DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: WHL

  • 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)

  • 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.

  • Evaluating the Crease: 2026 NHL Draft Goaltender Spotlight

    After completing at least three viewings on each goalie listed below in the latter part of their respective
    seasons, I wanted to put together a more complete spotlight on some of the most intriguing draft-eligible
    goaltenders in this class. The goal here wasn’t only to evaluate results or statistics, but rather to identify
    projectable technical habits, physical tools, decision-making, and long-term upside through multiple live
    viewings and game situations.
    The following reports focus on the elements that stood out the most in recent viewings and how each
    goalie currently projects heading into the NHL Draft.

    Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
    Carter Casey is probably one of the most electrifying goalies in this class and, in my opinion, the best
    mover of the bunch. He’s constantly active in his crease and stands out with his quickness, speed, and
    mobility. His athleticism allows him to contort his body and extend his legs to put himself in excellent
    position to make all kinds of saves without compromising his recoveries or overall structure.
    In my most recent viewings, I particularly liked the way he tracked pucks on long-range shots through
    traffic. He followed the puck extremely well even when it changed direction and reacted on time to place
    his body in front of tipped shots. That greatly helped limit dangerous rebounds and second chances.
    Casey also displayed excellent anticipatory habits on cross-crease plays, reading passes and identifying
    the shooter rather than simply following the puck.
    High-shot tracking remains something to monitor. On a few occasions, some pucks didn’t appear to be
    tracked cleanly and his body reacted with a recoil-like motion, with his head retracting into his shoulders.
    Casey also tends to drop to his knees too quickly instead of holding his edges longer, which can leave
    him vulnerable to passing plays and secondary chances.
    Overall, Casey projects very well thanks to his speed, athleticism, and the control element he’s
    progressively adding to his game. He should hear his name called somewhere around the third round of
    the draft.

    William Lacelle, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
    William Lacelle is another highly skilled goalie who may lack a bit of size by NHL standards. His biggest
    strength is undoubtedly the precision and speed of his movements, but digging deeper, his puck tracking
    is not far from elite.
    He reads releases extremely well and consistently keeps sight of the puck in nearly every situation. I also
    really liked his play reading. He has a strong feel for how sequences develop in the defensive zone and
    adjusts his game accordingly. The fact that he’s both quick and intelligent allows him to play aggressively
    while maintaining excellent angle coverage and strong recoveries on lateral plays and second chances.

    That said, his speed and aggressive movement habits can sometimes work against him. There are
    sequences where he overmoves and ends up needing extra effort to recover positioning.
    Some teams may hesitate because of his lack of size, but he compensates with elite traits that, in my
    opinion, should guarantee him a selection in the third round or, at worst, the fourth.

    Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
    When watching Harrison Boettiger play, the first word that comes to mind is smooth. Everything about his
    game looks fluid, from the way he moves to the way he controls pucks. He’s particularly effective in the
    butterfly, sealing the ice extremely well with a wide flare and powerful drops.
    His butterfly slides are elite, efficient, and look effortless. That makes him very difficult to beat on low
    shots and highly effective on recoveries. I also like his puck tracking. While it may not be elite, it’s clearly
    above average, especially in how quickly he reads releases.
    However, it hasn’t always been his most consistent trait. I noticed some sequences where he briefly lost
    focus, which led to softer goals on clean long-range shots.
    Boettiger will also need to improve his play recognition and anticipation. Too often, he relies on his
    athleticism and excellent slides to cover space instead of anticipating plays before they fully develop.
    He’s a goalie with a lot of tools that I really like, but I don’t currently see enough to place him ahead of the
    goalies I value in the first three rounds of the draft.

