Adam Goljer – McKeen's Hockey

2026 IIHF U18 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP A – Canada, Slovakia, Finland, Latvia, Norway – Team Previews – Players to Watch

Brock Otten — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:00:28 +0000

The puck drops for the 2026 IIHF U18’s on Wednesday, May 22. Canada is searching for its third straight gold medal, a feat only the United States has pulled off at this event when they won four in a row from 2009 to 2012. In fact, the top four finishers at the U18’s have been identical the last years, with Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Slovakia occupying the top four spots in some order. Will this year be different? History says yes.

Let’s take a look at Group A and preview some of the players to watch.

Canada's Keaton Verhoeff #20 - Canada vs Norway Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Credit Union of Texas Event Center on April 28, 2025 in Allen, Texas, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Canada

As mentioned Canada is searching for unprecedented success at this event (for the nation) as they try to capture their third straight gold medal. As is always the case, the team will be missing some possible key contributors thanks to the ongoing CHL playoffs, but it is always best to focus on the players who are available, versus those who are not. Additionally, Canada always tends to make a few late additions to their roster after the commencement of the tournament, as solid players become available following elimination from the CHL playoffs. Defensively, the team will be (at least initially) led by Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin, two of the premier defenders eligible for the 2026 draft. As of writing this, Carson Carels and the Prince George Cougars are facing elimination in the WHL playoffs. Should he become available he’d become an immediate impact player for this defensive group. Up front Tynan Lawrence will get an opportunity to prove that he deserves to be considered the top center eligible for the 2026 Draft after a disappointing end to the year following a jump to the NCAA with Boston University. The real question lies in net where the team lacks a standout performer. Gavin Betts probably has the best chance to start because he was the Hlinka/Gretzky starter and he did have a strong end to his OHL season with Kingston.

Players to Watch

Keaton Verhoeff (2026)

Verhoeff’s NCAA year with North Dakota certainly had its ups and downs. The freshman played key minutes for North Dakota, helping them advance to the final four of the Frozen Four. However, consistency was an issue and he had some poor performances under the microscope of the Frozen Four late in the year. He now enters this event looking to dominate now that he’s back playing against his peers. He stood out positively as an underager last year and he’s going to get all the ice time that he can handle; scouts will be watching him closely.

Ryan Lin (2026)

A recent commit to the NCAA champion Denver Pioneers, Lin is a terrific offensive defender who, along with Verhoeff, gives Canada two potentially elite puck movers on the back-end. Lin also likely takes charge of the Canadian powerplay, which should be potent given the talent available. Scouts will be looking to see how Lin handles tough defensive assignments and that could be the difference between a lottery selection and a later first slot for him in June.

Tynan Lawrence (2026)

It was a strange year for Lawrence and it has led to a steady drop in the public rankings for him. His performance at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup to start the year was indifferent and then he got hurt at the start of the USHL season. Following a short return to Muskegon (USHL), Lawrence made the controversial decision to join Boston University half way through the year and his production took a big hit. Needless to say, he has a lot to prove at the U18’s, as he’ll be looking to prove to scouts that he does have the upside to be a front line center in the NHL.

Mathis Preston (2026)

It seems like this Canadian roster is filled with players with something to prove at this event and Preston is no different. He didn’t have the kind of season in the WHL many expected of him and this led to a trade from Spokane to Vancouver. An undersized winger, Preston is lightning quick and has offensive skill in spades, but he’ll need to prove that he can elevate his game when playing against the best. Scouts will be looking for him to be more dialed in physically, looking to assert himself more through the middle of the ice, rather than on the perimeter. He should be a first line winger and top powerplay option for Canada here.

Dima Zhilkin (2027)

Very quietly, Zhilkin may have been one of Canada’s top players at the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. After a great year in the OHL with Saginaw, expectations will be high for him at the U18’s as he looks to pace Canada offensively. Not NHL draft eligible until 2027, Zhilkin is a tenacious puck hound who never takes a shift off.

Alexis Joseph (2027)

An early favourite to be a top five selection at the 2027 NHL Draft, Alexis Joseph may be an underager at this event, but he could end up being one of Canada’s top offensive contributors. He dominated the U17’s this year en route to a gold medal and he’ll look to assert himself similarly at the U18’s. Casual hockey fans will likely know the name of Alexis Joseph by the end of this tournament.

Adam Valentini (2026)

No question, Valentini has to be one of this draft’s most polarizing players. He started off the year at the University of Michigan on a high note, but faded as the season went on. He’s intelligent. He’s a hard worker. However, there are significant questions about his NHL projection given his lack of standout athletic tools at his size. He’ll be counted on to be a key offensive contributor for Canada and it will be a great measuring stick for scouts to see him back playing against his own age group.

Maddox Dagenais (2026)

A later addition to this Canadian team after the Quebec Remparts were eliminated in round two, Dagenais is one of our largest risers on our recent rankings release. He moved up to 16th. The big forward has a heavy shot and impressive athletic upside. He’ll look to use this event to show that he can be a more consistent off puck player who can use his size effectively. He was really good in the second half of the QMJHL season and if he continues that strong play into the U18’s, he could secure a spot in the lottery.

Ryder Cali (2026)

Another late addition to Team Canada after the North Bay Battalion (OHL) were eliminated by the Brantford Bulldogs. Cali, like Dagenais, moved up significantly in our latest draft rankings and is now ranked as a first round selection by us (at 31). He’s a detail oriented forward who brings versatility, and his play driving ability improved drastically later in the OHL season. We’re big fans and he could have a true coming out party at the U18’s with the right role.

ALLEN, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Slovakia’s Adam Goljer #22 shoots the puck against Norway during Preliminary Round - Group A action at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Credit Union of Texas Event Center on April 26, 2025 in Allen, Texas, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Slovakia

The Slovaks are hosting this event for the third time and they have yet to medal on home soil, however, they are entering this event with a ton of momentum. They have made the semi finals in three straight U18’s (along with Sweden, Canada, and the United States). Although a pessimist might point out the fact that they’ve lost three straight bronze medal games too. Slovakia will try to get over the hump this year as the hosts. They have a well balanced roster that already had experience playing at both the U18’s and the U20’s. Captain Adam Goljer leads a strong defense that could have several NHL draft picks and with Samuel Hrenka between the pipes, Slovakia shouldn’t have any issue keeping pucks out. A pair of 2027 eligible players from the USHL, Oliver Ozogany and Timothy Kazda will lead the offense.

Adam Goljer (2026)

Ranked 28th by us in our latest rankings, Goljer is an impressive two-way defensive prospect. He played all year against men in the Slovak men’s league and is playing at his second IIHF U18 tournament, part of why he was named captain for this event. Goljer has size, mobility, confidence at both ends, all from the right side. With a strong tournament, he could solidify his spot in the first round come June.

Lucian Bernat (2026)

The 6’4 winger was recently ranked inside the top 40 of European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He has been playing out of the Tappara program in Finland the last few years. Bernat will be a fixture in Slovakia’s top six at this event. He skates well for his size and can surprise with skill and finesse.

Jakub Floris (2026)

A favourite of the McKeen’s scouting team for the 2026 NHL Draft, we have Floris ranked 85th prior to the U18’s. The 6’3 defender oozes upside because he blends both size and athleticism from the right side. Like Bernat, Floris has also been playing out of Finland and this U18’s are going to be a big event for his stock.

Oliver Ozogany (2027)

This past summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup was a coming out party for Ozogany as he scored four goals at the event, pacing the Slovaks as an underager. The sharp shooting winger will be expected to do some heavy lifting at the U18’s too after spending his U17 year with Tri-City of the USHL. He’s a potential first round pick next year.

Timothy Kazda (2027)

Another 2027 eligible player to keep tabs on, Kazda is a late born 2008 who led the Chicago Steel (USHL) in goal scoring this year. He finished the USHL season on a real high note and will be coming into the tournament riding a confidence high. Wearing a letter at the event, Kazda will be heavily leaned on.

Samuel Hrenak (2026)

There’s no guarantee that Hrenak is the starter, despite being higher ranked for this draft than Denis Celko. However, he had a really strong end to his year in the USHL after crossing the pond in the second half. He possesses game stealing ability and his play could be key to pulling off an upset in the medal round.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 26: Finland's Oliver Suvanto #38 celebrates his first period goal against Denmark during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at 3M Arena at Mariucci on December 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Finland

Considering their success at other international levels, it’s pretty crazy to realize that Finland has failed to make the semi finals the last three years at the U18’s. And they haven’t medalled since 2018…although they did win gold then. The pressure is starting to add up for the Finns at this level because they also haven’t medalled at the Hlinka/Gretzky cup the last three years. A scary proposition is that the team could be without its most important player, Oliver Suvanto, to start the tournament as he continues to play in Liiga playoffs with Tappara. Additionally, two of the team’s best players from the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup will not be at this event. Oscar Hemming was not added to the roster due to his dispute with the IIHF and Finnish hockey over his release to North America this year. And Luka Arkko is injured. Regardless of the adversity, this team has enough talent to make it back to the semi finals for the first time since 2022.

Players to Watch

Oliver Suvanto (2026)

A potential lottery selection this year, Suvanto’s availability for the tournament is up in the air as he finishes the season with Tappara in Liiga playoffs. Hopefully for Finland, he’s able to make the start of the tournament. The two-way power center was terrific at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, where he put his name on the scouting map. He’ll be looking to repeat that performance here.

Juho Piiparinen (2026)

The top defender for Finland should also be one of the top defenders at this tournament. He’s a potential top 20 selection in June because of his strong two-way acumen and defensive upside. He was already a key player for the Finns at this event last year, so he should have the confidence to be a difference maker.

Samu Alalauri (2026)

Even though he’s not quite as highly ranked, Alalauri is equally important to this Finnish team as a two-way minute eater on the back-end. At times this year, our scouting team has asked the question, what truly separates Piiparinen from Alalauri? This event should add another piece to the puzzle that helps scouts answer that question. Interestingly, Alalauri recently committed to UMass, which obviously develops defenders well as a program.

Vilho Vanhatalo (2026)

Vanhatalo is a player scouts are going to be watching extremely closely at this event. The big winger has a terrific shot and great upside as a scorer, but he’s been remarkably inconsistent this season. The good news is that he closed the year (in the Finnish U20 league) on a high, helping Tappara U20 make a deep run in the playoffs.

Noel Pakarinen (2026)

Pakarinen is a player that will be key for Finland when it comes to beating other top teams at the U18’s because he plays such a heavy game. A true power forward, Pakarinen has a chance to be a difference maker with his physicality and energy in puck pursuit. A strong performance at the U18’s could make him a top two round pick in June.

Paavo Fugleberg (2028)

A late born 2009 winger, Fugleberg has a fair amount of hype for the 2028 draft, where he is currently considered one of the top players in his age group. He’s been playing for Finland across various U18 events this year (like the Nations tournaments) and he’s been terrific. He has a chance to be a key offensive contributor despite his young age.

Luca Santala (2027)

Speaking of underage players ready to take on large roles, enter Santala. If Suvanto isn’t ready to start the tournament, Santala could actually start the U18’s as Finland’s top line center and most integral playmaker. Like Fugleberg, he’s been great at U18 events this year and is considered a potential lottery selection for next year’s draft.

Olivers Murnieks of Latvia celebrates after scoring 2-3 during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Germany and Latvia on December 30, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Latvia

Latvia has been a fixture at this event since 2019 and they’ve played in the quarterfinals for four straight years. However, they could be in very tough this year due to some injuries and unavailable players. The round robin game against Norway will likely decide who misses out on the quarterfinals. All that said, the Latvians have proved to be extremely pesky; even without their best lineup they could still surprise. One of the team’s top forwards, Roberts Naudins of Shattuck St. Mary’s (and a potential first rounder in 2027), is apparently missing the U18’s because of schooling and graduation. The team’s most important player, Olivers Murnieks, has been banged up most of the year and may not even be healthy enough to play at this event. Maybe there’s a chance that Rudolfs Berzkalns will be made available by Muskegon (USHL) at some point, but Muskegon would need to lose soon in the USHL playoffs for that to happen.

Players to Watch

Olivers Murnieks (2026)

It’s been a trying year for Murnieks in the QMJHL with Saint John. He entered the season garnering first round consideration, but he’s battled injuries all year that have limited his development. He’s not even guaranteed to be healthy enough to suit up for Latvia at this event, but given his importance to the team, it’s likely he tries. How effective he will be remains to be seen.

Patriks Plumins (2026)

The big netminder was a part of Latvia’s U18 team last year, but didn’t really see the ice. This year he returns as the likely starter. Ranked by NHL Central Scouting, Plumins played well in the Latvian pro league this year and the U18 team is going to need him (or someone else) to really shut the door in order for Latvia to make the quarterfinals.

