DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: WHL

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Boston Tait (LD)

    Boston Tait

    #4 Wenatchee Wild. Left shot defenseman, 6.02 / 197

    DOB: April 13, 2009

    Boston Tait is a good-sized defensive defenseman who uses his frame effectively to win puck battles, establish possession, and protect the puck during transitions. He displays a good first pass, allowing him to move the puck efficiently out of the defensive zone and help initiate the attack. Defensively, he does a good job closing the gap early, limiting opponents’ time and space to generate offense.

    Tait also brings some offensive ability to his game, possessing a good shot with a nice release. He can get pucks through traffic and toward the net, creating opportunities for rebounds and deflections. His combination of size, defensive awareness, puck protection, and ability to move the puck makes him an intriguing prospect with top-four potential at the professional level.

    Projection: Early second round. Projects as a top-four defenseman at the professional level.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Eli McKamey (F)

    Eli McKamey 

    #17 Tri-City Americans. Right-shot right wing. 5.10 / 184 

    DOB: January 19, 2009

    McKamey is a skilled two-way forward who keeps his feet moving, draws penalties, and shows strong offensive instincts. He has excellent vision as a playmaker, moves the puck efficiently, and can find teammates in scoring positions. When given the opportunity to shoot, he has the release and accuracy to beat goaltenders. He also sees time playing the point on the power play, where his puck distribution and offensive awareness can be valuable assets. 

    Defensively, McKamey needs to make better decisions when operating at the point on the power play, as mistakes in that position can lead to short-handed opportunities for the opposition. Adding more physicality to his game would also help him become a more complete player. 

    His point production is beginning to trend upward, and he is showing signs of growing confidence. As he matures and continues to develop, I believe he has the potential to become a productive offensive contributor. 

    Projection: Middle of the fourth round in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. Despite standing 5’10”, McKamey’s playmaking ability, offensive vision, and scoring touch give him the potential to develop into a top-six forward at the professional level. His size may be a consideration for some NHL teams, but continued production and improvement could strengthen his draft stock. 

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Roberts Naudins (F)

    Roberts Naudins

    #18 Penticton Vees.  Center.  6.06. 210lbs

    DOB: November 28, 2008

    Naudins is a big center in his first year in the WHL. He is very responsible and trustworthy in the D-zone, getting down low and covering in front of the net to support the defenceman. When he is F2 or F3, he stays high, covers the high slot, and gets in shooting and passing lanes to stop cross-ice passes and point shots. In the offensive zone, he does well when he goes to the net, using his size to protect the puck and bang in rebounds.

    He needs to use his size more and play bigger and more physically. Drive to the net more than taking shots from low-danger areas from the outside. Naudins should utilize his size more effectively and play a more physical game. He can improve his faceoff skills and work on leaning into opposing players to create turnovers. He can do this by playing more aggressively and using his strength to gain an advantage on the ice.

    With his size and as he continues to mature on the ice, I think he can be a solid two-way bottom-six forward with enough offensive skill to produce as a depth forward. I see him as a 2nd- to 4th-round pick.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Odin Vauhkonen (LD)

    Odin Vauhkonen

    #4 Victoria Royals. Left shot defenseman. 6.02/189

    DOB: September 16, 2008

    Odin Vauhkonen projects as a dependable defensive defenseman with the tools to develop into an NHL second- or third-pairing contributor. He plays a mature, structured game and consistently makes smart decisions with the puck. While his primary value comes from his defensive reliability, he also shows solid playmaking ability and can contribute to the power play. Vauhkonen moves the puck effectively, distributes with confidence, and helps maintain possession through clean exits and simple, efficient plays.

    Defensively, he is an engaged shot blocker who willingly sacrifices his body to protect the net. One of his better habits is closing gaps early and using body positioning to separate opponents from the puck before dangerous plays can develop. His awareness and willingness to compete make him a difficult defender to play against.

    To maximize his potential, Vauhkonen would benefit from adding strength and becoming more powerful on his skates. Improving the speed of his puck movement will help reduce turnovers under pressure, while better anticipation and preparation for opponent transitions out of the offensive zone will strengthen his overall defensive game.

    At this stage, I project Vauhkonen as a middle second-round selection with the upside to become a reliable NHL second- or third-pairing defenseman.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Schaeffer Gordon-Carroll (C)

    Schaeffer Gordon-Carroll

    #11 Medicine Hat Tigers. Right shot centre. 6.00 / 193

    DOB: November 26, 2008

    Gordon-Carroll projects as a hard-nosed power forward who consistently impacts the game in all three zones. His defining qualities are his pro-level puck movement, excellent one-timer execution, and quick, accurate release. He displays soft hands in tight areas and has the skill to create offense while playing through contact.

