Alessandro Di Iorio – McKeen's Hockey

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

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 A – Canada, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland – Canadians chase fourth consecutive title gold medal

Brock Otten, Jeremy Rivet, Marek Novotny and Chapin Landvogt — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 15:08:10 +0000

GROUP A

Canada

By Brock Otten

Team Canada is hunting down its fourth straight Hlinka/Gretzky Cup gold medal, an event that they have largely dominated since its inception. Their odds of achieving the four-peat are fairly high too, given the strength of this year’s roster.

The defensive unit may just be the strongest group Canada has ever assembled for this event; scoring on Team Canada this year is going to be a huge challenge. Three of the team’s main defenders were key cogs for Canada in their U18 victory last May: Keaton Verhoeff, Ryan Lin, and Carson Carels. Daxon Rudolph was also there but played sparingly. After finding international success as underage players, this unit now tackles their own age group, which of course should be easier for them. Additionally, now that group also adds potential star Landon Dupont. It might not be fair.

Up front, the team will be incredibly balanced. They’ll have size, skill, and speed. Only Alessandro Di Iorio was a key member of that aforementioned U18 gold, so he’ll be leaned on heavily for his leadership. Outside that, expect Tynan Lawrence, Ethan Belchetz, and Mathis Preston to be the team’s key offensive figures and leaders.

Playing in Group A this year with Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland, Canada should be able to find success in the preliminary round. The team’s biggest threat to the four-peat is likely Sweden this year and they’ll be in Group B.

Key Players:

Keaton Verhoeff - Defense - University of North Dakota (2026)

Verhoeff made headlines this offseason by leaving the Victoria Royals of the WHL to play his draft year with UND of the NCAA. The big defender is the complete package; size, mobility, and two-way ability. Right now he’s the heavy favourite to go second behind Gavin McKenna in 2026 and with good reason. He should be one of the best defenders at this event and will captain this Canadian team.

Ryan Lin - Defense - Vancouver Giants (2026)

An unsung hero for Canada at the most recent U18’s, Lin was also a member of the CHL’s all-rookie team last year. He’s a high IQ puck mover who makes up for a lack of “physical tools” by being a strong critical thinker.

Carson Carels - Defense - Prince George Cougars (2026)

The third prominent member of that U18 defensive unit, Carels is a strong skating, two-way defender who, like Lin, is known for making heady plays with the puck. Interesting to note that of Canada’s top defenders at this event, Carels is the lone left-handed shot. He’s going to be playing a ton.

Landon Dupont - Defense - Everett Silvertips (2027)

The reigning CHL Rookie of the Year and top candidate for first overall in the 2027 NHL Draft, Dupont will have a ton of eyes on him at this event as an underager. But the offensive wizard should be up to the challenge after a strong performance at last year’s U17’s, where he captured silver with Canada Red.

Tynan Lawrence - Center - Muskegon Lumberjacks (2026)

There was some thought (or perhaps wishful thinking on the part of Chicoutimi) that Lawrence would leave the USHL this year for the QMJHL, but the Boston University commit has stayed loyal to Muskegon. He helped the Lumberjacks capture a Clark Cup title last year and was the playoff MVP. He should be the top center on this team, with his strong two-way play on full display.

Ethan Belchetz - Wing - Windsor Spitfires (2026)

The massive winger is going to be a load for opposing defenses to handle at this tournament given his skill and power game. He had a great U17’s last year for Canada White, helping them capture the gold. Expect him to be a force on the powerplay working down low.

Mathis Preston - Wing - Spokane Chiefs (2026)

A dynamic goal scorer, Preston led the U17’s in goal scoring last year, helping Canada White capture gold. To go with his excellent release and scoring instincts, Preston is also a dynamic skater and skilled handler, which allows him to consistently attack downhill.

Alessandro Di Iorio - Center/Wing - Sarnia Sting (2026)

The lone forward from the gold medal winning U18 team, Di Iorio projects as this Canadian team’s swiss army knife. He can play center or the wing. He can play in any situation and could be one of the team’s relied upon penalty killers. The coaching staff is likely to lean heavily on his experience and leadership capabilities, which is part of the reason why he’ll be wearing a letter at the event.

