DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: USNTDP

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Luke Schairer (RD)

    Luke Schairer:
    Projection: Second Pair Defenceman
    Strengths: Skating, Defensive aspects, Passing
    Weaknesses: Offensive Aspects

    Analysis:
    Don’t be surprised if Luke Schairer’s name gets called much sooner
    than he’s ranked. NHL teams love big, responsible, smooth-skating,
    right-handed defencemen. That’s exactly what Schairer is. He has an
    excellent stride that allows him to keep up with attackers coming down
    on him. His top speed is very good as well, helping him get to loose
    pucks or move the puck up ice quickly. He makes excellent use of his
    body to angle out attackers along the boards or to the corners, as
    well as boxing out in front of his own net. He has some good passing,
    too, making him a manageable option on the power play or in
    transition.

    Schairer really needs to grow his offensive game to make the
    transition to the next level. Apart from his passing, the rest of his
    offensive game leaves a lot to be desired. He’s good at getting pucks
    through towards the net, but doesn’t really have a dangerous shot to
    beat goalies clean. He isn’t the most creative player in the world,
    often just making the open and correct pass over a fancy pass to a
    high danger area. Apart from that, I wouldn’t be shocked to see
    Schairer in the NHL as a shutdown defender with some offensive input
    in the future.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Wyatt Cullen (LW)

    Wyatt Cullen (Ranked #24 on my list):
    Projection: Middle 6 Winger
    Strengths: Edge work, Release, Stick skills, Very young
    Weaknesses: Size and physicality, Absence of engagement, Defensive attributes

    Analysis:
    Wyatt Cullen is a high-octane offensive play driver. When he has the
    puck, he utilizes confidence, strong edge control, and impressive
    stick skills to outmaneuver defenders and generate offense. He has a
    special ability to use his edges to deke around defenders, protect the
    puck, or grant him enough mobility to get open in the offensive zone.
    He has a snappy release and a strong one-timer that make him even more
    threatening on the power play. With the puck on his stick, Cullen can
    be the most dangerous player in the game and completely take over.

    However, when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick, I think he can be
    completely absent from the game. I find him waiting for the game to
    come to him, puck watching, and floating around until his teammates
    can get him the puck. He lacks a sense of urgency without the puck,
    which is the best way I could describe it. I don’t think he is the
    best in the defensive zone either. Along the wall, he doesn’t have
    enough strength to push opponents off pucks and retrieve them cleanly.
    The bright side about his weaknesses is that he is such a late
    birthday, he is only a week from being eligible next year. That gives
    him up to an extra few months to grow and develop over some other
    players in this class, which could be a huge advantage for his draft
    stock.

  • Weekly Draft Eligible Three Stars: The Goalie Edition

    This week’s draft-eligible three stars is taking a different approach. The main focus has been on some of the top point getters among players trying to build up their stock for the 2026 NHL Draft, but this week it showcases three goaltenders. Leading the way is a Western Hockey League (WHL) puck stopper who posted back-to-back shutouts. Sticking in the WHL, an American keeper is leading the way for his club, only allowing two goals in a pair of games. Finally, another American in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is proving to be a key piece for a strong contender.

    Parker Snell | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

    Edmonton Oil Kings goalie Parker Snell is one of the top draft-eligible goalies in the WHL this season. Despite his save percentage of .886, which ranks eighth in the league among draft-eligible puck stoppers (min. 10 games), his three shutouts and 2.94 goals against average (GAA) are both second in the WHL with those same qualifiers.

    Snell is not a huge goalie at 6-foot-2 and 179 pounds but has a strong technical base that makes him an intriguing prospect. The St. Albert, AB, native was the 21st-ranked goalie out of 37 on the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Ranking of North American goalies. Snell played in a pair of WHL games last season and stopped all 54 shots, earning one shutout. This season, Snell has split the crease and played 27 games, amassing a 17-7-1 record.

    The Northern Alberta Xtreme product held down the fort for the Oil Kings on Friday night as they were outshot 34-23 by the Red Deer Rebels. He stopped every puck thrown at him in the contest, coming away with first-star honors in a 2-0 victory. Back at it on Saturday night, Snell had a quieter night with a 20-save shutout in a 6-0 blanking of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

    Harrison Boettiger | Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

    Harrison Boettiger has taken on the starting job for the Kelowna Rockets in his first season in the WHL. The Wheat Ridge, Colorado, native is second among draft-eligible keepers who have played at least 10 games in wins (21) and fourth in save percentage (.904).

    The United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) product was excellent in the first inaugural USNTDP vs. Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Prospect Challenge in November 2024. After the US was pounded 6-1 in the first game, with current Sarnia Sting goalie Patrick Quinlan struggling against the high-flying offense of Team CHL, Boettinger got the start in game two. He was sensational, with 35 saves and a .921 save percentage, and almost got the game to overtime but lost 3-2 with a last-minute goal by Calgary Flames prospect Cole Reschny.

    Boettiger, now a CHL goalie, suited up for the other side in the 2025 edition of the challenge. Unfortunately for him, fellow draft-eligible goalie Brady Knowling outdueled him, making 42 saves to win the game 4-2.

    The seventh-ranked stopper by NHL Central Scouting in its Mid-Term Rankings for North American goalies had a strong week for the Rockets. On Wednesday night, Boettiger made 25 saves in a 4-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds. He followed it up on Saturday, turning away all but one of the Wenatchee Wild’s 26 shots to help secure a 5-1 win.

    Ryder Fetterolf | Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

    Ryder Fetterolf is really making a name for himself this season as one of the top netminders in the OHL. He is second in the league in both save percentage (.922) and GAA (2.11) with 26 wins in 36 games.

    The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native ranked as the 16th goaltender on the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings of North American goalies. He is committed to Penn State next season. Fetterolf was a star on the American prep school circuit, putting up a .940 save percentage with 49 wins in 61 games in his final season with the Gilmour Academy. He played in one game with the United States Hockey League’s Tri-City Storm that went very poorly, as he allowed six goals on 25 shots.

    The 18-year-old continued his hot play this week with a pair of stellar outings. On Thursday night, Fetterolf was beat twice in the first period but closed the door through the next two periods. He stopped all 10 shots as the 67’s coasted to an 8-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit. The Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program alumnus was the first star of the game Sunday afternoon. The 67’s built a 3-0 lead in the first period, and Fetterolf stopped all 28 shots by the Sarnia Sting as his club won 5-0.