    A highly competitive player, Gordon-Carroll, applies relentless pressure in the offensive zone and forces defenders into mistakes through his tenacity and work ethic. He is willing to establish position in the blue paint, absorb punishment, and create traffic to generate scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His effectiveness around the net is a significant asset.

    He is also a dependable penalty killer and a strong face-off performer, providing value in key defensive situations and late-game scenarios. His combination of skill, compete level, and willingness to play a physical, hard-driving style makes him a difficult player to defend against.

    At this stage, I project Gordon-Carroll as a late first-round selection with the upside to develop into a reliable second- or third-line NHL centre who can contribute to both special teams roles.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Jaxon Jacobson (C)

    Jaxon Jacobson

    #9 Brandon Wheat Kings. Left shot centre. 5.11 / 190

    DOB: December 11, 2008 

    Jaxon Jacobson is an offensive forward who contributes in all situations, seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill. He displays good puck-handling ability and uses strong body positioning to protect possession and prevent opponents from separating him from the puck. His growth in the faceoff circle has been noticeable, as he has developed into a more reliable option on draws.

    On this viewing, Jacobson appeared somewhat flat compared to expectations. His backchecking effort was inconsistent, and he will need to keep his feet moving more consistently to improve his pace and overall effectiveness. Increased quickness and urgency away from the puck would help elevate his impact at both ends of the ice.

    Despite an underwhelming performance on this particular night, Jacobson remains a prospect with offensive upside and versatility. Based on this viewing and his body of work to date, I currently rank him 16th among eligible prospects. His long-term NHL projection is as a dependable 3/4 centre role while contributing on special teams.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Kayden Stroeder (C)

    Kayden Stroeder

    #10 Edmonton Oil Kings, Left shot centre. 6.00 / 165

    DOB: March 1, 2009

    Kayden Stroeder is a reliable two-way centre who impacts the game in all three zones. He plays with a high compete level and consistently works hard every shift. Stroeder is strong on his skates, allowing him to maintain possession through contact and win battles along the boards. He skates well with quick feet and above-average speed, enabling him to pressure opponents, close on pucks, and support the attack. He is trusted in all situations, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill, where he does an effective job of plugging passing and shooting lanes. His awareness and work ethic make him a dependable presence in defensive situations while still providing offensive upside. 

    To take the next step, improving his faceoff effectiveness will be important, particularly if he projects as a full-time NHL centre. Overall, Stroeder projects as a late first-round selection, currently around the 25th overall range. Depending on his development and organizational fit, he has the potential to become a first- or second-line NHL centre who can be utilized in all situations.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Brock England (C)

    #16 Seattle Thunderbirds, left-shot centre. 5.10 / 160

    DOB: August 22, 2009

    England is an offensive-minded centre with the skill set and hockey sense to project as a future first-line NHL forward. He combines good speed and agility with strong offensive instincts, consistently finding open ice and getting pucks to the net quickly. A natural shooter, he creates scoring chances with his release while also displaying good playmaking ability, making him a threat as both a scorer and facilitator.

    He contributes effectively on the power play and shows a willingness to compete in all three zones. Defensively, England does a good job disrupting passing and shooting lanes, recovering pucks, and making efficient exits from the defensive zone. He adds value through his physical play, willingness to block shots, and ability to win key faceoffs, helping his team gain possession in important situations.

    England’s combination of offensive upside, two-way awareness, and competitive nature makes him a highly intriguing prospect. He impacts the game in a variety of ways and has shown the traits NHL organizations look for in a top-line centre. At this stage, he projects as a potential top-10 selection in the 2027 NHL Draft, with legitimate first-line NHL centre upside.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Brock Cripps

    Brock Cripps

    #12 Prince Albert Raiders. Right-shot defenseman. 5.11 / 166

    DOB: July 23, 2009

    Player Type: Offensive Defenseman

    Report: Cripps is an offensively driven defenseman whose game is built around puck movement, creativity, and offensive instincts. He displays excellent poise under pressure, consistently keeping his head up and identifying passing lanes. His puck movement is quick, deceptive, and efficient, allowing him to create opportunities in transition and the offensive zone. He possesses a strong shot, soft hands, and the confidence to carry the puck through traffic and attack the net. Cripps is effective on both special teams units, serving as a power-play quarterback while also contributing on the penalty kill. His agility, edgework, anticipation, active stick, and ability to hold the offensive blue line help maintain possession and generate scoring chances.

