Axel Elofsson – 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

2026 NHL DRAFT: 2026 World Junior A Challenge Review – Standout Performances

Brock Otten — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:02:21 +0000

The World Junior A Challenge used to be one of the most underrated events on the scouting calendar, however, the event has really lost its lustre in recent years with declining country participation, the banning of BCHL players, and the changing landscape of junior hockey. As such, it would appear that this year’s event in Trois-Rivières might just be the final version of the WJAC in its current format.

Once again, only four teams participated; Canada East, Canada West, Sweden, and the United States. For those unfamiliar, this event is for U19 players. Sweden brings their U18 team, minus a few key members seeing SHL time. The United States brings a USHL all star team. Canada West was made up of players from Western Tier 2 league (like the AJHL) minus the aforementioned BCHL. Canada East is made up primarily of OJHL players with a sprinkling of other Tier 2 leagues across Ontario, Quebec, and the East Coast. Given that the new NCAA eligibility rules strengthened the depth of the OHL this year, Canada East was littered with previous OHL players who lost their roster spots this year.

All things considered, this year’s tournament was better and more competitive than other recent versions and that had to make NHL scouts happy. Canada East defeated both the United States and Sweden before fizzling in the medal round. Canada West played determined, physical, team-oriented hockey and battled to a silver medal. Sweden was wildly inconsistent and struggled to get secondary scoring. The United States captured gold after a slow start to the tournament, largely dominating their final three games.

As mentioned, this tournament does serve as a chance to get more views on certain prospects, be it draft eligible or NHL affiliated. Here were some of the standouts:

Alexander Command - Center - Sweden (2026)

Command was the best player in the tournament and he’s playing at a really high level right now after a breakout performance at the recent Five Nations. He was on the cusp of cracking our first-round ranking in November, but he should be firmly in the top 32 in our next version. Command is such a well-rounded player. He skates well and can push pace, making plays in transition. However, he’s also a workhorse with strong puck protection skills who can grind out possessions deep in the offensive zone. He’s a physical player. He’s a committed two-way player. There’s really nothing to really pick apart in his game. Look for him to continue to rise up draft boards in the second half, including ours.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander_command.mp4

Command showing off both his playmaking ability and his finishing ability in two separate clips.

Peter Legostaev - Wing/Center - Canada East (2026)

Legostaev was a player that I was a little bit familiar with coming into the event because he was a previously hyped player in Ontario, capturing gold at the Canada Winter Games with Team Ontario in his U16 year. A late born 2007, Legostaev is first time draft eligible this year. He didn’t crack the Barrie Colts this year and has seen some time with Gatineau of the QMJHL, splitting the year between the “Q’ and the CCHL. He was Canada East’s most consistent player at the event, and it may even have him on the draft radar, especially if he returns to Gatineau and keeps performing well. He’s a big forward who can really rifle the puck. He’s not shy about it either. However, Legostaev impressed at this event because he played with a great energy level and was active in puck pursuit too. His skating isn’t the prettiest, but he gets to where he needs to be. This a long-term project who flashed enough upside at the WJAC for NHL scouts to take notice.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/peter_legostaev_-_1st_period_30_4_-_30_17.mp4

Legostaev showing off his powerful shot. He’s got a very deceptive release.

Ashton Schultz - Center - USA (Buffalo Sabres)

After getting drafted by the Sabres in the sixth round last year, Schultz returned to the Chicago Steel of the USHL this year. He’s been solid in the USHL, however he was excellent at this event as part of USA’s top line of Evan Jardine, Brent Solomon, and himself. Schultz was the high energy guy of that line, working to track down pucks, establish possession in the offensive zone, and create by getting pucks or himself to the net. He also brought an element of physicality and anchored the team’s penalty killing unit. It’s not likely that the University of North Dakota commit is a high upside pro, but he’s got enough going for him to be an NHL’er in some capacity.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ashton_schultz_-_3rd_period_26_10_-_26_23.mp4

Great work in front by Schultz as he lifts the defenders stick to get himself a scoring opportunity from the slot, then sticks with the play to finish it off for the goal.

