DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: Scouting

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Oliver Suvanto (C)

    Projection: Middle 6 Forward
    Note: He has played on the wing this year in the Liiga, but can play
    center pretty effectively, too
    Strengths: Size, Two-way play, Compete
    Weaknesses: Skating, creativity, and playmaking

    Analysis:
    Oliver Suvanto is a very good two-way forward. He makes use of his
    incredible size to hold his own against the men of the Finnish Liiga.
    Defending pucks, board battles, and getting pucks back, he uses his
    body to properly box out defenders and use his size to his advantage.
    This, paired with his above-average defensive instincts, helping the
    defenseman below the hash marks when needed, great use of his long
    reach to disrupt passing lanes, and his ability and willingness to
    block shots, makes him an excellent candidate to translate his game to
    the next level. He also plays with heart. He doesn’t take a shift for
    granted, playing at one hundred percent and truly giving it his all
    whenever he steps on the ice.

    His main drawback for me is his skating and playmaking abilities. For
    being the size that he is, he obviously won’t be the fastest skater in
    the world, but his stride isn’t that fine-tuned either. I find it
    clunky and choppy, obviously something that can be worked on, but as a
    current asset, it’s something that falls short. I also find he lacks
    any creative spark and play-making abilities. He may be really smart
    and think the game well, but he struggles to translate that to his
    stick. His passes aren’t always crisp or go where they’re intended, he
    might hold on to the puck a second too long and have the lane close on
    him, or he might just not see the right play entirely. Nevertheless,
    his playmaking attributes really need some work in my eyes.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Gavin McKenna (LW)

    Gavin McKenna (Ranked #2 on my list):
    Projection: First Liner
    Strengths: Handles and playmaking, Hockey IQ and vision, Skating and footwork
    Weaknesses: Defensive aspects of the game, Physicality

    Analysis:
    The best way I could describe McKenna’s game would be using the
    analogy that he has the NHL’s EDGE goal visualizer implanted in his
    brain. The way he has a sixth sense of knowing wherever everyone is on
    the ice at all times allows him to anticipate the play before it
    happens, find passing lanes and open players unlike any other, and
    dictate or control the game to his liking. If the puck is on his
    stick, he will find a way to create a play, not just any play, the
    correct play. His stick handling and puck control are through the
    roof, he has a dangerous shot he can take from anywhere on the ice,
    his skating and stride are almost elite, and he is reliable
    defensively. He played center when he was in Medicine Hat, so he’s
    capable of taking a faceoff, which just adds to his versatility. He
    honestly has it all, with the only flaw being that he needs to “grow
    up”, putting on some extra muscle and becoming a formidable physical
    threat.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Keaton Verhoeff (RD)

    Keaton Verhoeff is a right-handed two-way defenseman who brings a steady, reliable presence with strong instincts on both sides of the ice, backed by a good motor and good compete to match, and he also likes to push up the ice to stay involved in transition, but he lacks creativity and higher-end offensive touch. He has the base of a solid puck mover with a good first pass, though his puck control can be loose at times, especially under pressure, where he will cough it up more than you would like. Offensively, he shows some habits like cutting to his backhand, but struggles to make plays after that, often throwing pucks on net without much conviction. His skating is decent overall, not overly powerful or fast, and his edges are not a major strength, but he can still angle off opposing threats effectively and hold his own defensively. With his frame, you would like to see him use his body more consistently both with and without the puck to elevate his impact. I think there is a path for him to become a good puck-moving defenseman, and while the ceiling could look something like Noah Dobson, I am not convinced he reaches that level. For me, he sits more in the mid-first round range and likely rounds out as a top five defenseman in this draft class.