    I would like to see him use his shot more. Defensively, there is room for growth with respect to plugging lanes and shot blocking. I would like to see him use the physical side of his game more consistently and simplify decisions when necessary. 

    Projection: This early in the season, I have him at 12th overall in the 2027 NHL Draft. Long term, I see him as a second- or third-pairing defenseman with offensive upside.

  • Ryan McGregor Ranks the Blackhawks Top 10 Prospects

    Ryan McGregor Ranks the Blackhawks Top 10 Prospects

    While many of the Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects have now graduated to full-time NHL players, they still have a loaded pipeline with a ton of talent spread across many leagues. As we approach the start of the 2026-2027 season, I thought it would be fun to take a look at what I think are the top 10 prospects in the Blackhawks system.

    On my list, for a player to qualify as a prospect, they must be under the age of 23, with fewer than 50 NHL games played. For goaltenders, they must be under the age of 25, with fewer than 25 starts in the NHL.

    1. Anton Frondell

    Anton Frondell is easily the Blackhawks’ highest-upside prospect. After being taken third overall in 2025, scoring 20 goals in the SHL as an 18-year-old, and putting up nine points in 12 games with the Blackhawks, Frondell is expected to take on a big role this upcoming season.

    The 6”1’ Swedish center is a highly skilled, two-way forward with a cannon of a shot. In his 12 games with the Blackhawks, Frondell shot the puck 93.5 miles per hour (MPH), ranking in the 94th percentile. However, it’s the smaller details of his game that really impress me. Most notably, his board work. Frondell is skilled along the wall; he can win battles, protect the puck, and he can make plays off the wall in all three zones.

    The only part of his game that didn’t impress me at the NHL level was his speed. Last season, Frondell reached a top speed of 21.1 MPH, ranking in the bottom 50th percentile. However, Frondell plays a mature, 2-way game that doesn’t require him to be one of the fastest players in the NHL.

    2. Roman Kantserov

    In years past, Roman Kantserov wouldn’t have ranked this high on this list. However, after putting up a league-leading 36 goals in the KHL last season, Kantserov has Blackhawks fans and management very optimistic about what he can do at the NHL level. Kantserov was drafted in the second round of the 2023 Draft and signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks this summer. He is set to open the season with them. The 5”9’ center may be undersized, but he plays a big game. Kantserov is a goal scorer. He has a good shot, but it’s his ability to find the open ice in tight spaces that makes him so dangerous. Last season, Kantserov scored 36 regular-season goals; 31 of them came from the middle of the ice, below the faceoff circles.

    3. Nick Lardis

    Nick Lardis made himself one of the most compelling Blackhawks prospects after scoring 71 goals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2024-2025. Turning pro this past season, the biggest question around his game was whether or not his scoring ability could translate to the professional game. Lardis’ first year pro was successful. Scoring 28 goals in 76 games between the AHL and the NHL. Beyond his lethal shot, Lardis is a relatively fast skater, and he developed his defensive game at the NHL level last season. After his second call-up in March, Lardis spent seven games on the fourth line, where he showed the coaching staff he can play a responsible two-way game. His reward: top-six minutes, where he showed he can be a dangerous offensive option. With more internal competition this season, there is no guarantee Lardis cracks a spot on the Blackhawks roster.

    4. Vaclav Nestrasil

    Vaclav Nestrasil is another guy who seemingly came out of nowhere as one of the Blackhawks top prospects. After being drafted 25th overall out of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2025, Nestrasil went to the University of Massachusetts – Amherst (UMass). As a Freshman, Nestrasil had a great season, putting up 13 goals and 31 points in 34 games.

    At the World Juniors, Nestrasil represented Czechia, where he dominated. Putting up eight points in seven games, Nestrasil showed off his skill, playmaking ability, and lethal shot. Nestrasil will play out the 25/26 season at UMass, where he looks to build on last year’s success. Nestrasil is a big body (6”5’, 187lbs), skilled forward who loves to crash the net. 11 of his 13 goals last season came from below the hash marks. One of his biggest strengths is finding open ice in front of the net.