Nils Bartholdsson - Wing - Sweden (2026)

Bartholdsson continues to play well for Sweden internationally. He was great at the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky. He had a strong Five Nations. And now, he was among Sweden’s top scorers at the WJAC. Bartholdsson is not big, but his work rate is extremely admirable. He’s got a low center of gravity and he seems to consistently come away from scrums with the puck. He’s the kind of player who always seems to keep his feet moving and he loves to shoot the puck, working between the dots just as much as he works the flank. The Swedish coaching staff really seems to trust Bartholdsson and he could definitely work as a middle six complementary piece at higher levels.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/nils_bartholdsson_-_3rd_period_9_16_-_9_29.mp4

Bartholdsson’s understanding of spacing and movement in the offensive zone is excellent. As mentioned, he always keeps his feet moving. Here he gets open near the crease for the easy goal.

Evan Jardine - Wing - USA (2026)

A late born 2007, Jardine is first time draft eligible this year despite playing in his third year in the USHL with Youngstown. As mentioned, he was part of that excellent first line for the gold medal winners. Jardine didn’t necessarily drive play, but his playmaking ability and vision really impressed. He makes quick decisions with the puck and is extremely decisive. He’s not huge. He’s not a dynamic skater. However, he’s highly efficient because he works hard and thinks the game at a high level. Think of someone like former New York Islander Josh Bailey or former Denver Pioneer Jack Devine.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/evan_jardine_-_1st_period_2_22_-_2_35.mp4

Really strong vision and anticipation by Jardine here to find Solomon quickly on the give and go, leading to a goal for the United States.

Brent Solomon - Wing - USA (Detroit Red Wings)

The third member of that strong first line for the U.S., Solomon was the States’ top play driver. The Detroit Red Wings draft pick consistently had the puck on his stick and he wasn’t shy about trying to get pucks on net; he averaged nearly 10 directed shots per game. He’s been among the USHL’s top players this year and the Wings have to be happy with how he performed here too. It’s clear that he’s worked hard to improve his skating over the summer in order to make the jump from the Minnesota high school ranks to the USHL. Solomon’s definitely a bit of a high risk player, he did have a few bad turnovers trying to make individual plays, however, his upside is quite high as an offensive player because of his creativity, puck skill, and shooting ability.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/brent_solomon_-_2nd_period_35_31_-_35_43.mp4

You can obviously use the Jardine clip as a positive one for Solomon too, showcasing his skill and finishing ability. However, here he is walking out the corner and burying it too.

Blake Zielenski - Center/Wing - USA (2026)

Probably the player with the highest profile on this U.S. team as a potential top 50 selection in 2026. He was arguably the team’s best player at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and now wins back-to-back gold medals with the American jersey on. He hasn’t been quite as good in the USHL as expected this year, but you can’t argue with the success he’s had wearing the red, white, and blue. While most of Zielenski’s production came in a single game against Sweden in the round robin, he was still solid the rest of the tournament. I like his work away from the puck in the offensive zone. He wants the puck on his stick and is willing to work to earn touches. I don’t think he’s a play driver at higher levels, but with his attention to detail, solid shot, and well-rounded skill set, he has a chance to develop into a solid complementary piece…even if I don’t necessarily see him sticking at center.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/blake_zielinski_-_2nd_period_11_10_-_11_22.mp4

Zielenski keeps the play alive along the wall, then cuts to the middle to receive a pass back. He executes the one touch pass perfectly to then set up the goal.

Axel Elofsson - Defense - Sweden (2026)

Sweden’s primary puck mover and powerplay quarterback at the event, Elofsson is an impressive play driver from the back end. He is highly skilled and he has quick feet, allowing him to routinely escape pressure, be it working off the point in the offensive zone or kickstarting the breakout from his own end. As an undersized defender, he’s going to need to prove to NHL scouts that he can defend and handle the forecheck, and he largely did that save one poor game against the United States. It will be really interesting to see Elofsson perform at the year-end U18’s, where he’ll have a chance to prove that he deserves to be in the conversation as one of the top offensive blueliners available this year.

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Great offensive sequence here by Elofsson. He pinches in to secure a loose puck and shows off his confidence as a handler by evading three U.S. defenders to get the puck back down low. Then, he gets a pass back and rifles one past the netminder for a goal.