    Vladimir Proskurin, Atlant Mytishchi
    Vladimir Proskurin is one of the goalies who has made the biggest jump in my rankings throughout the
    season. Once viewed as a speedy goalie with some erratic tendencies, he has made tremendous
    progress controlling his movements and staying precise without sacrificing his elite traits.
    And the list of elite tools is long: quick feet, crisp edges, high-end athleticism. He also plays with an
    aggressive but controlled approach that makes him look much bigger than he actually is. That says a lot
    about how efficiently he covers angles.
    His puck tracking was also very good and he used active hands to catch and control pucks, limiting
    dangerous rebounds.
    The main thing I’d still like to see more of is his awareness of backside threats and peripheral options. He
    often reacts after the pass and relies heavily on athleticism to cover the distance.
    I really like both the upside and progression curve with Proskurin. He checks a lot of boxes for what
    modern NHL teams look for in a goalie and he should be one of the first goalies selected in the next NHL
    Draft.

    Dmitri Ivchenko, Omskie Yastreby
    I’ve said it multiple times already, but Ivchenko is probably one of my favorite goalies in this class and
    certainly one of the most projectable long-term. The level of competition he faced was questioned
    throughout the year, but it’s impossible to ignore the tools and projectable traits he displayed all season.
    His overall game is extremely clean, but what stood out most was his ability to slow plays down and make
    everything look easy. That translated into elite puck tracking. His eyes stayed locked on the puck from the
    shooter all the way into his body. Whenever he gave up a rebound, his eyes stayed with the puck, making
    his recoveries quick and controlled.
    Throughout all my recent viewings, he remained extremely well positioned thanks to strong anticipation
    and highly efficient crease routes.
    There honestly weren’t many weaknesses that stood out in his game. However, on some occasions, he
    stayed locked into the overlap position for too long, which made him vulnerable against sharp-angle
    shooters and passing plays. Also, while his blocker stayed projected on slides and he caught nearly
    everything to the glove side, his hands could still become more active while moving to further improve
    angle coverage.
    Bottom line, Ivchenko will be near the very top of my goalie rankings and I fully believe he’s worthy of a
    third-round selection.

    Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders
    Michal Orsulak’s stock is clearly trending upward right now, especially with Prince Albert playing in the
    WHL Final and after helping Czechia reach the final of the most recent World Junior Championship.
    Orsulak is a re-entry candidate after going undrafted last year before making the move to North America
    this season. At first glance, he has all the tools to be viewed as one of the top goalie prospects available.
    He’s big and possesses excellent mobility, especially through his lower body. That allows him to cover the
    ice very effectively. His legs stay active while in the butterfly, making him highly efficient on his knees.
    In my recent viewings, he was extremely difficult to beat on low shots. He also uses his large frame very
    well to stay square and take away a significant portion of the net. Despite his size, Orsulak moves fairly
    well overall.
    That said, I have major questions regarding his top-end lateral speed. On many occasions, he anticipated
    plays well and quickly identified the new shooter on passing sequences, but he lacked the pure speed
    needed to fully cover the distance and get set in position to make the save. That issue led to goals
    against, especially on plays coming from the corners or from behind the net. After multiple viewings, it
    looked more like a recurring trend than isolated mistakes.
    Also, while he read releases quickly, he didn’t always seem to fully track the puck into his body, which led
    to several uncontrolled rebounds into dangerous areas.
    For those reasons, I can’t fully buy into the trend of placing him near the top of my rankings. The lack of
    elite lateral speed and the concerns surrounding his puck tracking force me to rank him behind more
    complete prospects in those areas. Still, Orsulak remains a legitimate middle-round candidate in this
    draft.

  • U18 World Championship – Goaltending Review: Who Rose, Who Fell, and Who Came Out of Nowhere

    The goaltending picture at the 2026 U18 World Championship was, as usual, a mix of
    confirmation, disappointment, and genuine surprise. Some prospects used the tournament as a
    launching pad. Others reminded us why evaluation is never a straight line. And at least one
    name that wasn’t on anyone’s radar deserves serious attention heading into June.

    Here is my breakdown of the goaltenders who stood out, who underwhelmed, and who made
    the most unexpected impression of the tournament.

    Who stood out
    Martin Psohlavec — CZE

    I had been watching Psohlavec in the Czech U20 league for a while, quietly impressed but
    wondering how the step up in competition would treat him. International play at this age group is
    a different animal. The pace is faster, the reads have to come quicker, and the mental load is
    heavier. He answered every question.