  • Mathis Preston Scouting Report

    Mathis Preston: Vancouver Giants #96. Right shot right wing. 5’11/176lbs

    Description: Skilled forward

    Strengths: Highly effective at anticipating the flow of play and finding lanes to get pucks through traffic to the net. Possesses a quick, accurate release and shows strong competitiveness along the boards, frequently recovering pucks even after initially losing possession. Willingly absorbs contact to complete plays and quickly re-engages in the battle. Displays quick feet, good overall speed, and shifty puck-handling ability. Keeps his feet moving, stays involved in the play, and consistently finds soft areas of open ice. Contributes effectively on the power play.

    Opportunity: Defensive-zone awareness and puck management. Needs to reduce the number of no-look or blind passes under pressure in the defensive zone.

    Projection: 1st round, approximately 20th overall. Projects as a middle-six forward with power-play utility.

    Skating: 7

    Puck Skills: 7

    IQ: 6

    Physical Play: 5

    D-zone: 6

  • 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.

  • Whitby Silver Stick Invitational

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

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

    Brady Nash wearing 58 for Don Mills Flyers  – 

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

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

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

    Ronan Quinn wearing 17 for Markham Majors – 

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

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

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

    Walker Connor wearing 11 for Philadelphia Jr Flyers – 

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

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

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

    Jakub Kuklinski wearing 88 for Mississauga Senators  – 

    Forward – 2010 – Bolton, ON, CAN

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

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

    Mason Wohlers wearing 20 for BK Selects –

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

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

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

    Leo Acker wearing 42 for Chicago Mission – 

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

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

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

    Tanner Adams wearing 13 for Hill Academy – 

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

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

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

    Marko Mesich wearing 31 for Toronto Jr Canadiens – 

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

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

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

    Sam Nowlan wearing 16 for Little Ceasars – 

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

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

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

    Luke Lawson wearing 1 for Mississauga Reps –

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

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

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

    Rico Champagne wearing 90 for Toronto Jr Canadiens – 

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

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

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

    Logan Prud’homme wearing 55 for Upper Canada College – 

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

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

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

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

    Bishop’s Kearney:

    20 RD Mason Wohlers 

    26 RD Jayden Tillman 

    98 LW Jackson Conroy 

    Little Caesars:

    16 C Sam Nowlan 

    Pens Elite:

    8 RD Colton Kelly 

    Upper Canada College

    14 C Damian Norris 

    Hill Academy

    86 C Mika Richard

  • QMJHL Game Reports

    Donald Hickey

    2025-09-28 PEI 4 @ Newfoundland 1 (QMJHL)

    Hickey’s mobility and athleticism were evident right from the first few clips of this viewing. He moves fluidly and can contort his body to make non-traditional saves. His hip flexibility allows him to adopt a wide stance and adapt to various play developments in front of him. He was also impressive in absorbing and catching pucks cleanly. However, he sometimes relies too much on his mobility, leading to unorthodox saves that pull him out of position. Improving his overall positioning and recovery structure will be key to maximizing his save efficiency. Hickey is an intriguing overage prospect for the 2026 draft, his mobility alone could draw attention, even if the rest of his game remains average.

    William Lacelle

    2025-10-03 Rimouski 2 @ Québec 3 SO (QMJHL)

    Lacelle displays an impressive mix of technical fundamentals and athleticism. His speed and quickness allow him to move efficiently and set up square to shooters. I was particularly impressed with his crease management as he stayed patient on his edges and setting quickly for shots or rebounds. His positioning was consistent, keeping his chest centered on the puck even deep on his shortside as he likes to use an aggressive overlap technique. One area for improvement is his butterfly seal; it’s not always tight or compact, occasionally allowing pucks through. Overall, Lacelle continues to impress with how he combines technical skill and athletic control. It’s still early in the season, but he’s already showing signs of being one of the top goalie prospects in his class, and worthy of early-round draft consideration.

    Rafael Courchesne

    2025-10-04 Saint John 7 @ Moncton 5 (QMJHL)

    Courchesne uses his long frame well, positioning himself effectively to face initial shots. He plays relatively deep in his crease, taking short, controlled paths to stay square without overcommitting. This shows good play awareness and anticipation. However, he looked average in several key traits, particularly speed and athleticism. His mechanics appeared stiff, and he struggled to seal the ice properly in the butterfly and RVH. While Courchesne remains a prospect worth tracking because of his size alone, he’ll need to show clear progression in these areas to emerge as a legitimate candidate for the 2026 draft.