Martins Klaucans (2026)

Like Murnieks, Klaucans made the jump to the QMJHL this year with Sherbrooke, but posted modest numbers. In reality, he’s best designed to play a high energy, checking role like he did for Latvia at the U20 WJC’s this year, but he’s going to be leaned on to provide more offense at the U18 event.

260106 Örebros Niklas Aaram Olsen under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan Timrå och Örebro den 6 januari 2026 i Timrå.
Foto: Pär Olert / BILDBYRÅN / COP 108 / PO0180

Norway

The Norwegians have narrowly avoided relegation at the U18’s in three straight years, finishing last in their group and having to play in the relegation round in 2023, 2024, and 2025. While their perseverance is admirable, there is no doubt that Norway would prefer to play a quarterfinal matchup in 2026. As mentioned earlier in the Latvia write up, the April 26th game against Latvia is going to be crucial as the loser of that game, barring a collapse of one of the three higher ranked nations, would likely head to the relegation round. Norway will be led by potential 2026 first round selection Niklas Aaram-Olsen who will be playing in his third straight U18’s after leading Norway in scoring last year as an underager. He brings SHL experience and helped Norway re-qualify for the main group at the U20 level earlier this year. The team will need him to be at his best; Norway likely goes only as far as he can take them.

Players to Watch

Niklas Aaram-Olsen (2026)

Ranked at 41st in our recent rankings release for 2026, Aaram-Olsen will be the straw that stirs the drink for Norway. As mentioned, he will be playing at his third U18’s and led Norway in scoring last year. The smooth skating power winger loves to attack North/South and is a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the ice.

Philip Tollefsen (2028)

One of two 2010 born players on this Norwegian team, Tollefsen is the son of former NHL defender Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. Despite his age, he has been one of Norway’s top defenders at the U18 level internationally all year. He has the all around skill set and the pedigree to be a high selection in 2028.

William Backlund (2028)

The other 2010 born defender on the Norway roster, Backlund also is a key contributor for this U18 team despite his age. He doesn’t have the physical tools that Tollefsen is blessed with at this time, but he’s a dynamic offensive defender who likely quarterbacks the Norwegian powerplay. Like Tollefsen, he’s a big time name to watch for in the future.

Benjamin Ask Haglund (2027)

Another top underager at this event for Norway, Haglund is a 2009 born forward who has actually led the Norwegian U18 team in scoring internationally this year. He’s also been a point per game player in the Swedish U18 league as an underager. Look for him to provide secondary offense behind Aaram-Olsen.

Casper Kjølmoen (2026)

Besides Aaram-Olsen, Kjølmoen is probably Norway’s most important forward and will play key minutes in all situations. He’s a hard working, quick skating winger whose energy and physicality will be needed to topple some of the higher ranked giants. He’s had a good season in the Swedish U20 for Lulea and has experience from last year’s U18’s.

2026 NHL DRAFT: TOP 32 PRIOR TO THE 2026 IIHF U18 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Brock Otten — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:03:12 +0000

Caleb Malhotra

It’s time for the McKeen’s Hockey scouting team to update their rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. Many junior leagues around the globe are in the thick of the playoffs and we have the IIHF U18’s upcoming. This top 100 will serve as our final ranking before our Draft Guide release, which expands us to a top 300.

Gavin McKenna is holding firm on his first overall ranking on our board thanks to some adjustments and strong play post world juniors with Penn State. We’re hoping that he gets the nod to represent Canada at the IIHF World Championships, which would be a terrific measuring stick for him.

Pushing up our list are Brantford Bulldogs center Caleb Malhotra and Swedish defender Malte Gustafsson. Malhotra has shown terrific progression over the course of the OHL season and has been outstanding through the first two rounds of the OHL playoffs. Meanwhile Gustafsson has shown remarkable poise across various levels in Sweden and offers great athletic tools and two-way upside.

Other significant “risers” from our previous list include Quebec forward Maddox Dagenais, North Bay center Ryder Cali, Moncton defender Tommy Bleyl, Slovak defender Adam Goljer, and Russian netminder Dmitri Borichev. All have played significantly well in the second half of their respective seasons and have pushed up our boards due to the upside that they possess. Dagenais brings elite athletic tools and a heavy shot to the table and has shown considerable improvement in the second half from a consistency perspective. Cali is one of the draft’s youngest players and has found confidence in his on-puck play, causing us to re-evaluate his upside. Bleyl is one of the draft’s most dynamic offensive defenders and his strong play has given us no choice but to adjust our ranking of him accordingly. Goljer is an athletic two-way defender who has played well against men in the Slovak pro league this year, but he’s shown offensive upside when playing against his peers. Borichev is the draft’s netminding crown jewel with a great frame, elite athleticism, and improving technical abilities.

Fresh off the release of our annual three part look at the top “re-entry” candidates available, several have made the cut in our top 100. Edmonton defender Ethan MacKenzie, Prince Albert netminder Michal Orsulak, Czech defender Tomas Galvas, Victoria defender Timofei Runtso, Chicoutimi forward Liam Lefebvre, and Sioux Falls defender Matthew Grimes. You can find more info about each player in the aforementioned three-part series.

We’re very excited to see what the end of the season has in store and how that impacts our final ranking. As usual, you can expect our annual draft guide to be released in early June.

RK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	20-Dec-07	35	15	36	51	36
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	30-Sep-07	43	11	22	33	6
3	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	30-Dec-07	45	18	30	48	30
4	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	2-Jun-08	67	29	55	84	51
5	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	23-Jun-08	58	20	53	73	66
6	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	19-Jun-08	36	6	14	20	29
7	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	2-Dec-07	38	6	7	13	20
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	12-Mar-08	42	6	9	15	12
9	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	11-Jun-08	27	0	3	3	4
10	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Mar-08	68	28	50	78	75
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	13-Aug-08	19	1	7	8	18
12	Tynan Lawrence	C	Boston University (NCAA)	6-0/185	3-Aug-08	18	2	5	7	2
13	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	30-Mar-08	57	34	25	59	45
14	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	13-Nov-07	58	34	31	65	22
15	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	5-Feb-08	38	11	10	21	22
16	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	27-Mar-08	62	30	32	62	31
17	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	3-Sep-08	48	2	9	11	16
18	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	18-Apr-08	53	14	43	57	35
19	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	8-Sep-08	34	12	22	34	37
20	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	29-Sep-07	37	6	32	38	35
21	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	27-Jun-08	67	37	60	97	43
22	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	3-Aug-08	36	8	12	20	27
23	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-1/185	16-Jun-08	30	17	27	44	61
24	Mathis Preston	RW	Spo-Van (WHL)	5-11/175	21-Jul-08	46	18	26	44	34
25	Tommy Bleyl	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/160	1-Dec-07	63	13	68	81	33
26	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	11-Apr-08	68	42	55	97	45
27	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	10-Aug-08	29	0	3	3	8
28	Adam Goljer	D	HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)	6-3/195	7-Jun-08	43	4	7	11	40
29	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	13-Feb-08	67	20	32	52	48
30	Gleb Pugachyov	C	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-3/200	25-Mar-08	33	10	14	24	36
31	Ryder Cali	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/210	6-Sep-08	47	16	20	36	24
32	Dmitri Borichev	G	Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-3/200	19-Jun-08	24	12	8	2.25	0.929

2026 NHL DRAFT: TOP 100 PRIOR TO THE 2026 IIHF U18 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Brock Otten — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:58:39 +0000

Caleb Malhotra

We’re very excited to see what the end of the season has in store and how that impacts our final ranking. As usual, you can expect our annual draft guide to be released in early June.