    What struck me first against Sweden was his engagement level. He wasn’t passive in his
    crease. He was active, challenging shooters with controlled aggressiveness while still
    communicating with his defenders through consistent shoulder checks. That kind of awareness,
    the willingness to act as an extra set of eyes on the ice, is something you can’t really teach. He
    plays a mature game for his age.

    Technically, his puck tracking was reliable and his rebound control was effective throughout the
    tournament. Against Finland, he showed improved quickness and well-positioned hands that
    maximized his save radius. His post integration was strong, mixing RVH and overlap at
    appropriate moments rather than defaulting to one option. His anticipatory habits were also
    evident: reading passes early and arriving set without oversliding.

    The main technical flag is his cross-crease slide trajectory, which was too linear at times,
    creating exploitable openings. And he did struggle on some clean perimeter shots in the
    Sweden semifinal, reacting a tick late. Extended recoveries can also cost him structure
    occasionally. These are refinement issues, not foundational ones.

    By the end of the tournament, Psohlavec had significantly elevated his draft stock. He came in
    as an underrated name and left as a legitimate middle to late with clear upside. This is the kind
    of tournament performance scouts remember.


    Patriks Plūmiņš — LAT

    If you asked me to cast ballot with the name of the most valuable goaltender at this tournament,
    it would be Plūmiņš without hesitation. Latvia is not a hockey powerhouse, and the league and
    competition level he plays in during the regular season makes it genuinely difficult to evaluate
    him properly throughout the year. You’re always left wondering how much of what you’re seeing
    is quality and how much is context.

    He answered that definitively in this tournament.

    Forty-eight saves in a high-pressure QF elimination game, with the Americans throwing
    everything at him: traffic, physical play, sustained zone time. He remained composed and
    confident from start to finish. His puck tracking through traffic was excellent: seeing pucks
    cleanly, reacting quickly to releases, and keeping his hands decisive. Very few dangerous
    rebounds. That kind of performance, under that kind of pressure, against that level of
    competition, tells you a lot about a goaltender’s character.

    Across the tournament, his athletic base was his biggest calling card. Strong lower-body power,
    excellent flexibility, an ability to widen his stance and seal the ice effectively. Against Finland, he
    stopped 32 of 34 shots and showed a solid athletic foundation that allowed him to cover large
    areas of the net. Against Norway, he highlighted both his upside and his rawness: the lower
    body impressive, the upper body and hands more rigid, his compact stance occasionally limiting
    him.

    The main concern remains his structure on extended recoveries. In several sequences, he lost
    his balance and ended up on his back or seated, which becomes a problem when better teams
    generate second and third chances. His edge control and movement efficiency also need some
    refinements.

    But here is the reality: if Plūmiņš was not on draft boards before this tournament, he needs to be
    now. If he was, he’s now definitely higher. A mid-round selection appears to be locked, and
    depending on how teams weigh tournament performance, he could even exceed that. He is a
    hot commodity heading into June.

    Who did not


    Pyry Lammi — FIN

    I wanted Lammi to prove people wrong. NHL Central scouting did not include him in their
    preliminary list, and I thought there was a real chance this tournament could change that. His
    speed and athleticism are genuine and they catch your eye immediately. But being a smaller
    goaltender means the margin for error is narrower, and the technical details matter even more.
    You need to be fundamentally ahead of plays, not reactive to them.

    Against Latvia, even in a shutout, the concerns were visible. Lammi plays a reactive style rather
    than an anticipatory one. He was gathering information after the fact, leading to suboptimal
    positioning. There was a rush sequence where he defaulted to RVH despite no legitimate
    passing threat, the correct read there is an overlap for better coverage. Those details, small as
    they seem, compound over a full game against better competition.