Jake Prunty - Defense - USA (2027)

One of only two 2009 born players at the event (along with teammate Gunnar Conboy), Prunty was highly effective as a puck mover and powerplay quarterback for the United States. It’s easy to see why he’s been one of the higher scoring defenders in the USHL this year (on a point per game basis). He’s got silky hands and definitely thinks the game at a high level. I actually found myself consistently impressed by his stick defensively, helping to break up plays in both the neutral zone and defensive zone. Right now, he’s pretty undersized. He’s also not the kind of dynamic skater that you want to see from a defender of his size. However, he’s got over a year and a half to continue upgrading those “physical tools.” Colour me impressed. I would think that Prunty is one of the U.S.’ offensive leaders at next year’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup.

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Quick decision by Prunty to use a one touch pass to help set up the U.S. goal. He showed poise and confidence on the powerplay for someone so young.

Adam Andersson - Center - Sweden (2026)

While Command was clearly Sweden’s best player, it was actually Andersson who led Sweden in scoring. He’s a hulking pivot who really dominates down low. Canada East and Canada West both had a really tough time separating him from the puck and preventing him from getting to the net. He showed off good hands at this event and could have had even more than six points if not for some good goaltending. If he can continue to show improvements to his skating and playmaking ability, Andersson is going to be coveted by NHL teams this June. He impressed me a lot at this event.

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Andersson basically made the behind the net area his office this tournament. He was an unstoppable force down low. Here he is scoring on a wrap around.

Kale Osipenko - Goaltender - Canada East (2027)

A very interesting story of a late bloomer. Osipenko, a former 7th round pick of the Sarnia Sting (OHL), was playing in the EOJHL last year (formerly the CCHL2). This year, he graduated to the CCHL with Renfrew and he’s been one of the best goaltenders in the league. A late born 2008, Osipenko isn’t eligible for the NHL draft until 2027. Where he plays next year remains a mystery, but he is going to be someone to keep an eye on. Osipenko isn’t huge; perhaps he grows more in a year to help his case as an NHL pick, however he’s very athletic and tracks the play well, allowing him to make big saves. He started the WJAC off by making 50 saves to beat the eventual gold medallist USA and was overall steady the rest of the way, consistently giving his team a chance to win. Depending on how Renfrew ends the season, I would guess that Osipenko is on Hockey Canada’s radar to play at the U18’s, especially given the lack of standout performances across the CHL at the position.

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Osipenko showing off his quick reflexes and athleticism in two separate saves from that big win over the U.S.

Maksim Corovic - Goaltender - Canada East (2026)

Corovic only got one start against Canada West, which he won, but he showed enough in that start to catch my eye. It’s very easy to see why NHL Central Scouting has him listed as a potential selection for 2026. He’s big. He’s athletic. He shows a strong compete level in the crease. Earlier this year he did get one start against Kitchener for the Brantford Bulldogs, but given they have two veteran netminders already, he has spent the majority of the year with Collingwood of the OJHL. Like Osipenko, depending on how his year finishes, he could easily be on the radar for the U18’s too.

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Corovic stretches out to rob the Canada West player at the goal line.

Caleb Heil - Goaltender - USA (Tampa Bay Lightning)

A veteran of the WJAC, Heil was participating in this event for the third straight year, winning back-to-back golds as the starter. He used last year’s tournament to help him get selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in his second year of eligibility. The North Dakota commit continues to post pedestrian numbers in the USHL, but man, he’s been good at this event. Heil takes away the bottom of the crease really well. He’s got quick pads and his play tracking has improved. He’s not the world’s quickest or most athletic netminder, but he gets to spots and limits second chances. It’ll be interesting to see how Heil transitions to the NCAA level next year.

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Heil showing off his play tracking ability by anticipating this play well and sealing off the bottom of the net.

2026 NHL DRAFT: U18 5 NATIONS TOURNAMENT – Top Five European Standouts

Simon Johansson — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:26:48 +0000

This year’s U18 5-Nation tournament was held just 20 minutes from where I live, in a small town called Ulricehamn in Sweden. It consisted of Sweden, USA. Finland, Czechia and Switzerland. Despite top guys like Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck not attending, there was still a ton of talent put on display. As Sweden stood as the champions of this year’s 5-Nations, there were quite a few Swedish prospects that stood out. However, the other countries had some standouts as well, and I will be covering the top 5 players from the European countries that popped out to me more than others.