    Jacoby Weiner

    2025-09-19 Moncton 4 @ Newfoundland 5 OT (QMJHL)

    Weiner is a tall, powerful goalie who moves with strength and control in the crease. His long, forceful strides help him beat plays on his feet and challenge shooters assertively. One of the most impressive aspects of his game was how he handled screens. He stood tall in the blue paint and used frequent head checks to locate pucks without compromising posture. His recoveries were efficient, quickly regaining squareness quickly after initial saves. However, rebound control was an issue. He bobbled several pucks in front and directed others into dangerous areas, prolonging defensive-zone pressure. Despite that, Weiner possesses the physical tools to be a draftable goalie prospect, likely in the mid-rounds, with upside to rise if his rebound control and overall play improves.

    Jan Larys

    2025-10-03 Shawinigan 3 @ Drummondville 5 (QMJHL)

    Larys could become one of the smartest draft-eligible goalies in his class. His hockey IQ is evident in how he reads developing plays and adjusts his positioning accordingly. I liked how he glided along the crease’s red line to make small adjustments and stay square through puck movement in the defensive zone. Though not the most explosive or athletic goalie, his strong reads allowed him to make tough saves look manageable. His weight distribution, however, sometimes appears off, making him look stiff in certain movements. I also noticed he can over-anticipate passes, occasionally tilting early and exposing his short side. Even with those flaws, Larys showed enough to earn a firm spot on my ranking list this season. With a solid workload ahead in Drummondville, he’ll have ample opportunity to showcase his progress to NHL scouts leading into the 2026 draft.

  • Next-Level Defense: How Matthew Schaefer Is Rewriting the Role of a Blueliner

    Matthew Schaefer: The Future of NHL Blue Lines

    Matthew Schaefer is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting prospects heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. At 6’2″ and 175 pounds, he combines elite skating, high-end hockey IQ, and a complete two-way game that sets him apart from virtually every defenseman in his class. Ten out of ten scouts have him pegged as the projected No. 1 overall pick, and seven of those scouts believe the gap between Schaefer and the next tier—names like James Hagens, Michael Misa, and Porter Martone—is substantial.

    His trajectory this season has been electric. With 22 points in just 17 OHL games, he’s crushed last year’s totals, where he recorded 17 points in 56 games. His goal count has more than doubled—from 3 to 7 in a fraction of the games. And while a broken collarbone at the U20 World Juniors will sideline him for around three months, it has done nothing to diminish his stock. If anything, it only magnified his resilience.

    I had the privilege of speaking with Matthew for about 20 minutes, and in that time, it became abundantly clear that his maturity and mindset are just as elite as his on-ice play. When I asked him who his NHL comparison would be, he answered without hesitation: “It would probably be Cale Makar, that’s pretty easy. He is a great skater, really good hockey IQ, so I like to watch bits and parts of his game and try to put it in my game.”

    But what struck me even more came when I asked what the biggest lesson he’s learned during his recovery process was. He responded, “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is when you lose someone you love you don’t really expect it and life can throw so much stuff at you. I am just happy to be here everyday… after I lost my mom it made me look at life so much differently.” That kind of perspective, from a 17-year-old, tells you everything you need to know about his character.

    On the ice, Schaefer’s skating defines his game. His stride is powerful, fluid, and efficient, letting him close gaps in the defensive zone or lead rushes up the ice. His edgework is elite—smooth pivots, agile turns, and the ability to evade pressure with ease make him a nightmare for forecheckers. This blend of speed and balance makes him dominant in transition.