    Against Canada, it fell apart. He looked overwhelmed by sustained pressure, losing sight of the
    puck frequently and breaking down structurally on passing plays and rebounds. His play
    recognition and recoveries were problematic. After goals, he appeared disoriented, suggesting
    difficulty processing sequences in real time. For a smaller goalie, where positioning and reads
    are the great equalizer, these are significant issues.

    This tournament did not help his cause. He could fall outside the draft range entirely, and it
    would be hard to argue against that assessment based on what I saw here.


    Viggo Tamm — SWE

    Tamm came into the tournament with some expectation attached to his name in a weaker
    Swedish goalie draft class, but he never established himself as the starter Sweden needed. The
    time he did play, he looked lost, unable to impose himself on the game or give his team the
    confidence that a top goaltending performance can provide.

    There is not much more to say. At a tournament where you need to seize your opportunity, he
    didn’t. His draft stock will reflect that.

    Special mention
    Anton Wilde — DEN

    I will be honest: I did not have Anton Wilde on my radar before this tournament. Denmark does
    not typically produce goaltenders who draw serious NHL draft attention, and there was nothing
    in his pre-tournament profile that demanded a closer look.

    Then he stopped 54 shots against the United States.

    What made the performance remarkable was not just the shot volume , it was how he managed
    the game. Against a high-powered USA offense that generated sustained pressure from start to
    finish, Wilde remained calm and composed. He kept his game simple and controlled, relying on excellent patience on his edges and sound positioning. He consistently arrived set and square
    to shooters, making it difficult for the Americans to catch him off guard. His rebound control was
    a key factor as well, slowing the pace in the defensive zone and giving his defenders the time
    they needed to reset.

    Coming off a strong first start against Germany, his confidence was evident. This was not a
    goaltender hanging on. It was a goaltender competing, and competing well.

    The realistic outcome here is a late-round selection, and even that would be based almost
    entirely on these tournament performances rather than a deep body of work. But at minimum,
    Wilde has now put himself on the map. If nothing else, this should generate genuine interest in
    bringing him to North America to continue his junior career, and that conversation, a few weeks
    ago, would not have happened at all.

    Sometimes a tournament creates a player. For Wilde, that’s exactly what happened here.

    Final Thought

    Goaltending evaluation at the U18 level is always imprecise. Sample sizes are small,
    competition quality varies, and development timelines for goaltenders are notoriously long. The
    key is not to overreact on good or bad performances. But tournaments like this one are
    valuable precisely because they strip away context and this year performances were too
    impressive to ignore. Everyone is playing under the same pressure, against the same
    competition, at the same time. The draft will tell us how much of it stuck or not for these
    prospects.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    As playoff races near their conclusion across North America and international play ramps up ahead of the World Championship, draft-eligible prospects continue to deliver defining performances. With championships within reach and national team opportunities on the line, this stage of the season offers a clear look at which players can elevate their game in high-pressure moments.

    This week’s three stars feature a Western Hockey League defenseman leading the postseason in scoring while driving his team toward a title, an Ontario Hockey League center continuing to anchor one of the league’s top contenders, and a Swedish winger transitioning seamlessly from junior and professional success to the international stage.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

    Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Daxon Rudolph is putting together a dominant postseason. The 12th-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings leads the WHL in playoff scoring with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 15 games, continuing to assert himself as one of the top offensive threats in the draft class.

    The Lacombe, Alberta native has built on a strong regular season in which he led all draft-eligible WHL defensemen in scoring, serving as a primary driver for Prince Albert’s push toward a championship.

    Rudolph opened the scoring in Game 3 of the WHL Eastern Conference Final against the Medicine Hat Tigers. After collecting the puck off an offensive zone draw, he worked his way into the slot, flipped a backhand on goal, and followed up to tip in the rebound. He finished with a game-high eight shots on goal in a 2-1 overtime loss.

    He delivered his most productive outing of the postseason in Game 4, setting a new career high for points in a playoff game. Rudolph struck on the power play from the point midway through the first period, then added another goal early in the second, slipping into the offensive zone and wiring a wrist shot over the glove. He later recorded two assists in the same frame as the Raiders built a 5-2 lead.