Marcus Nordmark, Wing, Sweden

Marcus was one of the best players in the tournament and the reason why is just how prolific he is offensively. He’s pushing play, driving towards the net and making incredibly accurate seampasses for his teammates, simply creating a ton of chances for his team. His shot also stood out positively. The puck comes off his stick rapidly from his wrist shot and is quite deceptive that way. Marcus is always active in the offensive zone, driving play and will be a part of making plays develop. Amongst his peers, his size is a big standout. Already very bulky and he’ll utilize reverse hits and is overall hard to knock off the puck. Marcus had a bit of a slow start and didn’t look very engaged early on in the season. But his performance as the top scorer together with Alexander Command, in addition to being the most productive first-year eligible player in the U20 Nationell league shows that he is one of the premium offensive players in this year’s draft.

#12 in the clip

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Does a great job by pushing play, driving hard towards the net to pull defenders toward him and then makes the pass at the perfect moment, eventually earning an assist.

#12 in the clip

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Marcus puts poise and vision on display here, holding onto the puck until his defenseman can jump up into play and get a great scoring chance.

Alexander Command, Center, Sweden

Alexander has been flying under the radar for a lot of people for quite some time but maybe this tournament performance will change the perspective on him. He was the co-leading scorer for the tournament together with Marcus Nordmark with 3 goals and 4 assists. Command is the type of player that can do everything at a good level. But what stands out the most is his compete, board play and defense. He never takes a shift off, forechecks and backchecks well, is physical along the boards to win puck battles, and is good in his puck retrievals. One area of his game that is unique for a young Swedish forward is his game along the boards. He already plays the cycle game well and has great puck control behind the net. Even though Alexander was the leading scorer, his playmaking is simple yet effective. It’s the quantity of his passes that stands out, as he creates a lot of scoring chances for his teammates. With the World Juniors coming up, there’s a chance that Alexander gets a call up to Örebro’s SHL team and with his great two-way play there’s a real chance for him to crack the lineup permanently.

#11 in the clip

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Alexander sneaks towards the boards and makes a smart stick lift on the puck recovery. He then shields the puck well, able to make some give-and-goes with his linemates to drive play.

#11 in the clip

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This is what I mean by “simple” playmaking. Alexander is strong on the puck and is able to get the puck up to his defenseman, who then puts a shot towards for a goal.

Axel Elofsson, Defense, Sweden

No goals in this tournament for Axel Elofsson but he was still able to contribute with 5 assists in 4 games. He may not have scored any goals but he wasn’t far off multiple times. He’s unique by driving play as a defenseman and his mindset is always to get towards the slot. By not only being a rover at the point, he’s able to open up passing lanes with his skating and can create a lot that way. His skating ability elevates every part of his game, combining his edgework with bodyfakes to be hard to check and can make things happen in limited space. Elofsson has the ability to open up his hips and move laterally, displaying great crossovers in his skating. He’ll evade forecheckers well during his zone entries and rush creation, but will also contribute to his team’s transition by making sound breakouts from his own end. The lack of size is always going to be a con in his career, but if he can continue to show elite offensive capabilities then he’s going to have a long NHL career.

#2 in the clip

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Here it is evident that he needs to gain some more power in his lower body, but is still able to start the breakout and lead the rush thanks to his overall good skating ability and edgework.

#2 in the clip

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Axel displays his offensive dynamism, making sharp turns with his edgework and finishes it off with a smooth saucer for a scoring chance.

Filip Novak, Wing/Center, Czechia

Czechia was not the favorite coming into this tournament, but Filip Novak was able to differentiate himself from the pack. Something that he has done consistently is being a threat on the powerplay, which he also showed during the 5-Nations. He plays well along the half wall, threatens with a good shot and challenges the defense constantly. Playing against Sweden, Czechia had a hard time having puck possession. But playing against the other teams, Filip showed good play driving ability 5v5. The Czech born forward is also a dangler, has great finesse with the puck, lures in poke checks to immediately pull his blade back, can stickhandle in high speeds by weaving in small crossovers and create opportunities that way. Back home in Czechia, Filip has gotten a solid start and has even gotten a game with the pro club. Making a stop in Sweden as well and doing a good performance bodes well for the upcoming 2026 draft.