Finland

By Jeremy Rivet

After a disappointing showing in 2024, where they finished seventh following a winless round-robin, Finland will be looking to reset and re-establish their identity at this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Historically, the Finns have struggled at the Hlinka compared to other international tournaments, with just five total medals in tournament history. That said, they’ve shown flashes of competitiveness in recent years, including a bronze medal in 2022 — their first podium finish in a decade.

The 2025 roster doesn’t feature any projected first-round NHL picks at the moment, but it does include several of the country’s top U18 performers from last season, along with two defensemen who already represented Finland at the U18 World Championships: Juho Piiparinen and Samu Alalauri. This year’s squad leans heavily on structure, competitiveness, and size up front, with several physically mature forwards who can play heavy, north-south hockey.

Finland’s strength lies in its depth. There may not be any generational talents here, but nearly every player has produced at a high level in junior and brings projectable traits. The forward group is headlined by one of Europe’s most dangerous U18 scorers in Oscar Hemming, while the blue line features a mix of puck movers and big-minute defenders.

Expectations should remain modest — this is a balanced but not flashy roster — but if they can tighten up defensively, as Finland teams usually do, and get strong goaltending, the Finns could be a tough out in group play. They’re in a tough group against the likes of Canada and Czechia, but this roster has the tools to surprise.

Key Players:

Oscar Hemming – LW, Kiekko-Espoo, U18 SM-Sarja (2026)

The offensive catalyst for this Finnish group, Hemming dominated the U18 SM-Sarja last season with Kiekko-Espoo, scoring 35 goals and 63 points in just 31 games. He is probably the most likely Finnish player to rise up the draft boards throughout the year. At 6-foot-4, he blends pro-ready size with a goal scorer’s touch and natural instincts around the net. While his skating remains a work in progress, he finds space with smart routes and capitalizes with a quick, deceptive release. He’ll need to prove he can generate against stiffer competition and tighter checking in the U20 this season but expect him to be the go-to option on the power play and in key offensive moments at the Hlinka Gretzky.

Juho Piiparinen – RD, Tappara, U20 SM-Sarja (2026)

Piiparinen brings experience and poise to Finland’s back end. He played top four minutes at the U18 World Championship this past spring and spent most of last season logging steady minutes in the U20 league. A mobile, 6-foot-3 right-shot defender, he’s not flashy but plays a composed game and defends well with his stick and positioning. He’ll likely be leaned on in all situations, particularly on the penalty kill and late-game scenarios. Don’t expect big point totals, but he’s a stabilizer who should log 20+ minutes a night. This season, he is expected to see minutes in the Liiga with Tappara at some point.

Samu Alalauri – RD, Pelicans, U20 SM-Sarja (2026)

Another returning player from the U18 Worlds, Alalauri has the tools to be a quiet standout. At 6-foot-2, he’s a mobile right-shot defender who handles pressure well and moves pucks efficiently. He’s unlikely to rack up points, but he consistently makes the right play and rarely panics under pressure. With Piiparinen, he’ll form one half of Finland’s top shutdown pair and could play 5-on-5, PK, and second PP minutes. A steady, understated presence who should help keep games close. Like Piiparinen, he should see action in the Liiga this season with Pelicans.

Oliver Suvanto – C, Tappara, U18 SM-Sarja (2026)

A skilled and creative center who had 42 points in 42 U18 games last year, Suvanto brings much-needed playmaking to Finland’s lineup. At 6-foot-3, he has the frame to protect pucks and operate down low, but it’s his vision and ability to read plays that make him effective. He’ll likely slot into a top six role and be featured on the power play. If Finland’s offense is going to click beyond Hemming’s finishing, Suvanto’s distribution and puck touches will be a big part of it. After a point per game season last year, Suvanto is ready to see action in the U20 with Tappara this season.

Luka Arkko – LW, Pelicans, U18 SM-Sarja (2026)

A 6-foot-3 power forward with a raw but intriguing toolkit, Arkko brings size, reach, and flashes of skill to Finland’s forward group. He produced 35 points in 38 games at the U18 level last season and added a few more in a late-season stint with Pelicans U20. While his skating still needs refinement, he’s strong on the puck, works along the boards, and can finish in tight. He was the top goal scorer for Finland U17 last season, and his shot is really his biggest strength. This year, he should be able to establish himself at the U20 level with the Pelicans. If he finds chemistry and plays with pace, he could be a valuable piece for Finland.