    Rudolph added an assist in Game 5 before closing the series with another impactful performance. He recorded a secondary power-play assist on a goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes, then created the go-ahead tally by cutting off a clearing attempt and directing the puck toward the net, where it took a fortunate bounce past the goaltender. He added another assist to help secure the series win.

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Caleb Malhotra has continued to build on an outstanding rookie season, reinforcing his position as one of the top centers in the 2026 NHL Draft class. The Brantford Bulldogs forward finished the regular season with 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists), trailing only Seattle Kraken first-round pick Jake O’Brien in team scoring.

    The Toronto native has elevated his play in the postseason, sitting second in OHL playoff scoring with 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists). His ability to consistently generate offense has been a key factor in Brantford’s deep playoff run.

    Malhotra recorded three assists in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Barrie Colts before adding a power-play goal in the third period to cap a 6-1 victory.

    He opened the scoring in Game 5 with an individual effort, taking a breakout pass into the offensive zone and beating the goaltender with a slapshot through the five-hole. Later in the game, he responded to a Colts goal by driving the net and converting a rebound off a shot from Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Protz. Despite his efforts, Brantford fell in overtime.

    In Game 6, Malhotra helped set the tone early once again. He intercepted a clearing attempt and quickly moved the puck to the front of the net, where draft-eligible Cooper Dennis converted. That stood as his lone point in a tightly contested game that extended to four periods, with Barrie ultimately securing the win.

    Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | Sweden

    Ivar Stenberg continues to strengthen his case as one of the premier prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft class. The Stenungsund native enjoyed an outstanding SHL season, recording 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games — the fifth-highest total by an 18-year-old in league history, behind Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, Tomas Sandström, and Henrik Sedin.

    Stenberg also played a significant role in Sweden’s gold medal run at the World Junior Championship, finishing tied for fifth in tournament scoring.

    The second-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings transitioned to the international stage once again following his club season. After recording four assists in six playoff games, he joined Sweden’s pre-tournament roster for the World Championship and suited up for three Euro Hockey Tour games in Czechia.

    He made an immediate impact in his first appearance against Switzerland, recording his first senior international point by setting up fellow draft-eligible Viggo Björck on a play from the offensive zone. He added another assist by moving the puck back to the point before scoring a power-play goal late in the third, stepping in and placing a precise wrist shot past the goaltender.

    Stenberg followed that performance by opening the scoring against Czechia, beating the goaltender cleanly with a wrist shot from the offensive zone. He added a secondary assist later in the game, continuing to drive play.

    He was held off the scoresheet in the final game against Finland but remained an active presence throughout the contest.

  • Game Report – Everett Silvertips 3 vs Kelowna Rockets 4 OT – April 15th, 2026

    Game Report – April 15th, 2026

    Everett Silvertips 3 vs Kelowna Rockets 4 OT

    Venue: Prospera Place

    Brek Liske. #42 Everett Silvertips. January 9, 2008. Right shot defenseman. 6.02 / 187

    Description: Above-average sized, two-way defenseman with a reliable, steady presence.

    Strengths: Skates well with solid edge work, allowing him to maintain positioning and close gaps effectively. Moves the puck efficiently, highlighted by crisp, accurate first passes out of the zone. Owns a good shot with a quick release, making him a secondary threat from the point. Defensively, he’s intelligent and composed—uses body positioning and an active stick to disrupt plays and limit opponents’ time and space. Competes hard along the boards and shows consistency on the penalty kill. Offensively, he leans more toward playmaking than finishing, contributing through puck distribution rather than goal scoring.

    Opportunity: Needs to add strength to better win physical battles and more consistently separate opponents from the puck. Could play with greater urgency in transition to help move the puck up ice faster. At times, forces risky passes in high-danger areas, particularly in front of his own net.

    Projection: 4th Round, 115th overall — projects as a reliable middle-pair (top 4) defenseman.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    Playoff races across the hockey world continued to intensify this week, offering draft-eligible prospects another opportunity to separate themselves through timely production and impactful performances. With each round raising the stakes, consistency and the ability to deliver in key moments remain critical factors in shaping the 2026 NHL Draft landscape.