    Offensively, he’s a weapon. Schaefer thinks the game at a high level, processes plays in real-time, and delivers pinpoint passes whether he’s springing a forward on a breakaway or navigating a tight power play setup. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he showcased his dynamic skill set, dancing through defenders before setting up a crucial goal. He also owns a heavy, accurate shot that he’s not afraid to unleash from the point or in transition.

    Defensively, Schaefer is as responsible as they come. He maintains strong positioning, closes gaps quickly, and uses his frame effectively to protect the front of the net. He blocks shots with conviction—a skill he credits to his older brother Johnny—and shows the kind of poise that usually belongs to veteran defensemen. He rarely overcommits, plays with a calm intensity, and brings a steadying presence in high-pressure moments.

    Physically, there’s still room to grow. But even now, Schaefer holds his own in puck battles, isn’t shy about contact, and knows when to deliver a timely hit. As he continues to add muscle, he’s going to become an even bigger problem for opposing forwards.

    When I asked him how he sees the role of a top-tier defenseman evolving, he said, “It could be a Cale Makar role or someone who shuts down… you’re gonna need your top line, hopefully if they are more offensive to create points and be able to shutdown, but I think you’re gonna have your top line that can do both then your second line is gonna be the shutdown line for sure.”

    On the topic of his own game, Schaefer said, “I want to be a two-way defenseman, I want to be known to go out on the PK, block shots, and save the lead… Whether it’s with a minute left to protect a lead or gain one, I want to be out there. I want to be a big two-way defenseman that’s not afraid to block shots, score goals, make big hits, make big plays. Just want to be an all-around player.”

    And that’s exactly what he is.

    Matthew Schaefer is the full package: a franchise-caliber defenseman who can lead a blue line, quarterback a power play, shut down opposing stars, and step up in the biggest moments. His elite skill, unmatched poise, and high character make him not only the safest pick in the draft—but potentially the most impactful one. Any team that lands Schaefer in 2025 isn’t just getting a top-pairing D-man. They’re getting a cornerstone for the next decade and beyond.

  • 2024 NHL DRAFT – DRAFTPRO SCOUTING FOCUS: IVAN DEMIDOV

    2024 NHL DRAFT – DRAFTPRO SCOUTING FOCUS: IVAN DEMIDOV

    By: Tyler Ballesteros-Willard

    Ivan Demidov is the next big talent tearing it up in Russia. 

    One of the highlighting stars of the 2024 NHL Draft when it comes to European skaters who unfortunately suffered a terrible injury that may withstand him from playing. Last season in the MHL right before he entered the KHL, Ivan truly showed his worthiness as he was the best player on SKA-St. Petersburg with an outstanding 62 points in 41 games.

    Ivan Demidov already was on a positive start in the KHL, however, he unfortunately is a long term injury reserve. Even though the KHL is a very defensive men’s league, Ivan kept up to solid pace as he was a crucial player on the offense while only playing 3rd line.

    Here at DraftPro, we have him currently ranked at 3rd overall in our latest ranking and has gained tremendous attention from scouts all over the world due to his electric playstyle. Let’s finally dive into what makes Ivan Demidov so special who could have a potential comparison to many NHL stars, as well as him displaying his most crucial tools that will serve him in the biggest league.

    The question is why is Demidov seen as a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft in June? Tyler Ballesteros-Willard with Draft Prospects Hockey breaks down Demidov’s game as he tries to answers that question.

    As a note, Ivan Demidov would be wearing #11 or #91 in blue or white for SKA St. Petersburg.

    Allusive Skating

    One of the true highlighting aspects of Demidov being an electrifying player his that he shows tremendous skating ability when transitioning through each and every zone. Every time he gains possession of the puck, he shows such confidence in his ability to the point where he can beat you by skating alone. The main aspect of his skating he demonstrates very effectively is his tomahawking abilities as he will swipe from side to side to create unease for the defensemen. Due to his tremendous lateral movement, he can easily go from one direction into another in a nick of time which he will even use his quick feet to his advantage.