#18 in the clip

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Here’s an example of Filip mixing in crossovers and stickhandling ability to gain entry and a shot on net.

#18 in the clip

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First he makes a good zone entry on the powerplay, then moves the puck at the half wall, passing around to eventually make a pass to his teammate in a good scoring area.

Viljo Kähkönen, Wing, Finland

Viljo is not breaking any records with his play in the SM-sarja and will probably never be a high end scorer. But the reason why I have Viljo in my top 5 players at the 5-Nations is simply because of his off-puck game. Viljo is a blue-collar type of player who works hard each shift and brings solid skating ability with it. As a winger he supports the breakout well thanks to his defensive work and is able to transition through the neutral zone with his line. While not possessing elite hockey IQ, he plays consistently well and smart. He is detail oriented and is smart in his defensive work by making timely stick lifts. Viljo plays center as well but his player type is close to a Logan O’Connor at the NHL and for me this is someone that is worth taking a shot at in the later rounds to potentially get a bottom 6 energy winger. Continuing to play in the Finnish junior league is a good route for him as he could also work on his offensive game to increase his potential ceiling as a winger.

#14 in the clip

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His work ethic is put on display here, makes a smart stick lift on the puck recovery and gets the cycle going.

#14 in the clip

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This is where Viljo is going to get his points, around the net. He is not a high end offensive player but making good plays like taking shots or putting pucks around the net is translatable to the NHL.

2026 NHL DRAFT: U18 5 NATIONS TOURNAMENT – Standout Performances in Ulricehamn, Sweden, November 2025

Viktor Åhlund and Felix Robbins — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 13:01:41 +0000

The 2025 November u18 5 Nations tournament saw a flurry of NHL scouts and international fans flock to Lassalyckans Ishall in Ulricehamn, Sweden. The rink that is used to HockeyTrean (Sweden’s 5th tier of men’s pro hockey) competition was suddenly the site of clashes between some of the best teenage hockey players on the planet and potential future NHL stars.

On paper, the tournament was 4 Davids versus 1 Goliath. Host nation Sweden were the heavy favourites and they did not disappoint, going undefeated despite some shaky moments late in games. Eternally underrated Czechia, the ever-hardworking Finnish team and weaker than usual USNTDP had some very strong team performances, all finishing with a 2-2 record. Only the Swiss team failed to secure a win, but that’s not for lack of trying. They took a few teams to the brink of defeat, but lacked the star power to break through and close out a victory.

Overall, the level of competition was not the strongest since some of the higher profile 2008-born skaters (Oliver Suvanto, Petr Tomek and Juho Piiparinen to name a few) were taken by the U20 squads for the 5 Nations tournament in Slovakia. In addition, the U.S. team that won gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament was made up of non-USNTDP players. However, that left a lot of room for lesser-known prospects to step up and put on a show on the international stage. Viktor and Felix, our scouts in attendance, go over the ones that made a strong impression from each team.

SWITZERLAND

Fabrice Bouvard

“Looking good” is a relative term for a team that went winless, but Bouvard was a standout for the Swiss playing a top 6 role down the middle. The centerman from Zürich didn’t get on the scoresheet consistently, but his skill level and ability to read the game were noteworthy. Ditto his two-way play, primarily with crafty and well timed stick checks. He put on a real offensive show against Finland in the final match of the tournament, factoring in on all of Switzerland's goals in a 1G 2A performance. He did fade into the background a fair bit, though. He didn’t have the best motor, either. As far as draft eligible Swiss players at the tournament, Bouvard might have the best shot at getting picked thanks to his intriguing tools and offensive upside. - Robbins

CZECHIA

Filip Novák

Filip Novák was the player that stood out for the weaker-than-average Czech U18 team at the 5 Nations Tournament in Ulricehamn. What caught my attention was his blend of size, poise, and willingness to make plays. Novák consistently supported play on both sides of the puck, using his strong frame to win battles and protect possession. In the offensive zone he showed good touch and patience, often initiating controlled exits and entries rather than forcing plays. Although there were moments where his decision-making could improve, his overall reads were still dependable. Defensively, he demonstrated strong awareness, staying above the puck and reading developing threats with confidence. While he wasn’t the flashiest player on the ice, his shift-to-shift consistency made him one of Czechia’s most dependable contributors. Overall, Novák’s tournament reinforced his profile as a well-rounded forward with the tools to impact the game in multiple ways. - Åhlund