RK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	20-Dec-07	35	15	36	51	36
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	30-Sep-07	43	11	22	33	6
3	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	30-Dec-07	45	18	30	48	30
4	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	2-Jun-08	67	29	55	84	51
5	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	23-Jun-08	58	20	53	73	66
6	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	19-Jun-08	36	6	14	20	29
7	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	2-Dec-07	38	6	7	13	20
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	12-Mar-08	42	6	9	15	12
9	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	11-Jun-08	27	0	3	3	4
10	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Mar-08	68	28	50	78	75
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	13-Aug-08	19	1	7	8	18
12	Tynan Lawrence	C	Boston University (NCAA)	6-0/185	3-Aug-08	18	2	5	7	2
13	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	30-Mar-08	57	34	25	59	45
14	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	13-Nov-07	58	34	31	65	22
15	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	5-Feb-08	38	11	10	21	22
16	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	27-Mar-08	62	30	32	62	31
17	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	3-Sep-08	48	2	9	11	16
18	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	18-Apr-08	53	14	43	57	35
19	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	8-Sep-08	34	12	22	34	37
20	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	29-Sep-07	37	6	32	38	35
21	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	27-Jun-08	67	37	60	97	43
22	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	3-Aug-08	36	8	12	20	27
23	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-1/185	16-Jun-08	30	17	27	44	61
24	Mathis Preston	RW	Spo-Van (WHL)	5-11/175	21-Jul-08	46	18	26	44	34
25	Tommy Bleyl	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/160	1-Dec-07	63	13	68	81	33
26	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	11-Apr-08	68	42	55	97	45
27	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	10-Aug-08	29	0	3	3	8
28	Adam Goljer	D	HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)	6-3/195	7-Jun-08	43	4	7	11	40
29	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	13-Feb-08	67	20	32	52	48
30	Gleb Pugachyov	C	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-3/200	25-Mar-08	33	10	14	24	36
31	Ryder Cali	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/210	6-Sep-08	47	16	20	36	24
32	Dmitri Borichev	G	Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-3/200	19-Jun-08	24	12	8	2.25	0.929
33	Jack Hextall	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/190	23-Mar-08	59	20	38	58	28
34	William Hakansson	D	Lulea (SHL)	6-4/205	8-Oct-07	22	0	2	2	8
35	Marcus Nordmark	LW	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	6-1/180	4-May-08	25	14	24	38	48
36	Tobias Trejbal	G	Youngstown (USHL)	6-4/190	9-Nov-07	42	30	9	2.12	0.916
37	Brooks Rogowski	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/225	28-Jun-08	46	15	27	42	17
38	Ben MacBeath	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-2/185	4-Mar-08	67	7	44	51	16
39	Alexander Bilecki	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-1/180	9-May-08	66	9	20	29	43
40	Egor Shilov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Apr-08	63	32	50	82	29
41	Niklas Aaram Olsen	RW	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-0/185	19-Apr-08	29	20	20	40	22
42	Tomas Chrenko	C	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	5-11/170	2-Nov-07	44	9	22	31	10
43	Samu Alalauri	D	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-2/200	31-May-08	40	6	19	25	4
44	Jakub Vanecek	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Feb-08	59	14	21	35	20
45	Thomas Vandenberg	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/180	8-Sep-08	59	25	25	50	20
46	Liam Ruck	RW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-0/175	21-Feb-08	68	45	59	104	36
47	Alessandro Di Iorio	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-08	45	12	19	31	16
48	Adam Andersson	C	Leksands (Swe J20)	6-3/200	2-Jul-08	30	3	14	17	24
49	Ryan Roobroeck	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/215	25-Sep-07	49	30	28	58	26
50	Pierce Mbuyi	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-10/160	17-Apr-08	68	32	43	75	85
51	Ethan MacKenzie	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-0/170	2-Sep-06	59	22	36	58	42
52	Filip Ruzicka	G	Brandon (WHL)	6-7/230	24-Mar-08	42	26	14	3.19	0.906
53	Maksim Sokolovskii	D	London (OHL)	6-8/235	12-Jul-08	44	2	6	8	49
54	Markus Ruck	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/170	21-Feb-08	68	21	87	108	28
55	Simas Ignatavicius	C	Geneva-Servette (Sui-NL)	6-3/195	22-Oct-07	52	7	6	13	43
56	Beckham Edwards	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/180	6-Jan-08	64	19	26	45	14
57	Giorgos Pantelas	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/215	24-Apr-08	68	6	31	37	50
58	Charlie Morrison	D	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	12-Oct-07	41	4	9	13	58
59	Adam Nemec	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/175	18-Oct-07	31	14	21	35	15
60	Tobias Tvrznik	G	Wenatchee (WHL)	6-4/180	29-Jul-07	39	16	18	3.1	0.913
61	Casey Mutryn	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/200	5-Jul-08	55	14	23	37	87
62	Michal Orsulak	G	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/225	26-Aug-07	36	28	4	2.22	0.907
63	Axel Elofsson	D	Orebro (Swe J20)	5-10/165	3-Jun-08	32	9	32	41	20
64	Nikita Scherbakov	D	Toros Neftekamsk (VHL)	6-5/190	23-Oct-07	35	4	6	10	24
65	Jonas Lagerberg Hoen	RW	Leksands (Swe J20)	6-2/175	24-Oct-07	9	9	7	16	33
66	Landon Nycz	D	Massachusetts (NCAA)	6-2/200	4-Oct-07	35	1	2	3	2
67	Adam Valentini	LW	Michigan (NCAA)	5-11/185	11-Apr-08	40	11	16	27	46
68	Viktor Fyodorov	C	Torpedo-Gorky NN (VHL)	5-10/175	21-Feb-08	32	2	6	8	8
69	Mans Gudmundsson	D	Farjestads (Swe J20)	6-2/170	9-Jun-08	35	1	24	25	10
70	Casper Juustovaara Karlsson	LW	Lulea (SHL)	5-9/170	25-Oct-07	31	4	2	6	6
71	Tomas Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	5-10/155	11-Feb-06	32	8	16	24	10
72	Jonah Sivertson	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-3/195	27-Aug-08	66	24	29	53	41
73	Landon Amrhein	LW	Calgary (WHL)	6-4/190	6-Apr-08	64	10	21	31	12
74	Timofei Runtso	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-2/185	6-Jul-07	68	11	33	44	28
75	Liam Lefebvre	C	Rim-Chi (QMJHL)	6-3/205	15-May-07	59	32	27	59	86
76	Vladimir Dravecky	D	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/185	19-Dec-07	58	9	19	28	24
77	Beckett Hamilton	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	5-11/175	28-Mar-08	67	24	38	62	14
78	Wiggo Sorensson	C	Boro/Vetlanda HC (Swe Division 2)	5-11/180	15-Apr-08	29	20	18	38	14
79	Jakub Frolo	C	Ilves (Fin-U20)	6-1/195	5-Dec-07	37	10	30	40	103
80	Landon Hafele	C	Green Bay (USHL)	6-0/185	18-Sep-07	52	15	27	42	69
81	Brady Knowling	G	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/200	9-Mar-08	28	12	10	3.73	0.88
82	Zach Olsen	RW	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-1/200	16-Mar-08	57	18	16	34	79
83	Matthew Grimes	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-1/185	19-May-07	60	9	26	35	54
84	Chase Harrington	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-0/195	30-Oct-07	61	28	29	57	105
85	Jakub Floris	D	Lukko (Fin-U20)	6-3/190	19-Feb-08	38	10	8	18	10
86	Noel Pakarinen	LW	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)	6-2/200	9-Jul-08	31	13	17	30	30
87	Malcom Gastrin	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	6-0/155	19-Aug-08	24	9	16	25	8
88	Nils Bartholdsson	RW	Rogle (Swe J20)	5-10/175	25-Apr-08	32	23	19	42	20
89	Elisei Ryabkin	D	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-1/180	8-Jul-08	48	3	16	19	25
90	Spencer Bowes	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/175	19-Sep-07	67	23	19	42	28
91	Victor Plante	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/165	10-Mar-08	50	19	21	40	65
92	Vertti Svensk	D	SaiPa (Fin-U20)	6-0/165	9-Nov-07	33	3	28	31	80
93	Jean-Cristoph Lemieux	C	Wsr-Sby (OHL)	6-0/185	19-Jun-08	56	20	23	43	28
94	Vilho Vanhatalo	RW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	18-Jan-08	38	10	9	19	43
95	Brian McFadden	D	Thayer Academy (USHS-MA)	6-5/180	8-Jan-08	29	2	15	17
96	Lars Steiner	RW	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)	5-10/175	12-Nov-07	44	30	25	55	44
97	Luke Schairer	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/195	30-Jan-08	55	1	16	17	67
98	KJ Sauer	C	Andover High (USHS-MN)	6-3/200	24-Oct-07	15	8	17	25	42
99	Filip Novak	LW	Sparta Praha (Czechia U20)	6-1/195	7-Mar-08	28	11	24	35	60
100	Rian Chudzinski	RW	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-1/190	30-Dec-07	54	21	17	38	71
HM	Joe Erickson	C	Blake School (USHS-MN)	6-4/200	21-Apr-08	28	32	32	64	4
HM	Alan Shaikhlislamov	RW	Tolpar Ufa (MHL)	6-1/185	4-Sep-08	31	18	17	35	15
HM	Dmitri Kubantsev	RW	Vernon (BCHL)	6-1/195	28-May-08	47	15	38	53	52
HM	Yaroslav Fedoseyev	D	Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)	6-1/180	5-Nov-07	25	1	5	6	25
HM	Cole Zurawski	RW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-1/190	6-Feb-08	63	24	22	46	34
HM	Yegor Rybkin	G	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-7/205	3-Dec-07	11	5	2	2.56	0.915
HM	Zach Lansard	RW	Regina (WHL)	6-0/175	29-Jul-08	68	24	32	56	33
HM	Harrison Boettiger	G	Kelowna (WHL)	6-2/190	11-Dec-07	41	25	10	2.83	0.911
HM	Luka Arkko	LW	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-3/210	14-Jan-08	42	11	14	25	10
HM	Evan Jardine	LW	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/180	23-Oct-07	53	27	34	61	70
HM	Cole Tuminaro	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-3/220	24-Jan-07	54	5	11	16	148
HM	Romain L'Italien	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-1/195	7-Apr-08	52	17	30	47	33
HM	Xavier Wendt	G	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/165	24-Jan-08	43	18	20	3.25	0.905
HM	Caelan Joudrey	C	Wenatchee (WHL)	6-4/180	17-Jan-08	67	19	10	29	56
HM	Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen	D	Michigan (NCAA)	6-0/180	18-Dec-06	40	4	14	18	20

2026 NHL DRAFT – MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 64 with Honourable Mentions – Closing gap between top prospects

Brock Otten — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:59:16 +0000

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 4: Sweden's Ivar Stenberg #15 looks on during a stoppage in play against Finland during Semifinal Round action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at Grand Casino Arena on January 4, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF)

With the World Juniors firmly in the rear-view mirror and many “junior” leagues past the halfway point of their seasons, it is time to update and expand the McKeen’s Hockey 2026 draft rankings. This time around we are bringing you a top 64, in addition to several honourable mentions.

While many in the industry seem to be wavering on the concept of Gavin McKenna being the top player available, he remains at the top of our list. We understand the apprehensiveness, but we also believe that McKenna still possesses the highest upside of any player available this year; plus, his performance in the NCAA has ticked up post WJC’s. However, we also believe that the gap is razor thin at this point between McKenna and several of the players we have ranked behind him. In particular, Ivar Stenberg received a fair amount of support from our team to be ranked ahead of McKenna.

While the race for first overall will be fascinating as June approaches, the debate over the top defenseman available will rage even more intensely. Verhoeff remains ranked first in this grouping, but there are arguments to be made that any of Reid, Smits, or Carels could be or should be the top defenseman selected. One thing is for certain; it is a good year to be drafting in the top five if your organization needs a quality young defender.

Caleb Malhotra, Oscar Hemming, Alexander Command, Wyatt Cullen, and Maddox Dagenais are among our highest climbers compared to the previous ranking. Malhotra suddenly finds himself competing for an OHL scoring title, showing tremendous improvement as an offensive play driver over the course of the last few months. The Oscar Hemming saga finally reached a conclusion after he joined Boston College at the end of December. While the offensive production has been only mediocre, his impact on the ice has been incredibly impressive as a freshman power forward; it’s cliche but he’s passing the eye test on a consistent basis. Command has been terrific for both Sweden internationally and in the J20 league, and he plays a competitive and fast paced game from the center position. Wyatt Cullen hasn’t played a lot this year, but when he has, he’s been outstanding for the NTDP. Lastly, Dagenais is finally putting everything together for the Quebec Remparts, as the former first overall pick in the QMJHL draft is becoming more confident in being able to utilize his physical gifts.

Our largest “fallers” were Xavier Villeneuve, Mathis Preston, Ryan Roobroeck, and Beckham Edwards. While we respect Villeneuve’s offensive upside as one of the draft’s most dynamic playmakers, we also wonder how much his game has truly grown in the last calendar year as one of this draft’s oldest first time eligible players. The offensive production just hasn’t been at an elite level the last few months. Can a trade to Vancouver (WHL) help Mathis Preston find more consistency and urgency in his game? Roobroeck’s offensive production has definitely improved over the last few months, but like Villeneuve, we wonder how much his game has truly improved this year as a third year junior player. Lastly, Beckham Edwards is a power skating forward with a goal scorer’s touch, but, the offensive consistency has been majorly lacking this year and it brings to light concerns over his projection and ceiling.

What about the goalies? Initially, our team wasn’t enamored with the talent level for the position this year, however, some performances over the last few months have helped to change our mind. We have three goaltenders ranked inside of our top 64, with Tobias Trejbal of Youngstown (USHL) sitting at the top of that list. Trejbal has been outstanding in the USHL this year and the UMass commit has the size and athleticism combination to make him a potential NHL starting netminder.

You can expect our next update towards the end of March as we expand to a top 100 ranking.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	12/20/2007	22	10	19	29	19
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	9/30/2007	29	7	21	28	6
3	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	6/19/2008	22	6	11	17	23
4	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	12/30/2007	39	18	27	45	30
5	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	12/2/2007	34	6	7	13	12
6	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	6/23/2008	37	12	28	40	42
7	Tynan Lawrence	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-0/185	8/3/2008	13	10	7	17	6
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	3/12/2008	29	4	4	8	10
9	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	6/2/2008	45	23	38	61	37
10	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	3/30/2008	43	29	16	45	35
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	8/13/2008	6	0	3	3	8
12	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	11/13/2007	37	22	21	43	8
13	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	4/18/2008	42	11	39	50	33
14	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	3/6/2008	45	21	33	54	42
15	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	9/3/2008	34	2	5	7	14
16	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	2/5/2008	29	9	7	16	14
17	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	8/3/2008	24	7	7	14	25
18	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	9/29/2007	35	6	30	36	35
19	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	6/11/2008	16	0	3	3	2
20	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	8/10/2008	28	0	3	3	8
21	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe U20)	6-1/185	6/16/2008	24	13	22	35	30
22	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	9/8/2008	17	3	11	14	2
23	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	4/11/2008	45	31	41	72	26
24	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	6/27/2008	45	28	32	60	27
25	Mathis Preston	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/175	7/21/2008	36	14	18	32	32
26	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	2/13/2008	45	14	20	34	40
27	William Hakansson	D	Lulea (SHL)	6-4/205	10/8/2007	22	0	2	2	8
28	Giorgos Pantelas	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/215	4/24/2008	45	2	18	20	30
29	Brooks Rogowski	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/225	6/28/2008	31	7	18	25	10
30	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	3/27/2008	43	20	17	37	23
31	Tomas Chrenko	C	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	5-11/170	11/2/2007	33	6	16	22	6
32	Marcus Nordmark	LW	Djurgardens (Swe U20)	6-1/180	5/4/2008	21	10	20	30	42
33	Egor Shilov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-1/180	4/30/2008	42	22	37	59	23
34	Ryan Roobroeck	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/215	9/25/2007	45	27	26	53	26
35	Jakub Vanecek	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/190	2/25/2008	36	10	15	25	16
36	Pierce Mbuyi	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-10/160	4/17/2008	45	23	27	50	65
37	Jack Hextall	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/190	3/23/2008	38	12	25	37	22
38	Thomas Vandenberg	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/180	9/8/2008	37	17	17	34	14
39	Vladimir Dravecky	D	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/185	12/19/2007	37	7	16	23	20
40	Alessandro Di Iorio	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-0/190	3/17/2008	28	10	9	19	8
41	Vilho Vanhatalo	RW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	1/18/2008	29	10	8	18	14
42	Ryder Cali	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/210	9/6/2008	24	11	5	16	4
43	Tommy Bleyl	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/160	12/1/2007	42	7	44	51	22
44	Tobias Trejbal	G	Youngstown (USHL)	6-4/190	11/9/2007	27	20	5	2.04	0.924
45	Charlie Morrison	D	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	10/12/2007	24	2	4	6	23
46	Oscar Holmertz	C	Linkopings (Swe U20)	6-0/190	3/21/2008	25	7	14	21	2
47	Nikita Scherbakov	D	Salavat Yulayev Ufa (KHL)	6-5/190	10/23/2007	7	0	0	0	4
48	Victor Plante	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/165	3/10/2008	34	16	13	29	55
49	Adam Goljer	D	HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)	6-3/195	6/7/2008	33	4	6	10	26
50	Luke Schairer	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/195	1/30/2008	36	0	9	9	55
51	Niklas Aaram-Olsen	RW	Orebro (Swe U20)	6-0/185	4/19/2008	22	17	15	32	12
52	Gleb Pugachyov	C	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-3/200	3/25/2008	27	8	13	21	20
53	Simas Ignatavicius	C	Geneva-Servette (Sui-NL)	6-3/195	10/22/2007	44	5	6	11	41
54	Lars Steiner	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	5-10/175	11/12/2007	24	12	12	24	26
55	Dmitri Borichev	G	Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-3/200	6/19/2008	17	8	6	1.79	0.942
56	Adam Andersson	C	Leksands (Swe U20)	6-3/200	7/2/2008	23	2	13	15	22
57	Alexander Bilecki	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-1/180	5/9/2008	44	7	15	22	24
58	Axel Elofsson	D	Orebro (Swe U20)	5-10/165	6/3/2008	26	7	24	31	18
59	Xavier Wendt	G	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/165	1/24/2008	28	17	9	2.42	0.929
60	Adam Valentini	LW	Michigan (NCAA)	5-11/185	4/11/2008	24	6	13	19	40
61	Beckham Edwards	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/180	1/6/2008	45	14	17	31	14
62	Samu Alalauri	D	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-2/200	5/31/2008	32	6	17	23	4
63	Ben MacBeath	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-2/185	3/4/2008	43	6	27	33	12
64	Liam Ruck	RW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-0/175	2/21/2008	46	27	37	64	26
HM	Simon Katolicky	LW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	7/24/2008	24	5	9	14	16
HM	Timofei Runtso	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-2/185	7/6/2007	45	7	26	33	22
HM	Layne Gallacher	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-1/180	2/16/2008	21	5	7	12	2
HM	Landon Amrhein	LW	Calgary (WHL)	6-4/190	4/6/2008	39	7	16	23	6
HM	Filip Ruzicka	G	Brandon (WHL)	6-7/230	3/24/2008	27	19	7	2.97	0.908
HM	Wiggo Sorensson	C	Boro/Vetlanda (Swe Div 2)	5-11/180	4/15/2008	24	13	16	29	2
HM	Viktor Fyodorov	C	Torpedo-Gorky NN (VHL)	5-10/175	2/21/2008	27	2	5	7	6
HM	Landon Nycz	D	Massachusetts (NCAA)	6-2/200	10/4/2007	24	1	1	2	0
HM	Brady Knowling	G	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/200	3/9/2008	17	6	8	3.60	0.880
HM	Casey Mutryn	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/200	7/5/2008	36	7	18	25	32
HM	Tobias Tvrznik	G	Wenatchee (WHL)	6-4/180	7/29/2007	31	13	15	2.89	0.919
HM	Jonas Lagerberg Hoen	RW	Leksands (Swe U20)	6-2/175	10/24/2007	9	9	7	16	33
HM	Olivers Murnieks	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/190	7/31/2008	29	6	12	18	14
HM	Colin Fitzgerald	C	Pbo-Soo (OHL)	6-2/210	4/1/2008	44	13	12	25	48
HM	Adam Nemec	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/175	10/18/2007	8	4	6	10	0
HM	Chase Harrington	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-0/195	10/30/2007	44	17	23	40	73