    5. Sacha Boisvert

    Sacha Boisvert has had a few ups and downs since being drafted 18th overall in 2024. Most notably, his Sophomore Year at Boston University (BU), where he not only underproduced but also fell into bad habits, leading to disciplinary action by the team. Boisvert put up three goals and 17 points in 26 games last season with BU and was a healthy scratch in an elimination game due to being late to a team workout. Boisvert joined the Blackhawks late in the season,
    where he played seven games and put up one goal and one assist. In my opinion, Boisvert looked just fine at the NHL level. My only critiques were his lack of physicality and his foot speed. This summer, Boisvert added significant muscle, which he’ll need if he wants to be a premier power forward in the NHL. Boisvert will likely start next season in Rockford, but watch for him in camp; he has something to prove.

    6. Xavier Villeneuve

    The Blackhawks have a potential draft steal in Xavier Villeneuve, taking him early in the second round at the 2026 NHL Draft. Villeneuve is an undersized (5’11″, 162 lbs) offensive defenseman who was slated as a potential first-rounder before the draft. The Quebec native put up 35 points in 37 games last season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

    It’s hard not to compare Villeneuve to a guy like Lane Hutson, or even Cole Hutson, for that matter. They all play small, fast, skill games, which make them all so dangerous in the offensive zone. This upcoming season, Villeneuve will be taking a page right out of the Hutson brothers’ playbook, as he is set to play for the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA. Villeneuve’s decision to play college hockey was a smart one. He’s shown he can dominate the blueline in junior hockey. Now the undersized, offensively gifted defenseman will have the opportunity to learn how to play against older, bigger competition.

    7. Drew Commesso

    I contemplated including goaltenders on this list; they are very hard to project, and they have very different timelines than most skaters. However, I felt that Drew Commesso deserved to be on this list. Commesso is currently 24 years old and had a small taste of NHL action last season. If you recall, the Blackhawks were hit with a bug in January; both Knight and Soderblom were unavailable. Commesso had to come in and play in both games of a back-to-back.

    The second game was a shutout on the road against Nashville. Commesso looked solid in his three NHL games last season. Posting a .917 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average. Commesso has spent the last three seasons in the AHL, where he put up a .901 save percentage or better every year. Going into his fourth professional season, Commesso hopes to earn his spot in the NHL. Spencer Knight is going to be the starter, but there is a good case to be made for Commesso for the backup role.

    8. Marek Vanacker

    Marek Vanacker is a prospect who fell in many rankings due to a lackluster, shortened draft +1 season. Vanacker was coming off of a 36-goal, 82-point season when he got drafted, and followed up with only 42 points in 45 games. This season, however, Vanacker led the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in goals with 47 and finished with 82 points in 60 games.

    Vanacker plays a team-focused game, not too often taking matters into his own hands. Vanacker led the OHL not only in goals last year, but also in scoring chances with 321. This upcoming season will be Vanacker’s first taste of professional hockey, likely with the Rockford IceHogs. With a loaded pipeline and limited roster spots, watch for Vanacker to make a push for a full-time NHL spot in the 2027-2028 season.

    9. Ryan Roobroeck

    Ryan Roobroeck was selected immediately after Xavier Villeneuve in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Like Villeneuve, Roobroeck had been considered a potential first-round pick going into his draft year. Roobroeck’s draft stock started to drop as the season went on. His goal total dropped from 41 to 30, and his point total from 87 to 58. Beyond just his production, scouts began to question Roobroeck’s engagement.

    Some nights, Roobroeck is fully engaged, physical, and a scoring threat. Other nights, he lacks physical intensity and pace. Standing at 6’3 “, 209 lbs, Roobroeck has the tools to be an effective power forward at the NHL level. Roobroeck is an adequate skater when he reaches his top speed. However, his acceleration leaves a lot to be desired. This upcoming season, Roobroeck will be staying in the OHL, playing for the Guelph Storm.

    10. Mason West

    In 2025, Kyle Davidson traded back up into the first round to take the 6’6”, 207 lbs center out of the USHL, Mason West, at 29th overall. A massive swing for the Blackhawks, but if West hits, he could be a huge piece of the rebuild. West is a dual-sport athlete (football) who recently fully committed to hockey. Putting up 25 points in 38 games with Fargo Force last season, West demonstrated his impressive skating for his size, as well as his intelligence and creativity with the puck. Next season, Mason West will be going to Michigan State University, one of the best NCAA programs. He will have the opportunity to play with players like Ryker Lee, Ethan Belchetz, and Chase Reid. West is certainly a project, but could pan out to be a solid middle-six center.

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