FINLAND

Max Laatikainen

Max Laatikainen put in a composed and reliable performance for Finland at the U18 5 Nations in Ulricehamn, having 2 assists in 4 games. Something I really enjoyed was Max skating, it was smooth and controlled, and he consistently managed his gap well, steering attackers out wide and limiting high danger chances. With the puck, he wasn’t flashy but made smart, safe passes to break out of the defensive zone. Defensively, he competed hard, using his positioning more than physicality. His performance in Ulricehamn strengthened the view of him as a dependable, structure-driven blueliner with room to expand his puck-moving influence as he progresses. - Åhlund

Eelis Uronen

Before ever taking the ice, Uronen stood out for being the twin brother of Anttoni, younger brother of VGK prospect Tuomas, and captain of the U18 squad. On the ice, he was a competitive and confident piece on the backend for Finland. He stepped up and made an impact all over the ice. He played a physical defensive game, broke the puck out with ease (as well as skated it from OZ to DZ a few times), and was a regular offensive contributor both from the point and below the blue line. Watching him made me believe Uronen is a big game player. Despite the excellent tournament, Uronen is still a longshot to be an NHLer. The ceiling isn’t very high and the skating is average at best. However, he might have played himself onto some teams’ watchlists with his performance.I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on him. - Robbins

USA

Casey Mutryn

Mutryn stood out in a big way at Ulricehamn, and I’m not just talking about his frame. The forward from Norwell, MA., wore the C for the NTDP and was an all-situations workhorse for the U.S. He played an important role in the top 6 as a two-way puck-insulator and net-front presence, as well as a surprisingly solid transition driver thanks to his strong skating. He displayed good pre-scanning and body positioning habits, which is always an encouraging sign for a player's hockey IQ. However, he was never the player pushing the envelope offensively. It’s not like plays died on his stick, but he lacks the dynamic skill and creativity that some of his NTDP teammates possess. Mutryn has all the tools a player needs to find success in today’s NHL, thought most likely in a complimentary role. - Robbins

Wyatt Cullen

Wyatt Cullen delivered a notable showing for the U.S. team at the tournament, recording 4 points (1 goal + 3 assists) in 3 games. In the opening match against Switzerland he logged both a goal and an assist, helping his team to a 5-2 victory. What impressed me most was his exceptional vision, he maintained constant awareness of his surroundings, keeping his head up and tracking the play without ever needing to look down at the puck. He brought pace to the game, and high level puck handling skills, Cullen repeatedly created dangerous scoring opportunities and used his mobility to tilt play in the U.S.’ favour.

While the U.S. team did not ultimately claim the top spot, Cullen’s contributions stood out among his teammates, showcasing his two-way awareness and offensive upside. His performance in Ulricehamn underlined his growing status as a key young forward within the national program. - Åhlund

Nick Bogas

Bogas was never the biggest blueliner on the ice in Ulricehamn, but there were many moments where he was the meanest. Based on his average size, I wouldn’t have expected him to be the NTDP’s most effective and physically imposing shutdown defenceman. It looked like Bogas relished in getting under the skin of his opponents, and somehow managing to stay out of the box while doing so. He even had some nice puck moving moments and had a pretty decent shot from the point. There may not be a high ceiling here, but Bogas showed enough grit and defensive prowess to make me pencil his name onto my watchlist. - Robbins

Mikey Berchild

Berchild was one of Team USA’s most effective forwards, finishing with an impressive 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists). Across all four games, he showed a level of polish and consistency that stood out even against strong international competition. Throughout the tournament, Berchild demonstrated elite puck handling, smart skating, and high level hockey sense. His refined stickhandling allowed him to maintain possession in tight spaces and under pressure, often turning contested situations into controlled offensive sequences. He consistently created high-danger scoring opportunities by slipping through traffic, making advanced reads, and delivering precise, dangerous passes to teammates. His skating was both smooth and intelligent, enabling him to evade defenders, attack with pace, and generate momentum off the rush. Across all four games, Berchild’s performance firmly placed him among the elite forwards at the Ulricehamn tournament. - Åhlund

SWEDEN

Alexander Command

Alexander Command was one of Sweden’s standout players during the 5 Nations Tournament in Ulricehamn 2025. With a total of seven points (3 goals and 4 assists), he shared the team lead in scoring and confirmed his status as one of the most promising players in his age group.