2026 NHL DRAFT – MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 32 – Closing gap between top prospects

Brock Otten — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:56:46 +0000

You can expect our next update towards the end of March as we expand to a top 100 ranking.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	12/20/2007	22	10	19	29	19
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	9/30/2007	29	7	21	28	6
3	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	6/19/2008	22	6	11	17	23
4	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	12/30/2007	39	18	27	45	30
5	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	12/2/2007	34	6	7	13	12
6	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	6/23/2008	37	12	28	40	42
7	Tynan Lawrence	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-0/185	8/3/2008	13	10	7	17	6
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	3/12/2008	29	4	4	8	10
9	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	6/2/2008	45	23	38	61	37
10	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	3/30/2008	43	29	16	45	35
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	8/13/2008	6	0	3	3	8
12	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	11/13/2007	37	22	21	43	8
13	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	4/18/2008	42	11	39	50	33
14	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	3/6/2008	45	21	33	54	42
15	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	9/3/2008	34	2	5	7	14
16	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	2/5/2008	29	9	7	16	14
17	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	8/3/2008	24	7	7	14	25
18	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	9/29/2007	35	6	30	36	35
19	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	6/11/2008	16	0	3	3	2
20	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	8/10/2008	28	0	3	3	8
21	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe U20)	6-1/185	6/16/2008	24	13	22	35	30
22	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	9/8/2008	17	3	11	14	2
23	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	4/11/2008	45	31	41	72	26
24	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	6/27/2008	45	28	32	60	27
25	Mathis Preston	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/175	7/21/2008	36	14	18	32	32
26	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	2/13/2008	45	14	20	34	40
27	William Hakansson	D	Lulea (SHL)	6-4/205	10/8/2007	22	0	2	2	8
28	Giorgos Pantelas	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/215	4/24/2008	45	2	18	20	30
29	Brooks Rogowski	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/225	6/28/2008	31	7	18	25	10
30	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	3/27/2008	43	20	17	37	23
31	Tomas Chrenko	C	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	5-11/170	11/2/2007	33	6	16	22	6
32	Marcus Nordmark	LW	Djurgardens (Swe U20)	6-1/180	5/4/2008	21	10	20	30	42

2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – SLOVAKIA – Team Preview, Key Players and Draft Eligible Profiles

Matej Deraj — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:59:29 +0000

It´s an end of an era for Team Slovakia. Their strong 2004 and 2005 generation is no longer eligible for the World Juniors, and new prospects are stepping in. Even the strongest Slovak teams were never able to bring a medal, so the current ambitions are much more modest. One of the youngest teams in country´s history, with two-thirds of the players being underagers, they will primarily focus on avoiding the relegation and, ideally, making the quarterfinals.

Slovakia faces some tough opponents in the Group A. Sweden and United States are the clear favorites, while Switzerland and Germany are expected to battle with Slovakia for the two remaining quarterfinals spots.

The current Slovak team is young and inexperienced, when it comes to World Juniors. Only five players have played a game at the last tournament – goaltender Alan Lenďák, defenseman Luka Radivojevič, and three forwards – Ján Chovan, Tomáš Pobežal and Tobias Tomík. The absence of 2024 Washington Capitals draft pick Miroslav Šatan is definitely surprising, as he´s played at the last year´s tournament. However, he failed to score a point in 24 OHL games this season, before recently transferring to the QMJHL.

The likely leaders are players who´ve never played a World Juniors game before – Red Wings third round pick Michal Prádel in net, forward Michal Svrček drafted by the same team, and the talented duo from HK Nitra Tomáš Chrenko and Adam Nemec. Slovakia will have a young and inexperienced, but fun to watch team with a lot of talented players.

Goaltending appears to be a strength, especially Prádel as the expected starter, while Lenďák and Leo Henriquez, all USHL goalies, provide solid support. Although the team lacks a clear leader in offense, many players are capable of stepping in and contributing with goals. Reaching the quarterfinals is a realistic expectation for Team Slovakia.

Key Players to Watch

Luka Radivojevic of Slovakia during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Czech Republic and Slovakia on December 29, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Luka Radivojevič, D (2026 Draft, second year of eligibility)

Radivojevič has already played at two World Juniors and made a strong impression. He´s an undersized but skilled puck-moving defenseman who likes to join the rush and defends well using his stick. More of an offensive defenseman, he is expected to run the point on the first powerplay unit. Surprisingly, Radivojevič went undrafted last year, in a draft that was unkind to undersized defensemen. However, he´s having a strong year at Boston College and could earn a second chance with a strong tournament performance, even though it remains unlikely. Overall, he´s the expected leader for Team Slovakia, maybe even a candidate for a letter, as a former U18 national team captain. He should play 25+ minutes a game and lead Slovak defensemen in points.

ALLEN, TEXAS - APRIL 28: Slovakia's Michal Pradel #2 tracks the puck in the first period against Latvia during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Credit Union of Texas Event Center on April 28, 2025 in Allen, Texas, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Michal Prádel, G (Detroit Red Wings)

The highest drafted Slovak in the latest NHL Draft, Prádel was selected by the Detroit Red Wings at No. 75. Standing at 6-foot-5, he´s a large goaltender with decent athletic abilities, but more poised and calmer, relying more on style and technical ability than pure athleticism. Prádel´s having a strong season with Tri-City Storm in the USHL, posting a .916 save percentage. He´s a reliable starter who has had some strong showing in the U18 national team. Although he´s never played at the World Juniors before, he is the clear candidate to be the starting goalie for Team Slovakia. Strong goalie showing are always necessary for any kind of success for Team Slovakia, so they will need Prádel at his best.

Michal Svrček, LW (Detroit Red Wings)

Svrček had a difficult start to the season, as he didn´t play much in the Swedish SHL and often sat on the bench as the 13^th forward only, playing only a couple of minutes or even none. His time on ice has risen, as he was loaned to the 2^nd division HockeyAllsvenskan. Still, he´s far from an ideal season, but should have an important role for Team Slovakia. Svrček is a dynamic, high-compete forward who´s able to contribute in the offensive zone. His role in youth Slovak national teams was usually a top six forward with PP1 usage, often the main shooter on the powerplay. He has a dangerous shot and a sniper, shoot-first mentality. He should play on the first line and score some powerplay goals for Slovakia.

Tomáš Pobežal, C (2026 Draft, second year of eligibility)

Pobežal was anticipated to be one of the leaders at the last year´s World Juniors, but he had a really quiet tournament with zero points in five games and -4. He´s looking for a redemption this year. Now he has the experience and the quality in offense should be more evenly distributed. Pobežal started the last season strong with HK Nitra in Slovak top tier league but cooled off after the World Juniors a bit. He finished the year with 15 goals in 42 games, yet didn´t convince any NHL team to select him and went undrafted. Pobežal is an undersized forward with solid 200-foot game, he´s chippy and finishes his checks despite his smaller frame. He´s able to contribute in the offense as well, he shoots a lot and creates chances.

Ján Chovan, RW/C (Los Angeles Kings)

Chovan made the team last year and undoubtably should be one of the leaders now. He has a great frame at 6-foot-3 but should play even more physical. He´s a very versatile player, able to play both center and wing, plays a two-way game and can be used on both special teams. He usually plays center in Slovak national teams. Chovan is an interesting player. He was drafted by the LA Kings in the 6^th round, a bit later than expected. He moved to the OHL in the summer and had a slower start (one point in first eight games), but now he´s getting on the scoresheet more and should bring some energy to the Slovak lineup.

Other Draft Eligibles to Watch

ESPOO, FINLAND - MAY 4: USA vs Slovakia Semifinal Round action at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Metro Arena on May 4, 2024 in Espoo, Finland. (Photo by Andr Ringuette/IIHF)

Tomáš Chrenko, C (2026 Draft)

Chrenko is a talented, yet undersized center. He boasts a high hockey IQ, loves to create chances for his teammates and shoots often, even though he´s more of a playmaker. Chrenko is very skilled and a good skater, agile and fast. Not a lot of prospects from Slovakia had their ceiling as high as Chrenko – he could be a top six forward in the NHL one day. The main disadvantage is his size; he fights an uphill battle as a center who´s not at least six feet tall. Chrenko´s having a strong season with HK Nitra in Slovak top tier league, he´s contributing in the offense and playing better among men. He was at #32 in our last draft rankings at McKeen´s. Chrenko is coming to his first World Juniors but should have an important role and play on the first powerplay unit.

Adam Goljer, D (2026 Draft)

Goljer´s massively improving his draft stock in the last weeks and a strong WJC showing could do him wonders. He started the year playing approximately 12 minutes a night for Dukla Trenčín in Slovak top tier league, but his time on ice nearly doubled, now he´s getting 20+ minutes a game. He has a great frame at 6-foot-3, 194 pounds plays a two-way game and moves well. He´s confident with the puck and can run a powerplay unit. He was the undisputed leader of Team Slovakia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, now he should play on the second pair behind Radivojevič. Goljer is a very interesting player, his size and skills should help him to be a relatively high draft pick. First, he needs a solid tournament with Team Slovakia.

Adam Nemec, LW (2026 Draft)

Nemec is the younger brother of Devils´ defenseman Šimon Nemec, former 2^nd overall pick. Unlike Šimon, Adam is a winger and he´s lankier than his brother at the same age. He has the room to grow some muscle but still likes to play physical and get under opponent´s skin. Just like his brother, Nemec is a highly intelligent player who does a lot of small things right. He´s great at finding the open space and finishing plays but also plays well in defense and can kill penalties. Nemec has the potential to become a middle-six winger in the NHL. Him and Chrenko are a great duo with a lot of chemistry and should play together.