    This week’s three stars feature a top OHL center continuing to drive one of the league’s most dangerous contenders, a high-scoring WHL defenseman leading from the back end, and a Slovakian pivot finding ways to contribute as his club pushes deeper into the postseason.

    Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of April 6 to April 13.

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Brantford Bulldogs center Caleb Malhotra continues to be a driving force behind one of the OHL’s top contenders. The Toronto native sits fifth in playoff scoring with 13 points (eight goals, five assists), making him the only draft-eligible player among the league’s top five scorers this postseason. A finalist for the OHL Rookie of the Year award after posting 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists) in the regular season, Malhotra continues to solidify his standing as one of the premier centers in the 2026 draft class.

    The fourth-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings remained productive as Brantford opened its second-round series against the North Bay Battalion. He wasted little time making an impact in Game 1, scoring a power-play goal just over two minutes into the contest by capitalizing on a rebound. Later in the period, he added a primary assist, feathering a pass to Cooper Dennis for a clean finish, before striking again by intercepting a clearing attempt and wiring the puck into the back of the net.

    Malhotra stayed active in Game 2, delivering another timely play late in the opening period. With under 10 seconds remaining, he forced a turnover on the forecheck and flipped a backhand on goal that found its way through the goaltender to beat the buzzer.

    While he was held off the scoresheet in Game 3, Malhotra continued to play a key role in a tightly contested matchup. He logged significant minutes, including extended ice time in double overtime, as the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game late before eventually securing a 3-0 series lead.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

    Daxon Rudolph’s emergence as one of the top offensive defensemen in the 2026 class has continued into the postseason. The Lacombe, Alberta native leads all WHL blueliners in playoff scoring with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) through seven games, building on a dominant regular season in which he paced draft-eligible CHL defensemen in production.

    The 6-foot-2, 203-pound defender played a central role in Prince Albert’s strong start to its series against the Saskatoon Blades. In Game 1, Rudolph extended his team’s lead early, stepping in from the point and beating the goaltender with a well-placed wrist shot. He added a second-period assist with a precise stretch pass that sprung Brandon Gorzynski for a clean finish before picking up another helper on the power play in a 6-1 victory.

    Rudolph followed that performance with another impactful showing in Game 2. Activating off the rush to create a numerical advantage, he directed a shot toward the net that resulted in a rebound goal, helping the Raiders secure a 3-0 win and take early control of the series.

    Tomas Chrenko | C | HK Nitra (Slovakia)

    Tomas Chrenko has continued to build on an impressive draft year that has included strong international and professional experience. The Slovakian center recorded eight points (five goals, three assists) in five games at the 2026 World Junior Championship, showcasing his ability to produce against top competition. He also contributed 31 points (nine goals, 22 assists) in 44 games in Slovakia’s top professional league during the regular season.

    Skating for his hometown club HK Nitra in the postseason, Chrenko has found ways to contribute despite limited ice time. After recording four assists in a seven-game second-round series win, he began to make a greater impact in the semifinals against Poprad.

    In Game 3, Chrenko helped open the scoring by creating a two-on-one opportunity, recovering a loose puck and setting up a teammate for a clean finish. He followed that up with a key contribution in a comeback effort, driving play off the forecheck before feeding a teammate for a one-timer that gave Nitra the lead in an eventual 5-4 victory.

    Chrenko remained involved in Game 5, helping his team respond after an early deficit. Carrying the puck into the offensive zone, he evaded pressure and waited for support before setting up a teammate at the doorstep to tie the game. Nitra went on to rally for a 4-2 win, continuing its push deeper into the postseason.

    Chrenko’s ability to contribute in different situations and against older competition continues to underline his value as an intriguing option in the 2026 draft.