Command combined speed and physical strength with a powerful shot, making him a constant offensive threat. His ability to read the play and create opportunities for both himself and his linemates was crucial in several key games, particularly in the victory over the United States where he contributed to two goals. He impressed with his maturity and defensive responsibility, showing a complete, two-way game. Overall, the Ulricehamn tournament marked a clear breakthrough for Command on the international stage. - Åhlund

Wiggo Sörensson

Sörensson was my most anticipated prospect to watch at Ulricehamn given the fact that he’s almost exclusively faced 4th-tier Swedish pro competition since the 2024-2025 season. He was tasked with centering the 2nd line of one of the strongest Swedish u18 groups in a long time and he knocked it out of the park. He was routinely the fastest player on the ice and leveraged that high-end skating to make an impact all over the ice. I felt he outshined highly-toute linemates Elton Hermansson and Max Isaksson. The real travesty is that he’s returning to Boro/Vetlanda after the tournament and not a top flight Swedish hockey program, so getting a proper read on his NHL potential is still tricky. One can only hope he’ll be loaned to a HockeyAllsvenkan team in the new year to boost his draft stock. - Robbins

Axel Elofsson

Axel Elofsson delivered one of the most intriguing blue-line performances for Sweden in his hometown of Ulricehamn. The right-shooting defenseman produced 5 assists in 4 games, showing a consistent ability to drive play and create offense from the back end. His +7 rating further reflects his reliability and impact at both ends of the ice. It’s no secret that I'm a fan of Elofsson’s game as I had him as one of my early seasons favorites. He regularly used subtle feints, weight shifts and shot fakes to open passing lanes, often drawing pressure before slipping pucks into dangerous areas. With strong edge control and confidence under pressure, he acted as a primary puck-mover in transition, initiating controlled exits and leading several clean entries. Defensively, he played with good stick detail and anticipation, though he still benefits more from positioning and timing than physical strength. His frame and style may raise questions about translation to smaller rinks, but the offensive instincts are undeniable. - Åhlund

Marcus Nordmark

As always, Marcus Nordmark puts on the yellow jersey and gets it done. It was a vintage performance. High-end skill with the puck, a wicked shot, elusive cuts to open ice, and points galore. Lights out on the PP. I really admire his ability to send defenders into a tizzy with his off puck movement. It was also a vintage performance in the sense that he didn’t give close to 100% away from the puck, at least not every shift. All in all, it was a great performance from one of the best forward prospects available in the region, but I don’t feel like any of my concerns over his compete level went away. Maybe the relatively lower level of talent bored him, but I wish he’d give a complete effort from start to finish. Still a 1st round calibre talent in my books. - Robbins

2026 NHL Draft: McKeen’s Early Season Favourites – SWEDEN – Ivar Stenberg, Elton Hermansson, Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, Viggo Björck, Nils Bartholdsson, Axel Elofsson, Malte Gustafsson

Felix Robbins, Simon Johansson, Viktor Åhlund — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:47:04 +0000

Frölundas Ivar Stenberg
Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN /

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 SWEDEN

Felix Robbins - Regional Swedish Scout

Ivar Stenberg
Left Wing - Frölunda HC (SHL)

6-foot-0, 181 pounds, Shoots: L

Without a doubt, Stenberg enters the season as one of the most highly anticipated Swedish prospects of his generation and a consensus lottery pick for the 2026 NHL draft. In spite of that pressure on his shoulders and sheltered minutes, Stenberg has delivered a knockout performance so far this season tallying 2 goals and 7 assists in just 11 SHL games. He’s only playing 13-15 minutes per game, but Frölunda has been consistent in their belief that slow and steady wins the development race. At some point, with his level of play, Stenberg will force their hand.

Stenberg is one of the most purely skilled players in this draft class, behind only Gavin McKenna. His puck handling and hockey IQ make him a constant playmaking threat in the offensive zone. He is patient and deceptive with the puck on his stick and rarely wastes his puck touches. His vision and timing are elite and his passing ideas are so darn smart. His small area skill helps him protect pucks along the wall and even let him make plays to the slot from that position. His shot is a laser as well. The offensive package is a dream. What’s more is his approach to creating offence is so process oriented and consistent that there’s no fear of his scoring not translating.