2026 NHL Draft: McKeen’s Early Season Favourites – CENTRAL EUROPE – Tomáš Chrenko, Adam Nemec, Adam Goljer, Simas Ignatavicius, Maxim Eliseev, Tobias Krämer, Filip Novak

Matej Deraj, Chapin Landvogt, Simon Johansson — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:11:28 +0000

Tomáš Chrenko

Time for another series at McKeen’s from our scouting staff. The 2026 NHL Draft season is well under way and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Analyzing early season play can be difficult; perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

This is CENTRAL EUROPE

Matej Deraj – Regional Central European Scout

Tomáš Chrenko

Center/Right Wing – HK Nitra (Slovakia)

5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Shoots: R

Chrenko is probably the highest-touted Slovak prospect for the upcoming draft, having been noted as a potential first round talent. He´s playing in the highest Slovak division with solid production, even playing some minutes on the powerplay. The even strength deployment is not amazing, since he's been playing on the fourth line for essentially the whole season (usually 11 to 14 minutes a game), but the powerplay usage is encouraging.

Chrenko is mostly known for his hockey IQ. He´s smart and creative with the puck, creates a lot of chances for his teammates and controls the pace of the play. He´s able to use his smarts against men in a professional league. Although the production isn´t amazing (approximately a 0.5 point per game), it´s still decent. He´s a confident playmaker with soft hands.

Skating is one of his biggest strengths, he´s quick and agile, smooth on the edges, uses his speed to escape the pressure and create chances. It obviously comes with the bigger ice advantage in Europe – he may not be able to use his feet to gain speed in the neutral zone so much when playing in North America, but he´s agile and elusive, so he has no problem with his movement.

As an offensive forward, Chrenko should work on his defensive effort, and the main concern with him is the lack of size. Even though he does have some bite to his game, he´s an undersized center who ideally profiles as a top-six player, which is not a very popular archetype. He does have the potential to become an important player in the NHL one day, but he´s fighting an uphill battle. Nevertheless, the potential is immense and should be an early round pick.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-tomas_chrenko_clip1.mp4

#29 in blue

Chrenko slips past defenders and finds an open space for him, receives a pass and goes to the net. At the last moment, he passes the puck to an open teammate who has no problem scoring. Great selfless play, this is what happens when you give Chrenko so much time and space.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-tomas_chrenko_clip2.mp4

#29 in white

Chrenko competes hard for the puck, but his smaller frame is not giving him any favors. When his team gains possession, he loses the puck and Nitra faces a 3-on-2 breakaway, but Chrenko is able to match the F3 to even the situation. The clip ends with him getting in the face of an opposing player who boarded one of his teammates, so a very welcoming display of feistiness.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-tomas_chrenko_clip3.mp4

#29 in blue

Chrenko can do so much when given open space, but he´s also able to overcome more difficult situations. He quickly gains speed in this clip, makes a nice move to lose the first opponent and enters the zone, then shoots the puck from distance trying to surprise the goalie and even tracks the rebound at the boards.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4-tomas_chrenko_clip4.mp4

#29 in blue

He stands out due to his hockey IQ and quick thinking. In this clip, he supports the puck-carrying forward, gets the puck and makes a quick turn. He immediately identifies a potential scoring chance and sends the puck to a teammate, who doesn´t bury it.

Adam Nemec

Left Wing – HK Nitra (Slovakia)

6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Shoots: L

Adam Nemec is the younger brother of Devils´ defenseman Šimon Nemec and just like his sibling, he´s also a talented player for Slovakia. Unlike his brother, Adam is a forward, and most likely won´t be the second overall pick. Nevertheless, he´s still an intriguing player. He's playing on HK Nitra´s fourth line along other 2026 prospect Tomáš Chrenko and gets some shorthanded minutes.

Nemec is a smart winger who won´t amaze you on the first sight with his hockey IQ, but he plays a detail-oriented game and does a lot of small things right. He has great space awareness in the offensive zone and gets himself in dangerous areas to score from. He´s more of a shooter than a playmaker and scores even from the net front area, although he's not the biggest player at 6-foot-1 he´s still a bit lanky and will add more muscle in the future.

Nemec has had issues with his skating in the past but continues to improve his movement and now he´s able to play in a faster system, although I still wouldn´t consider his skating as a main asset. His effort level is great, he´s dangerous on the forecheck, finishes his checks and works well in the defensive zone. He plays with enough physicality and intensity, and it will be even better when he adds more muscle to his frame.

There might be some questions about his projection. He´s a versatile player who doesn´t necessarily excel in any area, but competes high, has a decent hockey IQ and can provide a team with enough scoring. I see a middle-six winger able to play on both special teams in Adam Nemec.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-adam_nemec_clip1.mp4

#18 in blue

Nemec helps his team to gain the puck with a couple of stick checks and then sprints towards the goal. Suddenly it´s a 2-on-1 breakaway when he absolutely loses the backchecking forward. He receives the pass and is able to put the puck behind the goalie even with his skate. It´s mostly the things he has done before the goal that I appreciate.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-adam_nemec_clip2.mp4

#21 in blue

I like this goal from Nemec. Nothing overly complicated – he waits for the puck in the right spot and gets it. Quick turn, quick shot and it´s a goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-adam_nemec_clip3.mp4

#18 in blue

Good stint in the offensive zone. Nemec goes to the net, is able to retrieve the puck and then waits in line to tip the shot from the blue line. Later, he´s again able to retrieve it along the boards and goes to position himself in front of the net. Good movement in the offensive zone.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4-adam_nemec_clip4.mp4

#18 in blue

Nemec has the potential to be a physical forward but needs to gain a lot of muscle. In this clip, he competes and takes the puck on the forecheck, but even a slight contact along the boards can throw him off.

Adam Goljer

Defenseman – Dukla Trenčín (Slovakia)

6-foot-3, 194 pounds, Shoots: R

Goljer is a prospect who doesn't get the same attention as other top 2026 names from Slovakia - Tomáš Chrenko, Adam Nemec or Tobias Tomík – but he´s an intriguing player with great tools. As a 6-foot-3 right-handed defenseman who plays well with the puck and displays some leadership qualities, he should get a lot of interest from NHL teams. He's playing in Slovak top tier league with Dukla Trenčín, usually skating about 15 minutes a night.

Goljer displays a lot of confidence in his game, especially with the puck on his stick. He´s calm, doesn´t throw pucks away, but tries to create plays and support the offense. A strong player on the breakouts and retrievals. He likes to jump to the rush or create plays while skating from his own zone. Defensively, he works well with his stick and uses his reach. He plays as a typical two-way defenseman.

His size (6-foot-3, 194 pounds) is definitely an advantage, but he´s not an overly physical player – that´s an aspect of his game he can work on, because he definitely has the potential. Goljer competes hard enough, has some bite to his game and wins battles, but adding more physical edge to his game would make him even tougher to play against.

Goljer is not a flashy prospect as aforementioned Chrenko or Nemec, but his profile might be even more intriguing. There have been some defensemen in Slovakia with his size and handiness, but Goljer has far more superior puck skills, skating and smarts to his game. He is a very projectable defenseman and has a lot of tools NHL teams like. He could grow into a reliable bottom-four blueliner with solid two-way skills.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-adam_goljer_clip1.mp4

#8 in maroon

Goljer gets to the puck behind his net first, retrieves it and withstands all attempts from the forechecking forward to strip him of the puck. He gains some space and passes to a teammate, then continues to the offensive zone while being supported from the back.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-adam_goljer_clip2.mp4

#8 in yellow

Goljer displays good awareness and solid puck skills in this clip, he gets the puck, makes a quick turn and sends it to his teammate, and it´s suddenly a 2-on-1 chance. Good thinking on Goljer´s side, simple play which helps to create a potentially dangerous chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-adam_goljer_clip3.mp4

#22 in white

Goljer uses his reach and long stick well. In this clip, he has the advantage since the opposing forward had no chance to gain speed directly after the draw. Goljer uses his stick and then the size advantage to pin the smaller opponent against the boards.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4-adam_goljer_clip4.mp4

#22 in white

While I admire Goljer´s confidence and effort to try hold the puck and create something, sometimes, he overcomplicates situations and that can lead to preventable puck losses, just like in this case. Combine it with poor defensive effort and you basically stripped yourself of the puck.

Chapin Landvogt - Central European Regional Scout

Simas Ignatavicius

Center/Wing - Genève-Servette HC (NL)

6-foot-3, 180 pounds

As the season unfolds this fall on the Central European front, there’s no one player we’re more enamored with than Geneva’s recently turned 17-year-old forward Simas Ignatavicius. Yes, as international a place as Switzerland is, even that name is one foreign to the natives, as Ignatavicius hails from Lithuania, granted this is his sixth season playing in Switzerland. In fact, he was actually born in Memphis, Tennessee, but that’s a story for another day.

The most important thing you need to know is that he’s already 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds and has surprisingly made his way onto an NL roster at the age of 16, doing so in a matter that has surely put a smirk on the face of plenty of scouts.

Why is that you might ask?

Put simply, Ignatavicius (#80) has been running around out there throwing his weight all over the place, often with reckless abandon. Case in point, this recent shift in which he charged (yes, that might be grounds for charging in many a league) his way across a great distance at the end of his shift in order to nail an opponent, only to give it to the guy again seconds later.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-simas_ignatavicius_-_1st_period_19_42_-_19_54.mp4

Heck, in this scenario, he’s given a breakout pass in transition and moves up the ice looking like a prime take-me-out target only to dump the puck in the opposition zone in the nick of time and then toss his would-be checker. Dandy!

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-simas_ignatavicius_-_1st_period_13_23_-_13_35.mp4

We’ve also loved that he’s quickly shown himself to be ready to do anything to stick in the line-up. With shot-blocks like these, it’s no wonder he’s been seeing his minutes go from fourth to third line TOIs in recent games.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-simas_ignatavicius_-_shot_blocking_-_3rd_period_32_49_-_32_56.mp4

Curiously though, he caught our eyes already last season while playing for the club’s U21 team and at the DIIA U20 Worlds, where, as a 16-year-old, he collected a gaudy six goals and 14 points in five games, wiping out the competition. That tournament alone is a highlight reel of his abilities, but a key is to know that he’s just recently started putting them on display at the NL level, having collected three points in his last four games. They certainly haven’t all been beauties, but this assist came at a vital juncture in the game and was indicative of the plays we’re becoming accustomed to.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4-simas_ignatavicius_-_3rd_period_24_15_-_24_25.mp4

Already at the junior level last season (#17), he started making a name for himself as a clutch player in overtime. This tally wasn’t his best but we feel it’s a bit indicative of why he’s not only been given the Ovechkin spot on the power play in recent years but also carries the moniker of being more a sniper than anything else, even if he usually has as many assists as goals when all is said and done.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-simas_ignatavicius_-_3-on-3_play_-_1st_overtime_3_23_-_3_30.mp4

Maxim Eliseev

Wing - RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)

5-foot-10, 180 pounds

Now, it wasn’t all that many years ago that we were gushing about German forward Julian Lutz as an underager at the Red Bull Academy in Salzburg, playing - and scoring - against men in the AlpsHL. He has since become an early draft pick of the, well, Utah Mammoths organization and is currently plying his trade in the AHL. Since then, we’ve watched a number of other talents there we’ve liked, with particularly Maks Szuber and Vitali Zelenov jumping out at us, both of whom become late round NHL picks (Utah and Buffalo respectively).

Alas, it hasn’t been since Lutz that we were so enamored with an RB Juniors forward than we are now with current overager Maxim Eliseev. Yes, he’s an overager and is a Finnish player of Russian descent. And yes, he’s turning 20 in just a couple of weeks, so he’s apparently been around. But what we’ve been seeing has really caught our attention as the 19-year-old is leading the league in goals (11) and points (20) while just one point behind the league leader in +/- (+11). And the way he’s gone about collecting those points has been more fantastic and authoritative than not. He’s been a highlight reel machine.

The beauty of it is that he played for Finland at the 2023 U18 Worlds in Germany and then proceeded to rack up two nice, but unspectacular U20-league seasons in Finland, coming into this season with just eight games of pro play experience (4 points) in the Mestis, Finland’s second tier pro circuit. We don’t know what he’s done this summer or if there’s just been some magic in that Austrian water, because he’s been playing absolutely electric for weeks now.

Here’s a bit of what we are seeing on a day-in, day-out basis.