William Gammals – G, Tappara, U18 SM-Sarja (2026)

Goaltending is always pivotal in short tournaments, and Gammals will have the first crack at the starter’s role. He posted a solid .910 save percentage and 2.69 GAA in 33 games last season and he was the most successful of the goaltenders that played for Finland U17 last season in terms of wins with 5 including 2 shutouts. He’s quick laterally, tracks well through traffic, and battles hard on second chances. While not overly big (6’0”), he plays with structure and confidence. If Finland wants to upset one of the big teams in Group A, Gammals will likely have to steal a game.

Wilmer Kallio – LW, TPS, U20 SM-Sarja (2026)

Kallio quietly put up excellent numbers last year with 35 points in 24 U18 games and added 11 more in 19 games at the U20 level. A slick puck handler with good edgework, he can carry the puck through layers and create offense off the rush. He’ll likely be put in the top 6 and help drive a scoring line. Kallio still needs to add strength, but he’s crafty enough to make a difference against top competition. This season, Kallio will try to build on his success from last year. Of note, Kallio is the son of former Atlanta Thrasher Tomi Kallio.

Czechia

By Marek Novotny

Czechia’s U18 squad is gearing up for a shot at a third straight medal at the prestigious Hlinka Gretzky Cup — and this year, the challenge comes with a home-ice twist. New head coach Jan Tomajko has named his 23-man roster for the tournament, which will be staged for the first time in Brno and neighbouring Trenčín from August 11–16. The group blends proven international experience with promising faces.

The roster includes a mix of eight defenders and thirteen forwards, supported by two goalies—František Poletín (Pelicans Lahti, Finland) and Martin Psohlavec (Karlovy Vary). Among the defenders are standouts Lukáš Kachlíř (Liberec), who already represented at U18 Worlds as a 15-year-old, and Jiří Kamas from Plzeň.

A major blow is the absence of Šimon Katolický, regarded as a top 2026 NHL prospect. An appendix surgery has ruled him out entirely, significantly impacting Czech offensive depth.

The tournament format will see Czechia face Switzerland, Finland, and Canada in consecutive evenings at Brno’s Winning Group Arena, with the goal of advancing to the semifinals and continuing the medal streak achieved under former coach David Čermák. Now, under Tomajko’s guidance and backed by a passionate home crowd, the young Czech squad will aim to turn promise into podium once again.

Key Players:

František Poletín - Goaltender - Pelicans U20 (2026)

The starting goalie for Czechia, Poletín impressed during U18 Worlds with a standout quarterfinal save performance against Canada. Now playing with Pelicans Lahti in Finland, he brings international experience, is poised in pressure situations, and has some solid puck-handling ability. Reliably consistent, experience at U18 Worlds gives him an edge despite his youth.

Lukáš Kachlíř - Defense - Bili Tygri Liberec U20 (2027)

Kachlíř already played at the 2025 U18 Worlds when he was just 15, and he seems super mature for his age when he's on defense. Playing for Liberec, he really helps Czechia move the puck up the ice as a very mobile skater and is great at keeping the right distance from attackers. He does need to get stronger to handle those tough forwards, but he's got a cool head and good defensive instincts that you don't usually see in someone so young.

Jiří Kamas - Defense - Penticton Vees (2026)

Jiří Kamas, a defenseman from Plzeň, who has decided to play overseas in the WHL for the Penticton Vees in the upcoming season, can really move. He's good at getting the puck out of his zone and plays well at both ends of the ice. His skating and how well he keeps attackers in front of him make Czechia's defense better. Even though he didn't play at the U18 Worlds, he's shown he's ready through his play with his club team. He just needs to get stronger and make better decisions in the zone when the pressure's on.

Šimon Bělohorský - Wing - Guelph Storm (2027)

Šimon is a goal-scoring winger, who will be shooting pucks for the Guelph Storm of the OHL in the 2025/26 season. He's got a quick release and knows how to finish plays. Even for his age, he's got great puck control and makes smart moves in the offensive zone. He makes good decisions when the pressure's on, has a good sense of where to be, and is good at creating chances when rushing the net or up close.