  • Game Report – Saskatoon Blades 3 vs Edmonton Oil Kings 2 OT – April 6th, 2026

    Game Report – April 6th, 2026

    Saskatoon Blades 3 VS Edmonton Oil Kings 4 OT

    Venue: Rogers Place

    Zac Olsen. #9 Saskatoon Blades. March 16, 2008. Right shot right wing. 6.01 / 196

    Description: Above-average sized, two-way power forward who produces offensively at a steady rate.

    Strengths: Hard-nosed winger who consistently creates disruption in and around the net. Establishes strong body position, provides effective screens, and willingly battles in high-traffic areas. Drives the net with intent and finishes checks to wear down opposing defenders. Skates well for his size with above-average speed and solid edge work, allowing him to impact play across all three zones. Competes hard along the boards and wins his share of puck battles. Possesses a reliable shot and adds value on the power play, particularly with his net-front presence. Plays with an edge that brings a physical dimension to his overall game.

    Opportunities: Can improve consistency away from the puck, particularly with defensive positioning and anticipation. Continued development of touch and playmaking ability in tight areas would help elevate his offensive ceiling. Needs to process and move pucks quicker to avoid unnecessary turnovers.

    Projection: Late 2nd round (approximately 60th overall). Projects as a middle-six right winger with a power-forward presence.  

    Cooper Williams. #16 Saskatoon Blades. February 18, 2008. Left shot centre. 6.00 / 166.

    Description: Average-sized, skilled two-way forward with high-end scoring ability.

    Strengths: Strong skater with good pace and smooth edge work, allowing him to navigate effectively in all three zones. Handles the puck well and moves it efficiently in transition. Displays reliable defensive zone coverage and awareness. Owns a quality shot that makes him a legitimate scoring threat.

    Opportunities: Needs to add strength to better handle physical pressure, as he can be knocked off pucks too easily. Improving puck protection will help him maintain possession and create more consistent offense.

    Projection: 3rd round (approximately 84th overall). Projects as a middle-six centre.

  • Game Report – Medicine Hat Tigers 5 vs Regina Pats 4 – April 4th, 2026

    Game Report – April 4th, 2026

    Medicine Hat Tigers 5 VS Regina Pats 4

    Venue: Co-op Place

    Markus Ruck. #26 Medicine Hat Tigers. February 21, 2008, Left shot left wing. 6.00 / 168.

    Description: Above-average sized offensive forward with high-end offensive upside.

    Strengths: Highly intelligent offensive player with strong hockey IQ and reliable puck skills. Displays good hands and above-average playmaking ability, consistently creating quality scoring chances for teammates. Contributes effectively on both special teams—adds value on the power play while also serving as a dependable option on the penalty kill. Finds quiet ice around the net & shows strong net-front presence, and times his positioning well to generate opportunities. Owns a quick release. Competes hard, and uses his body effectively to protect pucks and extend possession.

    Opportunities: Needs to continue refining his defensive zone play and bring more consistent effort and detail away from the puck.

    Projection: 2nd round — 52nd overall. Projects as a middle-six forward.

    Liam Ruck. #12 Medicine Hat Tigers. February 21, 2026, Right shot right wing. 6.00 / 176

    Description: Above-average sized, highly skilled forward with elite offensive ability.

    Strengths: Explosive skater with excellent acceleration, quickness, and top-end speed. Strong edge work allows him to create separation and consistently evade pressure. Moves the puck efficiently and thrives in quick, one-touch sequences that keep the pace of play high. Displays outstanding vision and awareness, regularly identifying and executing plays to teammates in prime scoring areas. High-end hockey IQ and natural offensive instincts make him a constant threat. Dangerous on the power play and also impacts the penalty kill, where he presents a legitimate shorthanded scoring threat. Owns a finishing touch that places him among the top goal scorers observed. Shows strong instincts around the net and capitalizes on opportunities.

    Opportunities: Needs to continue adding strength and become more effective in physical battles and contested areas.