Eliseev dangles. He doesn’t just give away the puck; he looks to go as far as he can. And he’s getting away with it more and more.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-maxim_eliseev_-_2nd_period_18_40_-_18_52.mp4

As could be seen, in the previous highlight, he doesn’t hesitate to shoot. And as can be seen in his statline, he often hits the net. This kind of thing just looked too doggone easy, and it came off a wicked wrist shot from just about the blueline no less.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-maxim_eliseev_-_3rd_period_12_16_-_12_26-1.mp4

Making opponents look silly this easily will rightfully have you questioning the quality of league play but this doesn’t detract from his shiftiness and the agility to viably change lanes before wickedly sniping the biscuit.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-maxim_eliseev_-_3rd_period_30_35_-_30_45.mp4

Moreover, this one-timer in the slot capped off a recent hattrick but also serves exemplary for a number of his goals this season (and in the preseason). He loves to let it rip as it arrives. It’s his go-to shot, to be honest.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4-maxim_eliseev_-_3rd_period_9_51_-_10_1.mp4

Naturally, going on 20 and being of just average size, Eliseev will have to keep up this pace all season long to truly put himself into the draft discussion but even in the AlpsHL, it’s completely unusual to have a player this young showing this level of explosive effectiveness. We’re definitely going to be following this story.

Tobias Krämer

Defense - Jungadler Mannheim U20 (DNL U20)

6-foot-6, 210 pounds

As much as we’re looking forward to a very fascinating and perhaps surprisingly strong WJC performance from Germany this winter, we’ve entered the season well aware of Germany serving as a somewhat barren landscape for the 2026 draft. Not only did we see top prospect Darian Rolsing as a bit of a long shot, but he’s over in North America with just about every non-drafted prospect of interest, a few overagers included.

But in situations like this, we’re always happy to find a few surprises and after early season showings, a Czech German with the very German name of Tobias Krämer is raising a few eyebrows. He does indeed play for Mannheim’s powerhouse DNL team, and the league is tough to scout as there’s plenty of sloppy and unimpressive ice hockey to be seen there. And although he’s got nine assists in 14 games, that’s rarely ever been anything worth denoting.

However, he’s an RHD and already 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds. And he hits. He’s one of the league’s most physical players and displays not only a very simple game, but a suffocating one at that. Despite throwing his weight around in a manner that has left several opponents lying around on the ice, he’s gotten one two-minute penalty all season. The checks are valid and well-timed.

His game is not perfect - especially gap control - but he (#33) has been showing how he turns even that to his advantage as he is brutally effective at edging out attacking opponents.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-tobias_kramer_-_1st_period_21_44_-_21_56.mp4

The force of hits is evident time and time again. Even if - as already mentioned - one could argue about gap control, we are seeing board work like this in each and every game.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-tobias_kramer_-_2nd_period_6_35_-_6_47.mp4

And when things don’t go his way, he still applies his body to put things in perspective, as seen here where he perhaps tries one move too many but still makes someone pay for it.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-tobias_kramer_-_1st_period_19_20_-_19_32.mp4

Thankfully, his physical presence isn’t the only thing he brings to the table. We can’t wait to see what it’ll mean with some play at the pro level, but he does rush the puck and has made his way to the opposition net on his own accord plenty of times in recent years. This is one of many excursions we’ve seen him make.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4-tobias_kramer_-_shooting_from_the_slot_-_3rd_period_26_54_-_27_1.mp4

Finally, his nine assists haven’t just been pure byproducts. He is being entrusted with minutes at important times and has shown a modicum of playmaking ability, as seen in this overtime assist.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-tobias_kramer_-_3-on-3_play_-_1st_overtime_2_5_-_2_12.mp4

There are issues to be dealt with and his shots from the point aren’t exactly a strength to date, but Krämer is proving to be an exciting possibility moving forward and we’re happy that he’s got plenty of time this season to keep grabbing our attention.

Simon Johansson - European Video Scout

Filip Novak

Left wing / Center - HC Sparta Praha U20

6-foot-1, 198 pounds

Last season was an injury riddled one for Filip Novak. Only played a total of 21 games between his international, U17 and U20 team. He really impressed in his D-2 in the U17 team but was not able to continue that success into his D-1. This year Filip is looking to dominate the juniors and have even gotten to suit up for a game with HC Sparta Praha men’s team in the highest Czechian league.

Filip is a big, skilled forward that likes to have the puck on his stick. He drives play by skating with the puck along the boards, using his big body to shield himself from incoming forecheckers, getting the puck to his defensemen who can then put shots towards the net. Filip often tries to stay out of the perimeter and likes to drive the middle for better looks. He is moving constantly in his own end to either help dig out pucks with his defensemen or being a passing option for breakouts. When the puck gets out of his own end, Filip will want to build up speed through the neutral zone to then create a lot of rush chances.

Watching some tape of the big winger you’ll notice that he has some finesse with the puck as well. He’ll lure in stick checks only to quickly pull back and get the defenders off balance or combine stickhandling with skating at high speeds, weaving in crossovers evading pressure.

While Filip has been point-per-game at the junior level, there’s also a lot of chances that go to waste. He drives play well as mentioned before but lacks a bit of finishing ability in his goalscoring and playmaking. It’ll be interesting to see if he can stick around in the pros and establish a role there, hopefully in a top 9 line as Filip is definitely more of a scorer than a two-way player. It’s still very early in the season and we have to remember that he missed a lot of time from last year. With more games played this year, there’s a good chance to see a different kind of player compared to where we are right now.

VIDEOS

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Filip-Novak-Playdrive1.mp4

#18 in the clip
Jumps on the puck in the neutral zone to then drive play in the offensive zone, eventually getting the puck to one of his defensemen. Also highlights some nice dangles in getting the puck up high.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Filip-Novak-Playdrive2.mp4

#18 in the clip

Another clip of Filip driving play in the offensive zone. After he leaves the puck for a teammate, he immediately tries to find new space, getting the defense moving and opening up passing lanes.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Filip-Novak-Skating2.mp4

#18 in the clip

Here he makes a good zone entry by combining stickhandling and weaving crossovers.

2025 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP REVIEW – The McKeen’s team impressions of key players in the tournament

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:24:29 +0000

The 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup recently concluded with the United States capturing their second gold medal in tournament history, and first since 2003. Sweden took home the silver, while Canada captured the bronze.

This tournament serves as the first major event on the scouting calendar for the 2026 NHL Draft, so we asked some of our scouts to fill out a survey based on what they saw. Here are the results.

QUESTION 1 - Which 2026 eligible player from your region impressed you the most and why?

There’s no question that Ethan Belchetz was one of Canada’s best players. He used his size effectively to play through the middle of the ice and came up with some big plays when he was needed most. But I’m actually going to go with American winger Nikita Klepov who is coming to play in Saginaw this year. He was terrific for the U.S. in a key offensive role. He showed terrific skill from the wing and was assertive in trying to get to the middle of the ice. I was impressed with both his pace and his skill. He could be in for a big year in Saginaw as he looked like one of the most skilled forwards at the event. - Brock Otten

Even though I really liked the game of Samu Alalauri and he was the best defenseman for Finland, the player that really impressed me was Oliver Suvanto. He played a north-south two-way type of game and he was reliable in all three zones. On top of that, I found that he was really moving well for his size and he has a pretty good top speed. Also, I really liked how he used his body to create space for his teammates or himself in the offensive zone, and he was effective on the forecheck to apply pressure and create turnovers. He was also not afraid to attack the middle of the ice and drive the net to retrieve rebounds. As an early comparison/projection, it made me think of an Anton Lundell type of player. - Jeremy Rivet

Marcus Nordmark. He just went nuclear. Showed that he’s a goalscorer’s goalscorer. The quality of his shot is ridiculous, hard and accurate. He gets open with ease, he goes to the net, redirect pucks, it’s all there. Very similar feelings about Elton Hermansson. That guy is a whizz with the puck. Borderline elite on-puck talent. Both struggled on the other side of the puck, however. - Felix Robbins

Blake Zielinski, I was pleasantly surprised with the level of offense he was able to carry over consistently game by game. I saw a very opportunistic forward, taking advantage of many chances given to him. Ben Kevan looked similarly going into his season last year, but I have some confidence after this tournament, that Zielinski won't see a drop off in points like his teammate. - Linc Zdancewicz

Only two players represented the QMJHL, and I thought that Cameron Chartrand was the best between them. He did not look out of place, played with a good pace and took on a big defensive responsibility for Team Canada. - Jérémy Tremblay

Filip Novák proved to be a key piece of the Czech offense throughout the tournament. He combined strong puck skills with smart decision-making, showing he can both finish plays and drive them. His long, powerful stride gave him speed with the puck, while his poise allowed him to slow the game down and control the pace. Dangerous as a shooter from anywhere on the ice and effective without the puck, he showed the tools of a dynamic two-way forward. - Marek Novotny

Defenseman Daniel Kettler - Team GER: The combination of size and attention to detail, even if not always successful, tells me he'll be one to pay close attention to this winter. Forward Fabrice Bouvard - Team SUI: Looked solid and competitive from the beginning before kicking things into overdrive with 1-3-4 in the final two games. - Chapin Landvogt

Axel Elofsson had a great tournament and showed noticeable progress on both offense and defense compared to last season. Last year, he lacked physicality and often struggled in battles along the boards due to his size and weight. In this tournament, I saw improvement in those areas, even if it’s still a challenge for him. - Viktor Åhlund

Mathis Preston. He was consistently Canada's most dangerous offensive player. His ability to turn on a dime, manipulate defenders with his stickhandling, and vision with the puck had him looking like a high first-round level talent. - Felix Sicard

For me, I have to say Mathis Preston here. I already liked him a lot coming into the tournament, and my expectations were high, yet he still managed to exceed them. He's such an incisive goal scorer with the way he can slice through defenders before firing. He always pushed the pace higher and higher for Canada offensively, and he got rewarded for doing so by scoring some big goals. I know he has a lot of history and chemistry with the Ruck twins, but I thought Preston could have been even more effective than he was if he had consistent linemates who matched his skill and pace a little better. - Derek Neumeier

Adam Goljer (Slovakia) - He was the best player on Team Slovakia and the undisputed leader. Goljer is a right-handed two-way defenseman with a decent size at 6-foot-2. He did show the potential - he was confident with the puck, maybe over-confided at times, had great vision, played all the tough minutes and showed some bite to his game as well. Definitely an interesting prospect for the 2026 draft. - Matej Deraj

QUESTION 2 - Which 2026 eligible player from outside of your region impressed you the most and why?

I mean the easy answer would probably be Marcus Nordmark given how consistently dominant he was for Sweden. But he had been a player that I had been familiar with previously and had impressed me then too. The guy who really popped off for me was Finland’s Oliver Suvanto. He was one of the top pivots at the event. He was strong physically. He showed great engagement in all three zones. He was a load to handle with the puck and at the net front. This is a big kid who also happens to be one of the youngest eligible this year. I’ll have my eyes on him the rest of the way. - Brock Otten

For me it was Mathis Preston that impressed me the most outside of Finland. It was the first time that I saw him play and I really liked how dynamic he was offensively but also engaged without the puck. His vision and playmaking ability for me looked clearly above average. Same thing for his speed, agility and explosivity. He scored big goals for Canada as well or made important plays that led to a goal. - Jeremy Rivet

It’s gotta be Jack Hextall. What a gamer he is. By far USA’s most important player of the tournament. The pace and skill and DAWG is off the charts. Should receive first round consideration based on this performance alone, honestly. - Felix Robbins

Elton Hermansson. I have been a fan of his for a long time and I felt that he was far and away Sweden's most impressive player. I know Nordmark and Elofsson had more points and had high flying offense. However, I believed that Hermansson provided that level of offense AND played an important two way game that a lot of other Swedish forwards did not have in this tournament. - Linc Zdancewicz

I didn't know Jack Hextall before the tournament, but I was surprised by his combination of mobility and skills. He is a player to watch for the 2026 NHL draft. - Jérémy Tremblay

I will say Blake Zielinski (USA). He's got a seriously good hockey brain and can see the ice super well, always making smart plays to create scoring chances. His puck-handling is great, letting him keep control and make plays even when he's under pressure. Zielinski can dish it out and bury the puck himself as he's not afraid to finish a play. He was great at finding those open spots on the ice, which leads to scoring chances for him and his teammates. - Marek Novotny

Forward Nikita Klepov - Team USA: At this summer hockey event, I always like to see players with the gumption and wherewithal to push things and put their probably rusty skills on display. Klepov had just the type of panache I love to see in August, even if not everything worked out as planned (or advised?). But he clearly kept opponents on their feet and was among the more entertaining players to watch while contributing to a gold medal. - Chapin Landvogt

Jack Hextall was arguably the best player of the tournament, and in the two games I watched he had the biggest overall impact. He drove the offense with a high level of playmaking and was a constant threat whenever he was on the ice. - Viktor Åhlund

Oliver Suvanto for Finland impressed me the most. His blend of size, skill, and mobility had him looking like a potential first round pick. - Felix Sicard

I loved getting to know Ethan Belchetz a little better at this year's Hlinka. Him leading Canada in scoring is a nice feather in his cap, but it was the ways and times that he chipped in that kept catching my eye. He's built like a polar bear but also has incredibly soft hands, which is an unbelievable combination for any 17-year-old to have. I think there's a lot to like about his smarts and approach to the game as well, which leads me to believe that he'll make enough improvements to his skating and pace (which aren't even bad right now, really) that he will really explode as a prospect in the next few seasons. - Derek Neumeier

Marcus Nordmark (Sweden) - He was the key offensive player from Team Sweden, led the team in scoring. He’s a highly skilled winger with great skating, plays with pace and creates a lot of offense. He’s a smart player and definitely a first round prospect. - Matej Deraj

QUESTION 3 - Which prospect has left you with the most questions about their game following the Hlinka/Gretzky and why?

