseman Tommy Bleyl has taken the QMJHL by storm in his first season north of the border. The Schenectady, New York native led all league defensemen in regular-season scoring with 81 points (13 goals, 68 assists) in 63 games and has carried that production into the postseason, where his 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 17 games lead the league.

    Bleyl delivered several key moments in the deciding game of Moncton’s semifinal series against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, helping propel the Wildcats to their second consecutive trip to the QMJHL Final. Just under five minutes after the Armada tied the game at two, the 6-foot, 170-pound blueliner jumped into open space in the offensive zone and wired a wrist shot past the goaltender to restore Moncton’s lead. He added an empty-net goal late in the third period to seal a 6-2 victory.

    The 12th-ranked defenseman on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings is still searching for his first point of the QMJHL Final, though he has remained active offensively, registering seven shots on goal through the opening two games.

    Xavier Villeneuve | LHD | Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

    Xavier Villeneuve’s draft season was interrupted by injury, but the dynamic defender still managed to leave a strong impression. Despite missing time from early January through mid-March, the Laval, Quebec, native recorded 38 points (six goals, 32 assists) in just 37 regular-season games.

    The 2025 U18 gold medalist continued to lead from the back end during the postseason, producing 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 17 games while serving as one of the Armada’s most important contributors.

    The fifth-ranked defenseman on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings appeared in just one game this week, but he made his presence felt. With Blainville-Boisbriand trailing Moncton 2-1 early in the second period, Villeneuve joined the rush, found open ice, and finished a pass into a nearly open cage to briefly tie the game.

    Though the Wildcats ultimately pulled away for a 6-2 win, Villeneuve’s ability to create offense and influence play in critical moments remained evident throughout the postseason.

    Ben Hrebik | G | Barrie Colts (OHL)

    Overage goaltender Ben Hrebik has played a pivotal role in Barrie’s run to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Final. The Milton, Ontario native posted a .920 save percentage in 43 regular-season games, tied for the third-best mark in the OHL, and has elevated his game considerably after a difficult postseason in 2024-25.

    After finishing last year’s playoffs with a 1-5 record, a 4.87 goals-against average, and an .867 save percentage, Hrebik has responded with a much stronger showing in 2025-26.

    The 20-year-old netminder was outstanding in the deciding game of the Eastern Conference Final against the Brantford Bulldogs, turning aside all 40 shots he faced in a 5-0 shutout to clinch the series.

    Barrie now faces a difficult challenge after dropping the opening three games of the OHL Final against the Kitchener Rangers, but Hrebik has remained the team’s brightest spot. After allowing four goals on 31 shots in Game 1, the 31st-ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings responded with back-to-back standout efforts.

    In Game 2, Hrebik made 39 saves on 42 shots through regulation and added another 19 stops in overtime before Kitchener found the game-winner.

    He followed that performance with another exceptional outing in Game 3, making 32 saves in regulation — including a diving stop while shorthanded — to push the game beyond three periods. The Rangers generated 14 shots across two overtime frames before finally scoring the deciding goal.