Filip Novák - Forward - HC Sparta Praha U20 (2026)

So, this kid starts out in Chomutov—barely a teenager, still rocking ninth grade—already mixing it up with the older kids. Not long after, boom, he’s off to Prague. At thirteen, he’s skating in the U17 Extraliga. Thirteen! He's a great talent who can lead the Czech attack. He's a smart forward with nice puck skills who can make plays and score goals. He has a dynamic two-way game – not only is he a shooter, he is also a play driver.

Michal Hartl - Forward - HC Kometa Brno U20 (2027)

Forward Michal Hartl, born in 2009, is one of the best players in his age group, proving to be a scoring machine and a consistent producer at several levels. One of the youngest players at the Hlinka/Gretzky, Hartl has the ability to execute plays through the neutral zone and put himself on rushes to create opportunities. He can produce, finish, and find open space all at high speed. Combination of those tools makes him a 2027 NHL Draft high-upside prospect.

Switzerland

By Chapin Landvogt

This is Tournament 1 after the disastrous result that was the 2025 U18 Worlds in Texas. It took a relegation round shootout, but Switzerland has been relegated at the hands of Norway and enters the Hlinka Gretzky Cup already preparing for next spring’s D1A U18 Worlds, where there can be no other goal than to gain promotion. Playing against Czechia, Canada, and Finland at the HGC means that Switzerland will, once again, be the heavy underdog. At least there’s no relegation here and even if the team should finish last, there’ll be a final placement game against the last-placed team in the other group to better test their metal.

For head coach Patrick Schöb, this tournament will be of great value in determining where several of his most important players are at for the all-important tournament next spring. Camp included 3 goalies, 10 defensemen, and 14 forwards, but another 15 players are listed as possible call-ups. None of goalies or defensemen were at the U18 Worlds this past spring while the team’s top 3 forwards heading into this tourney were. Peterborough Petes draft pick Yanis Lutz will also look to be one of the go-to players up front.

As has been the case in recent years, only Germany and Slovakia look like squads that the Swiss could leave behind them next week and chances are very good that they’ll meet one of those two in the placement game for 7th overall. But again, this tournament is going to be all about taking a first step towards gaining promotion next spring. For spectators, there will be a few very interesting players to keep tabs on.

Key Players:

Raphael Achermann - Wing - Rimouski Oceanic (2026)

A lefty shot winger headed to Rimouski of the QMJHL for the upcoming season, Achermann is one of the few players on this team who spent the entire 24-25 season in Switzerland’s U21 league entirely as a 16-year-old, putting up 25 points in 43 regular season games. Sneaky on the attack and used to putting up with rough stuff.

Fabrice Bouvard - Center - GCK Lions U20 (2026)

Bringing good size to the table for a forward of his age and ilk, Bouvard stepped all over U17 competition before becoming his U20 team’s sixth best scorer with 23 points in 42 games. A regular contributor for the nation’s U17 and U16 teams in international friendlies, the thought is that he has an outside shot at NL action this winter. A top 6 role at the HGC should be a given.

Jonah Neuenschwander - LW - EHC Biel-Bienne (2027)

Definitely the most interesting player to watch this summer, the 6-foot-3, 182-pound underager (just 16) is a top prospect for the 2027 draft and already brings WJC, U18 Worlds (4 assists in 5 games) and NL (3 assists in 15 games) experience to the table. This will be the first event of his DY-1 season and there’s a ton to be excited about for a player many feel will one day join the likes of Kevin Fiala and Nico Hischier as an offensively impactful Swiss NHL forward. Barring injury, he may represent his country at more international tournaments this season than perhaps any other single player out there.

Vito Thoma - RHD - EHC Kloten U20 (2026)

A smaller mobile defenseman with some jump in his game, Thoma had some impressive play as a puckmover in Switzerland’s U21 league this past season (13 points in 25 games) while his 26 points in 22 games in the nation’s U17 league gave him the top PPG average among defensemen in the league. He did all this as a 16-year-old, who just turned 17 on July 29th.

Clemens Troxler - C/W - Linköping HC U20 (2026)

Troxler is a 2025 U18 Worlds returnee who is set to join the Linköping program in Sweden for the upcoming season. The skilled multipositional forward has shone as a playmaker in Switzerland the past two seasons and was already seventh in scoring on his U21 league team as a 16/17-year-old. Good size and some impressive decision making with the puck makes him intriguing.