I’ll give two answers in Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin from Canada’s blueline. This was supposed to be the team’s strength heading into the tournament and the group never seemed to gel. Is that on coaches, players, or both? Ryan Lin was the standout of the camp in Oakville that I attended, and I loved his game at the most recent U18’s as an underager too. My expectations for him at the event were sky high, but I thought that he struggled defensively and wasn’t as assertive with the puck as he could have been. Verhoeff, on the other hand, is someone that I still have a tough time getting a read on. The tools are fantastic. But, I find the application of those tools wildly inconsistent. I would have said that prior to the Hlinka/Gretzky and now I’m even more on the fence. It’ll be very interesting to see how he plays at North Dakota. - Brock Otten

Considering that he is really high rated for the draft, I will go with Keaton Verhoeff. It was my first view of him and I liked his play during the preliminary round. He looked like the best defenseman for Canada during the first three games as he was effective on the breakouts, made the right play most of the time, was poised with the puck and dynamic offensively. Adding to that, his mobility for his size is also really good. However, during the semifinal and the bronze medal game, he wasn’t the most reassuring defenseman for Canada. Twice against the USA he made bad reads in front of his net and was slow to take the opponent's stick or box him out which twice led to a USA goal. He also struggled more on the breakouts especially when put under pressure. His decisions with the puck were not very good either in the final game where he either tried to do too much when the situation required better puck management or he got rid of the puck softly when there was not big pressure on him. So, we will see how he progresses throughout the season and if it was simply a matter of him trying to do too much to try to impress or because his hockey IQ is a bit lower than expected. - Jeremy Rivet

Keaton Verhoeff, maybe. I didn’t really see a player who should be challenging McKenna for 1st overall based on this tourney. Very questionable moments with regards to his hockey sense. Gonna reserve judgement until I see him in the NCAA. - Felix Robbins

I would say Brooks Rogowski, partially because I had high expectations of him due to his size and some of his offensive instincts, he has a much higher hill to climb this season than I first thought. - Linc Zdancewicz

Ethan Belchetz wasn't bad, but I feel he could have done more. His physical tools and skillset are interesting, but also difficult to use at a higher level of hockey. Can he put every piece together this season and finish at the top of the OHL? - Jérémy Tremblay

From two angles I will say Czechia's powerplay and a player I will go with here is David Huk. Czechia's power play was just bad... slow, messy, and no real scoring threat. It killed their momentum a lot. Huk's job was simple: win faceoffs and muscle in around the net. But he didn't use his size well. He lost too many puck battles, looked clumsy and slow, and wasn't intense enough near the goal. He just didn't do enough on the power play and he was supposed to be a key guy there doing the dirty work. - Marek Novotny

Defenseman Keaton Verhoeff - Team CAN: With his profile, this tourney doesn't have to be anything other than a blip on the radar but after three points in an outstanding game against a tough Finnish side to kick things off, we just didn't see him impacting the scoresheet the rest of the way. And he had plenty of opportunities to do so. In light of his status as a possible top three pick in an outstanding draft class, I felt we should have seen more authority and assertiveness from him at this tournament. - Chapin Landvogt

Nils Bartholdsson, He is a player I watched many times last season with Rögle, so my expectations for him were high. He put up some points in this tournament, but I expected a bigger overall impact from him. While he had some strong offensive moments, he lacked consistency throughout the game and had too many giveaways in both the offensive and neutral zones. With that being said, he doesn’t leave me with a lot of questions but I know there is more to ask from him. - Viktor Åhlund

Keaton Verhoeff. It still seems very likely he will be the second name on most boards for the next few months, but his disappointing performance against the USA, notably in his decision-making with the puck, left me wondering about his puck-moving and offensive upside. Plenty of time for him to work it all out, though. - Felix Sicard

Alessandro Di Iorio was obviously one of the bigger names for Canada coming into the event, with his high OHL draft status, successful 16-year-old season, and then winning U18 gold as an underage player. But I didn't really know what to make of him before, and I still don't really know right now. The shot is obviously a weapon. He's not bad with the puck on his stick, either. But in this tournament I thought he was behind the play more often than he drove it, which is always a bit concerning for a supposedly top prospect who doesn't have elite skating or physical play. He's someone that I think I will have to watch a lot this season to properly understand, but not necessarily in a good way. - Derek Neumeier

Keaton Verhoeff (Canada) - He entered the tournament as the favorite for the #2 overall pick, but I must admit I did expect more. He’s still an awesome prospect with great tools, but it wasn’t the best start to his draft season in my opinion. - Matej Deraj

QUESTION 4 - Which 2027 draft eligible player impressed you the most and why?

There were quite a few strong performances from 2027 eligible players, especially later birthdays. But the one that really stood out for me was Noah Davidson from the U.S. Played last year with Shattuck St. Mary’s and is going to Medicine Hat of the WHL this year. His power game was extremely impressive. He moves well for a bigger forward at his age and defenses at this tournament had a really tough time preventing him from getting to the net. Big wingers with pace and skill don’t grow on trees. - Brock Otten

Dima Zhilkin really impressed me as a 2027 draft eligible. He looked better than most of the 2026 eligible. He was creating a lot offensively and was getting big minutes on the powerplay as well. His compete level was constant throughout the tournament, and he made big plays and scored big goals. He was also very good off the puck, and I liked his tenacity in puck battles and on the forecheck. His offensive abilities are already above average too. - Jeremy Rivet

Levi Harper. That kid was a constant threat to score in the offensive zone. Competitive as hell. Really monstrous tournament from him and I look forward to seeing what he does in the OHL. - Felix Robbins

Noah Davidson beyond a shadow of a doubt. Everything that I expected Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll to be, Davidson was and he took advantage of every opportunity given to him. He was relentless, stable on defense, and most of all smart. Big fan of his and can't wait for his draft year. - Linc Zdancewicz

The easy answer is Landon Dupont because he is just awesome, but Dima Zhilkin also deserves some spotlight. He was very useful for Team Canada as a 16-year-old, he played with speed and created a lot of scoring chances. A player to watch for the 2027 NHL draft! - Jérémy Tremblay

Lukas Kachlir 100 %. The youngest player at the Hlinka Gretzky, finished with four points in four games and left a strong impression. He consistently stood out with his hockey sense, mobility, and confidence on the puck. His power-play presence, quick release, and ability to create plays in transition made him a constant threat. Despite his smaller frame, he looked like one of Czechia’s most dynamic and exciting prospects. - Marek Novotny

I'll start by saying that it certainly wasn't the highly touted Max Penkin (GER) or Jonah Neuenschwander (SUI) - both of whom needed them to be contributing already this summer. And normally, I'd be very happy to tip on forward Dima Zhilkin, who was already a go-to player for Canada. But I was really impressed by what we saw from defenseman Levi Harper, who was not only the top 2027 draft eligible in my mind's eye, but one of the tournament's top overall players and a key contributor to a gold medal. - Chapin Landvogt

Levi Harper had a great performance in my view, lethal on the power play and had an overall offensive impact, solid in his own end. - Viktor Åhlund

Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll. His combination of skill, as well as relentless puck pursuit made him an impactful player for the USA. Add in his foot speed, and you have a very intriguing prospect for 2027. - Felix Sicard

Unsurprisingly, I have to say Landon Dupont here. The stats might not suggest it, but I thought he had an excellent tournament for Canada the longer it went on. He did everything offensively but show up on the score sheet. He looked like he was going to be dangerous with every single puck touch, regardless of the zone it happened in. He was confident with the puck, and he always knew the weight of the moment in all of his shifts, increasing his focus and intensity accordingly. It speaks volumes that he played so many minutes in the big games when the Canadian coaches shortened their bench. After how this tournament went for Canada I think he's going to be extra motivated at the next big event he plays at, and opponents will need to watch out. - Derek Neumeier

Oliver Ozogány (Slovakia) - He impressed with four goals in four games, but it’s not only about the production. He did show some promising offensive skills, he has a great shot, moves well and finds great spots to appear in. He also has the size (6-foot-2) and competes well. Another promising player for Slovakia. - Matej Deraj

2025 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP PREVIEW -GROUP B – United States, Sweden, Slovakia, Germany – Slovakian hosts hope for an improved tournament, while Sweden returns with another strong squad

Linc Zdancewicz, Simon Johansson, Matej Deraj, and Chapin Landvogt — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 16:44:03 +0000

GROUP B

United States

By Linc Zdancewicz

The United States Hockey Program has been dominant at the international stage in recent history. However, this prominence has not carried over to the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament. The Red, White, and Blue haven’t won the tournament since 2003 and only have a bronze medal to their names in the last seven tournaments. Generally, this is due to the U.S. not bringing the best of their top prospects, often not selecting USNTDP players. Opting for lesser-proven prospects to fill out their roster to stand out. Luckily, this season they have an intriguing crop of prospects who will add firepower to their roster that can hopefully see a top three finish this year.

Looking at the rest of the field, the USA will have their work cut out for them. Staring down the barrel of a tough Swedish team in their own Group B and other teams like Czechia, Finland, and the absolutely loaded Canada squad in their way, America could find it difficult to medal. I predict this squad will at least be on the cusp of a bronze this year. Canada and Sweden are giants like most years, but I believe they can remain competitive with Finland and Czechia for that elusive third place finish.

Key Players:

Brooks Rogowski - C - Oshawa Generals (2026)

Bringing by far the most size in this group is Brooks Rogowoski, standing at 6-foot-6. Rogowski started looking like a problem for opposing OHL squads at the end of last year. His size is emphasized by a great skating ability, and solid compete level. Along with those traits, his anticipation was displayed quite well in his back checks and his positioning in the offensive zone for Oshawa this past season. He still needs to fine-tune his stick handling to better take advantage of some of his creativity with the puck, but, overall, Rogowski will most likely prove to be an effective power forward for the Americans in this tournament, who can produce points as well. He is currently committed to Michigan State for 2027-28.

Jack Hextall - C - Youngstown Phantoms (2026)

Moving to yet another Michigan State Commit, Jack Hextall showed off his patented skill and playmaking ability regularly this past season for Youngstown. Though I wouldn’t call his skating outstanding, his edgework allows him to change direction quickly and add serious pressure to opposing defenses. His marvelous stickhandling and playmaking strengths should help him out in the Hlinka Gretzky and in the USHL this upcoming season. Combine all of his strengths with his power play usage, and he can be a very effective performer in this tournament.

Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll - F - Medicine Hat Tigers (2027)

Electricity is personified by Utah-native and assistant captain, Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll. His high energy is evident in every viewing. Though his draft year isn’t until 2027, Gordon-Carroll’s skills and overall game are at an advanced level for a 16-year-old. His creativity with the puck and his skating were crucial aspects in keeping plays alive for Medicine Hat this past season. Gordon-Carroll is going to be a must-watch player in the offensive zone. Defensively, he has all the energy to be an X-factor, stepping up on neutral zone opponents and tilting the ice in his favor. His mix of smart, responsible hockey and confidence with the puck could prove that America’s youngest player is also their most impactful.

Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu - D - Edmonton Oil Kings (2026)

The size of your blueline is becoming more and more important, so it should be no surprise that the son of a former NFL offensive lineman is a physical monster on the back end. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 220 pounds, Ta’amu is a hard defenseman to get past on rushes. Showcasing his strengths from his past year in Edmonton in the WHL, he is adept along the wall and especially on retrievals, he will make opposing teams have to work to maintain an offensive zone chance. Even though he is still a very raw prospect, Ta’amu will have every chance to emerge as a solid, reliable defensive defenseman this tournament.

Nikita Klepov - Forward - Saginaw Spirit (2026)

Florida-born Russian American, Nikita Klepov, is an opportunistic forward who should not be left alone in space. While playing in a reduced role for Sioux City last season, he buried 12 goals and should get more ice time with a Saginaw Spirit team that has lost much talent. Klepov should be a great mix of playmaking and goal scoring that should make the U.S.’s forward depth even more potent. Though his skating speed and small frame are not doing him any favors, Klepov makes plays regardless. Overall, Klepov is a sneaky offensive talent, and he’ll score a back-breaking goal when his opponents least expect it.