    Speaking of quick feet, including the combination of his world class agility, he displays tremendous speed to the point where he can beat you in a drag race. With his hyperactive extension and drive, it looks like he even displays a second step which gives him a tremendous advantage over his competitors. Here is a clip that displays him beating his opponents just with his skating alone.

    Here is a short clip on how he uses his tomahawk skating abilities to confuse the opposition to create space for himself to make the best play available.

    Here is a short demonstration on how Ivan with his quick feet can split the defense and put himself in an odd chance against the goaltender. This is key as he understands when to use his speed and agility to his advantage and does not overuse it.

    Puck Skills

    In addition to his Kirill Kaprizov like skating ability, his puck skills are the absolute definition of wizardry. His stick handling and deking ability are so fast to the point where his hands are as quick as his feet. What is so unique about his puck handling abilities to is that he does not telegraph his movements very easily which creates a lot of confusion for the opponents to the point where Ivan will deke out two to three opponents at once to give himself the space that he needs. Even when describing his puck control, he does not give that puck up very easily to the point where it is almost glued. Even with little time and space with the defenseman trying to hit him or poke the puck away from him, his stick handling is the definition of precision as there is a high percentage rate of him passing by his opponents with ease.

    His passing ability, just the absolute definition of outstanding. How, very simple, he can dish the biscuit with ease to the point where it is threading the needle through two to three players at once. Each pass that he creates, they look so soft as he just lobs it like it is nothing, but in reality, they also come very crisp and hard which does not come very easily from many NHL players today such as mainly Patrick Kane with the elite puck skills that Ivan has in his toolbox. 

    Here is a clip below of Ivan just absolutely crippling the defense with his NHL like stick handling and deking abilities. This shows while he is facing two to three opponents at once, Ivan has such confidence to the point where he will take it himself.

    Here is another clip of Ivan but this time using his tremendous passing abilities just absolutely threading the needle between the defensive players.

    Locked-in Marksmanship

    When it comes to picking targets from any location on the ice, there is none better in Europe of the 2024 NHL draft than Ivan Demidov. The fact of the matter is each puck he shoots is off in a heartbeat. When shooting from up close, he is so accurate to the point there may be only a puck size open, and he will thread it through like no tomorrow. The key for him is him in the slot, he knows in advance where he wants to shoot, and he does not even take his time which for him is absolutely key. When discussing the power of his shot, while it may not be Alex Ovechkin level yet, not only he can get it off quick, but they can also be heavy. When discussing the shots from the outside the circles or further out, this is where he displays his power due to his one-timers. His accuracy though, actually comes from his wrist shots. It becomes tremendously satisfying the way he displays his drag release shot as he doesn’t even take a second to create his space and power.

    The clip below demonstrates how Ivan uses his tremendously quick release from in tight with high velocity as well as his precise accuracy with this very low inside the slow snapshot with no time to kill.

    The following clip below demonstrates his shooting abilities from far out with his power while maintaining the accuracy with his toe-drag release mechanism as it finds its way through a crowd.

    Master Offensive Awareness

    Of course, the aspect that ties everything into what makes Ivan Demidov one of the more special players of the 2024 NHL Draft, that is his wizardry of a mind. Every time he is in the offensive zone, he is in his own league when it comes to playing chess as not only, he looks like he is a couple of steps ahead in front of the opposition, but he is not a cookie cutter type player. When trapped in a situation, he loves trying to figure out ways to get out of trouble creatively and very beneficial to him. He becomes similar to having the intelligence of “Mega Mind” in the offensive zone because of the fact he is always hyperactively thinking in advance. Not to mention about his hyperactive thinking, he has the vision and the intelligence of a jumping spider as not only he anticipates and telegraphs the opponents, but he also anticipates and reads his teammates at a very sufficient level.