    Projection: 2nd round — 36th overall. Projects as a middle-six forward.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    The playoffs for prospects across the hockey world are now underway, marking a critical stretch where players can separate themselves from the rest of the draft class with standout performances in high-pressure games. This week’s draft-eligible three stars feature a Swedish center on fire in his junior club’s postseason after his pro season ended; a Western Hockey League (WHL) defender who piled up goals in the regular season and continues to do so in the playoffs; and a dynamic Ontario Hockey League (OHL) center who continues to drive one of the most dangerous teams in Canadian major junior hockey.

    Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of March 23 to 30.

    Viggo Björck | C | Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

    Swedish center Viggo Björck wrapped up his first full professional season with respectable totals for an 18-year-old with a March birthday. While his stat line — 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 42 SHL games — doesn’t jump off the page, the Stockholm native was a force at the World Junior Championships, recording nine points (three goals, six assists) for the gold medal-winning squad. Björck also earned increased ice time as the season progressed and was playing a top-line role by the playoffs.

    Despite producing at a point-per-game pace in Djurgårdens’ three-game first-round series against Malmö, Björck and his team were eliminated. That allowed the eighth-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings to join the club’s U20 team, which remained in the playoff hunt. The 5-foot-10 center made an immediate impact in the quarterfinals, helping the team advance to the semifinals.

    In Game 1, Björck recorded a power-play assist midway through the second period as Djurgårdens cruised to a 3-0 win. In Game 2, the IFK Täby product added a secondary assist on the opening goal before sealing a 4-1 victory with an empty-net tally. With a chance to clinch the series in Game 3, Björck delivered his best performance.

    The 2025 U-18 IIHF World Championship silver medalist opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game with a deft backhand finish. He added an assist in the second period as his team built a 3-1 lead, then capped off the win with a power-play one-timer into a nearly empty net. Despite appearing in just three games, Björck leads the league in postseason points per game.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders

    Daxon Rudolph’s calling card in his draft season has been his goal-scoring ability. The WHL sophomore led Canadian major junior defensemen eligible for the draft with 28 goals—eight more than Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound blueliner also added 50 assists, finishing second in CHL scoring among draft-eligible players behind Tommy Bleyl of the Moncton Wildcats.

    The 10th-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings has carried that production into the postseason, facing the Red Deer Rebels in the opening round.

    In Game 1, Rudolph helped facilitate strong puck movement on the power play, earning a secondary assist on a goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes. Early in the second period, Rudolph jumped into the play, initially firing a shot for a potential tip before circling the net and burying the rebound into a nearly empty net. The goal stood as the game-winner in a 4-1 victory.

    Rudolph stayed hot in Game 2 as the Raiders defended home ice. After a scoreless first period, he helped spark the offense in the second, holding the line to keep a play alive before setting up Ben Harvey for a goal.

    Later in the period, while killing a penalty, Cootes intercepted a pass and spotted Rudolph streaking through the neutral zone. The defender took the pass in stride and wired a wrist shot over the goaltender’s glove. He later added another power-play assist, bringing his total to five points through two games.

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Caleb Malhotra played a key role in helping the Brantford Bulldogs finish atop the OHL standings this season. He ranked second on the team in scoring behind Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O’Brien, posting 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists). That total also placed him second among draft-eligible OHL players, trailing only Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Kelpov. The son of longtime NHLer and current AHL coach Manny Malhotra has firmly established himself as one of the top centers in the 2026 draft class.

    Malhotra has carried that momentum into the playoffs, recording four points through two games in the opening round.

    In Game 1, the former Chilliwack Chief extended his team’s lead to 3-0 in the second period, capitalizing on a rebound during a power play. He struck again later in the frame, picking off a clearing attempt and wiring a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle to make it 5-2. The Bulldogs went on to win 6-2.

    Malhotra remained a difference-maker in Game 2. On an early power play, Marek Vanacker recovered a broken play and found Malhotra alone at the backdoor for an easy tap-in to open the scoring. Later, with under five minutes remaining in the second period, Malhotra led the rush and threaded a pass across the zone to Cooper Dennis, who quickly set up a teammate in front to restore the lead. The Bulldogs added an empty-net goal late to secure a 2-0 series advantage.