Blake Zielinski - Forward - Des Moines Buccaneers (2026)

After starting with the New Jersey Avalanche, Blake Zielinski became one of the most valuable players for the Des Moines Buccaneers last season. His combination of relentless compete, solid stick talent, and rocket of a shot makes him a serious offensive weapon for the Americans in this tournament. Some drawbacks that will hurt him are his skating speed and the occasional habit of panicking when pressured. Overall, Zielinski is an intriguing offensive threat to add to any line and will work very hard to keep the offensive momentum on his team’s side.

Will McLaughlin - Defense - Portland Winterhawks (2026)

Another dual citizen on this team is Will McLaughlin, who hails from Canmore, Alberta. McLaughlin showed a ton of skill and two-way prowess in the AJHL with Drumheller last season and should surprise many this upcoming season for the Portland Winterhawks. The Hlinka Gretzky will be the first time that many see how potent a distributor he is from the blueline. Add in his solid skating ability and tendency to join the rush, and you’ll have many more leave this tournament as a fan of his. Though I remain optimistic, the Hlinka-Gretzky will be a proving ground of sorts for McLaughlin, so keep your expectations tempered.

Sweden

By Simon Johansson

Last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup for team Sweden looked great, with players like Sascha Boumedienne, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Milton Gästrin, and Eric Nilson all going pretty high in the 2025 Draft. This year’s no different. While the top end talent like Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck will not be attending, there’s still plenty of talent to be excited about. The backend is still a bit weak just like last year, though guys like Axel Elofsson and Malte Gustafsson have the upside to be able to crack into the first round. But you also have forwards like Elton Hermansson and Marcus Nordmark that bring exciting offensive tools, who should be able to get plenty of ice time in the top six. You even have Bosse Meijer participating who is a high-end prospect for the 2027 draft that, despite his young age, should still be able to make a stamp on this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Key Players:

Axel Elofsson Photo: Andreas Sandström / BILDBYRÅN

Axel Elofsson - Defense - Örebro HK U20 (2026)

Most likely the defenseman with the highest offensive upside for a Swedish born player this draft, Axel Elofsson has a ton of similarities to Axel Sandin-Pelikka. Almost being point per game, Elofsson brings plus tools in skating and offense creation. He uses his crossovers well to evade forecheckers and thanks to his edgework he’s also able to open up lanes by dancing on the blueline. Size is going to be his biggest concern but already growing an inch from last year there is hope that he could add that size and remove the doubts from NHL teams.

Malte Gustafsson - Defense - HV71 U20 (2026)

Malte Gustafsson has plenty of tangible toolsets that would make NHL teams foam at the mouth. His 6-foot-4 frame, skating ability, hockey IQ, and offensive skill are hugely impactful traits in today’s modern NHL. He compares to Sascha Boumedienne when it comes to the tools, but Gustafsson is also very raw, so it is hard to say what kind of ceiling he has. As a June birthday as well, he will most likely stay with his U20 team in HV71 and continue honing his craft.

Nils Bartholdsson - Forward - Rögle BK U20 (2026)

The small energy forward Nils Bartholdsson will be looking to make an impact at the Hlinka to raise his stock. Almost clipping a point per game with his Rögle U20 and possessing a high motor type of game, he should be a very intriguing prospect. Despite his smaller size, he’s still strong on his skates and utilizes his low center of gravity well. However, the NHL is leaning towards a taller preference and even though Bartholdsson has first round talent, he’ll really have to sell his game to NHL scouts if he wants to get there.

Elton Hermansson - Wing - MoDo Hockey U20 (2026)

Coming into this year’s draft, Elton Hermansson has one of the best shots of any Swedish prospect. Maybe not the same caliber as Anton Frondell but Hermansson’s wristshot is a definite threat. Scoring 17 goals and 19 assists, he can also be a dual threat on the ice. He’ll drive play and will find his teammates in scoring areas thanks to his great vision, recognizing their open space and making accurate passes. Hermansson will be switching clubs this season from Örebro to MoDo, back to where he grew up and will get into a more comfortable environment.

Oscar Holmertz - Center - Linköping HC U20 (2026)

One of the better defensive prospects in this tournament for team Sweden, despite being a forward, is Oscar Holmertz. Besides producing at a good pace with his Linköping U20, he possesses a mature, good two-way game at a very young age. How translatable his offense is going to be is a question, but there’s no doubt about what you will get from him in his own end. He’s responsible at center, plays a supporting role to his defensemen and is positionally sound. If Oscar continues his offensive production, he could end up as one of the better two-way prospects for the 2026 Draft.

Bosse Meijer - Center - Frölunda HC U20 (2027)

A personal favourite of mine in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is Bosse Meijer, the next Gabriel Landeskog. Tenacious forechecker, defensively sound, and a good overall offensive game, Meijer is one of the few players that was invited to the team but not eligible for this year’s draft. He’s a center at heart but since the size might be an issue at only 5-foot-10 he might need to make the switch to wing. Though physicality is not an issue for him as despite him being younger and smaller than most of his opponents he rarely gets knocked off the puck and is not afraid to lay the body.

Marcus Nordmark - Wing - Djurgårdens IF U20 (2026)

Marcus Nordmark is a big winger that has the potential to be a future dual threat, power forward at the NHL level. He has solid vision to find open passing lanes, pushes the play towards the middle of the ice, and fancies wrist shots from those spots. His skating is below average, but thanks to his good hockey IQ, it may not be an issue in the future. In all likelihood Nordmark will be spending his time with the junior club and will try to be one of the leading scorers for his team.

Slovakia

By Matej Deraj

The tournament returns to Slovakia after two years, and the home team is aiming for a stronger result. The last time it was held in Trenčín, things didn’t go well for Martin Dendis’s squad. Slovakia lost all its games, even the final placement match against Germany, and finished in last place. This time, they’re hoping for a more successful run.

Last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup was an improvement. Slovakia almost pulled off an upset against Sweden in the opening game, falling 4-3 in overtime. They followed up with a 3–2 OT win over Switzerland and put up a respectable fight against Canada, despite a 5-1 loss. In the placement game, Slovakia defeated Germany 5–2 and finished in fifth place.

A similar result seems like a reasonable goal for this year’s Slovak team. They’ll benefit from home-ice advantage and the support from the stands, which should give them a moral boost. The first group stage match against the United States will determine their tournament. If Slovakia manages to win, they’ll have a solid chance to reach the semifinals. The last time Slovakia advanced to the final four was in 2021, when the juggernaut of a team led by Juraj Slafkovský, Šimon Nemec and Dalibor Dvorský took silver.

This year’s squad appears stronger than the 2023 team, which relied on underagers. On the other hand, the 2008 age group mostly lacks the experience from international U18 tournaments and many players will meet this level of pace for the first time, which will be a true challenge for Team Slovakia.

Goaltender Samuel Hrenák is expected to be a reliable No. 1 option. He’s a legit prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft and part of Slovakia’s promising new wave of goalies. Defenseman Adam Goljer (2026) brings poise and experience, while forward Timothy Kazda (2027) adds offensive skill. Both played at last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The forward group looks solid, including talented prospects like Matej Stankoven, Lucian Bernát, Michal Plančár, and underager Oliver Ozogány. However, the defensive group looks less mobile and more on the heavier side, which could lead to problems against better-skating opponents. Still, on paper, this Slovak squad has the potential to contend for a semifinal spot.

Key Players:

Timothy Kazda – LW/RW - Chicago Steel (2027)

Kazda has already played at last year's tournament and even scored a goal, which is an unusual feat for a 15-year-old. This year, he´ll be one of the most experienced players and an offensive leader. Kazda is a dynamic offensive forward with great hands, decent size at 6-foot-1 and also some bite to his game. He's a great scorer and fights for every puck. Overall, a very likeable prospect with some translatable traits – an interesting name for the 2027 draft. He´s already made his USHL debut and should spend the next season there.

Adam Goljer - RHD - HK Dukla Trencin (2026)

Goljer is probably the best 2008-born Slovak prospect who's eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. He´s a calm two-way defenseman who has a lot of traits NHL teams love – he´s already 6-foot-3 and almost 200 pounds, right-handed, and a decent skater with some physicality to his game. He doesn´t stand out with his offensive skills or demolishing hits, but can grow into a reliable shutdown D. He should spend the next season with Trenčín in Slovak top tier league.

Samuel Hrenák – G - Team Slovakia U18/Fargo Force (2026)

Hrenák is the expected Goalie No. 1 for Team Slovakia, he´s already played some games with the U18 National Team and even made his U18 World Juniors debut at the last tournament. He has decent size (6-foot-3), he´s talented, quick and mobile. Still needs to work on his technique but he´s definitely very promising. Should be the backbone of the Slovak team if they want to achieve a successful result. He should follow the same path as Detroit´s third rounder Michal Prádel (2025) – to start the season with the U18 National Team in Slovak second division and then move to the USHL.

Matej Stankoven – C - Brampton Steelheads (2026)

Stankoven, a distant relative of Carolina Hurricanes´ forward Logan Stankoven, should be one of the key offensive creators for Team Slovakia. He's a quick forward with a decent hockey sense who plays a responsible two-way game. He was drafted by the Brampton Steelheads in the CHL Import Draft and is expected to start the season in the OHL. If he can translate his game to the North American ice, he could be on NHL teams´ radars as an intriguing pick for the 2026 draft.

Michal Plančár – LW/RW - SaiPa U20 (2026)

Plančár has already played some games in the Slovak top tier league and managed to score a goal at the age of fifteen, making him one of the youngest players in the league´s history to do so. He´s a typical power forward with a solid frame (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) who loves to finish his checks and destroy the opponents. He's mean and strong but also has legitimate skill and could be a decent draft prospect. He needs to score on a regular basis in the Finnish U20 league to have a shot in the draft but could gain a lot of attention due to his style of play.

Germany

By Chapin Landvogt

Team Germany enters the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup coming off its best U18 Worlds performance of this century. A quarterfinals thriller against Team Slovakia saw the Germans bow out in the quarterfinals by a one-goal margin and the opportunity to push the game to overtime was certainly there. A few of those young men are scheduled to be at the HG Cup but the new wave of players joining them hasn’t enjoyed the same hype as the previous group, which itself saw just three players selected in this past summer’s draft, namely Maxim Schäfer, David Lewandowski, and Carlos Händel, in that order.

New head coach Andreas Becherer will be guiding this team for the first time and with little preparation before the event, the truth is that Germany will likely have major problems achieving anything resembling on-ice success at the eight-team event. Instead, a few players here or there will be making their way into the notebooks of scouts (or not) while Becherer starts an arduous journey to his first time at the helm of the squad for the U18 Worlds next spring. In this first step, we hope to get a feel for what goaltending we’re looking at this winter and if any defensemen not named Rolsing or Pizka can make a positive impression. Up front, we’re expecting little from this group now, but are curious to see if underagers Max Penkin and Jonas Schwarz are already the best of the bunch.

All in all, you’ll not see us surprised if Team Germany manages to score just five or fewer goals at the tournament. It will be an invaluable experience for this group, one way or the other, but leaving any team behind them in the standings will be a big accomplishment in and of itself

Key Players:

Tobias Krestan - RW - HV71 U20 (2026)

A good-sized winger, Krestan has been with the HV71 youth program for ywo years running and checked in with over a PPG pace at the U18 level last season. The son of a Czech forward who enjoyed many years in a scoring role in predominantly Germany’s second league (and who now coaches the RB Juniors U15 squad), Krestan has been showing similar offensive tendencies, even if overall strength is lacking and skating will need to improve. He’s got an uncoordinated look to him, but there’s a nose for the net and some tricky mitts here.

Max Penkin - C - Adler Mannheim (2027)

Already one of the more impressive players for Germany in a limited role at the 2018 Worlds, he is the biggest name on Germany’s prospect front in the near future. No reason to think he won’t already be a go-to player in a top six capacity as he uses this tournament to get ready for Mannheim’s DEL camp. Strong skater and something of a shorthanded specialist.

Aurelius Pizka - LHD - Jokerit U18/U20 (2026)

Aside from Rolsing, Pizka is clearly the most talented defenseman in this year’s group and has been developing with the Täby program for the past two seasons. After this tournament, he should be heading to Finland for his next stop, with play in their Finnish U20 league looking likely. Lacks size but has gumption and smarts.

Darian Rolsing - RHD - Wenatchee Wild (2026)

Before he heads off to join Wenatchee for the upcoming WHL season, Rolsing will take his experience from the U18 Worlds, where the RHD gained more and more ice time, and add it to Germany’s efforts as the 6-foot-6 player who’ll surely have his hands full helping to keep pucks out of the net. This is the start of a big year for the top German prospect for next summer’s draft.