    One aspect that is key for Demidov is that he shows tremendous motivation in his game when trying to play defensive in the offensive zone when trying to retrieve the puck back. When discussing about his awareness of his surroundings such as the opponents and his players, he looks like he has eyes in the back of his head considering he can read his own teammates at first class. An underrated portion of his offensive awareness too is his positional awareness. What is unique about this is that even though he primarily plays on the wing, he will give the support as much like he were playing as a centerman which is not seen very often. A spot too he loves playing around is just near the trapezoid area which is also known as “Gretzky’s Office”. That being said, even though behind the net his favourite spot to use his incredible mind, he is versatile with his mind anywhere in the offensive zone as well as transitioning up the rush when lugging the puck.

    In this following clip, Ivan demonstrates why he is incredible at anticipating his teammates when they are not even at their preferable spot yet which leaves the opposition into disbelief and unorganized off the draw.

    The clip below demonstrates Ivan’s unique abilities of supporting his teammates around the boards in the offensive zone as well as creating his tremendous vision as he made this play very subtle but very transitioning which translated to a goal.

    Improvement Needs

    As much of a special player Ivan Demidov is, there are still some inconsistencies in his game. The aspects will be divided as follows: Minor improvements, and the major improvements. The minor improvements are detailed in mainly in his defensive game as even though he is considered average defensively for his playstyle, there are some minor inconsistencies that can be improved in a short period of time. The major improvements will be focused on his physicality aspect because not only it highlights his inactivity in throwing hits which does not correlate well with the NHL level. Another aspect that does not help Demidov’s case is that he does not handle hits well as he can get very effected by it which unfortunately led to his injury.

    When discussing the minor changes needed to Ivan’s game is that yes, he is crucial when shot blocking whenever he is in position as he has good technique when blocking. The key word however as a winger, he sometimes plays too low which leaves the defense wide open due to his habits of also playing center part time. When transitioning through the neutral zone on the defense, yes he may try to stick lift a lot to try to help his defensive pair when retrieving the puck back, the problem is for Ivan is that sometimes there is a lack of motivation when playing in the defensive end similar to William Nylander. This then translates into the following risks, a penalty like hooking or slashing, or a lost odd man rush which translates into a crucial scoring chance. Another small consistency that he has to work on is him having the puck in the defensive end. Even though Ivan has a high confidence level at making plays happen from nothing, he has to play a little simpler in the defensive end to create a lower risk percentage of making a turnover. Other than those small consistencies, we absolutely believe he can overcome it in a short period of time due to his active problem-solving mind.

    When discussing the major improvements needed to grow Ivan’s game is that he does not have a physical side to his game, and it mainly involves him being a finesse player. Even though Ivan has not fully matured yet, for his age, he is 170 when he should be aiming for 180 in order for him to become more durable on the ice. When discussing the physicality aspect itself, he has very little interest in throwing hits but most importantly, sacrificing his own body to weaken the opposing team. Each time he throws a hit, not only that there is lack of follow through in his checks, but what is important is that there is lack of intent to weaken the opponent. Once in a while too, he can get reversed. When taking a hit, he does not try to brace the hit as he just tries to slip away which could then place him in very vulnerable positions. The game of hockey in North America can become very rough and if Ivan does not want having to deal with anything physically, then he will have to learn the difficult way. At the end of the day, not only he needs to build the muscle in order to build his longevity, but most importantly, his confidence and intent to cause trouble and harm to the opposition.

    Summary

    At the end of the day, what you get in a player like Ivan Demidov is a generational offensive dynamo with the mind of a master chess player. Each time he gains possession of the biscuit, his ability to think many steps ahead of the opponent, find creative solutions involving his puck handling abilities, as well as creating tremendous execution at creating space with his skating or precisely hitting the net is considered to be up to par at the NHL level. It is so translatable as when he has the puck, he can almost have the level of “Speedy Gonzalez” by quickly transferring from one direction to the other with his incredible edgework in a short period of time. Once he develops and fixes his inconsistencies of lack of physicality as well as him having minor inconsistencies in the defensive end, due to his incredible “East-West” style of player, he will no doubt about it be a 1st line winger of the future and could be compared to a lighter end version of Alex Kovalev.

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