Stenberg’s ability to play through contact and his strong body positioning puts to rest any concerns of him being “soft”. His work rate on the forecheck and away from the puck is perfectly adequate. He may be a stick-first defender rather than take the body, but that stick is accurate and well-timed. His board play and physical resilience is getting better with every game and should not be any cause for concern in the future. He needs to fill out, of course, but what teenager doesn’t?

A fair criticism of Stenberg is that he doesn’t currently have the footspeed of a truly elite offensive winger. His skating is fine in general, but he lacks escape speed and relies on quick passes to connect plays in transition rather than carrying it himself. He’s surviving fine in the SHL, but he’ll need to add some quickness and explosiveness to his step to reach his ceiling in the NHL. Another thing is that he’s got a very early birthday so his development runway is a little shorter. However, that’s a moot point for a player as advanced as Stenberg. He is already a high-level player in the SHL scoring at a record-breaking pace and could be a top line offensive winger in the NHL.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-Stenberg-lovely-pass-tons-of-space-for-intended-target-1.mp4

A beautiful cross-ice pass by Stenberg (#41 Red) to a trailing teammate with a world of space in front of him. Stenberg’s deception from his hip pocket has the whole opposing team turned towards him thinking he’ll shoot, only for him to pass it at the last second.

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Stenberg (#41) gets hit with a great pass and makes no mistake. Quick release and pinpoint accuracy.

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Stenberg (#41 Red) goes to the net and gets rewarded. He just barely outmuscles the defender and gets enough space to tuck home a great feed on the doorstep. Who says he doesn’t compete?

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Stenberg (#41 White) isn’t really known for his defensive contribution or coast to coast puck carries, but here we see him make a terrific play down low in his own end and skate the puck all the way to the offensive zone. A straight-line approach, sure, and he runs out of room, but encouraging to see him make attempts.

Elton Hermansson

Right Wing – MoDo (HockeyAllsvenskan)

6-foot-1, 181 pounds, Shoots: R

Hermansson put on a show at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, scoring 11 points in 5 games and looking otherworldly while doing so. He has been a dazzling offensive talent on most scouts’ radars since he was a 14-year-old. He’s consistently played at level well above his age group and put up tons of points while doing so. Despite raising some eyebrows, his offseason move from Orebro to hometown club MoDo falls in line with this pattern. He’s already made his HockeyAllsvenskan debut and put up five points in six games in limited minutes, but he should be getting every opportunity to earn a more prominent role as the season goes on.

If you want creativity and flash, then look no further. There is no greater magician with the puck than Hermansson when he’s on. He can dangle guys out of their jock one on one and freeze the goalie. He can pick apart defensive structures with ease with his tactical passing and deceptive handles. He can pick his spots and absolutely rifle the puck home. He even goes to the net. Sometimes he can try to do too much himself, but Hermansson is the guy you want to get the puck to in the offensive zone because he’ll make plays happen and create offense like it’s nothing. The ceiling is sky high. One could argue lottery pick territory. However, Hermansson comes with some risk.

The catch is that he isn’t the most well-rounded or the most defensively responsible player. Winning the puck back from his team is a work in progress. He’s smart, he can throw his weight around, and he can chip in defensively when he wants to. He just has that Nylander-esque streak of passiveness and low energy away from the puck that can really frustrate.

Playing against men in the HockeyAllsvenskan has taught him some hard lessons about what sort of compete level you need bring (and bring consistently) to be successful at the pro level. He has applied himself much more on the forecheck than he has at the U20 level. The hope is that he’ll mature as he gets more reps. I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far but work rate away from the puck is going to be something to keep an eye on.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-Hermansson-bamboozling-USA-defenders-1.mp4

Hermansson (17 Yellow) completely bamboozling three USA defenders and almost scoring. Love the skill-speed combo here.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Hermansson-Snipe-in-the-pros-1.mp4

Beautiful snipe by Hermansson (17 Red). Below the glove and above the pad, the spot most modern snipers can hit consistently.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-Hermansson-frustrating-lack-of-drive-and-two-way-game-commitment-1.mp4

A frustrating sequence to watch, even if you could argue that play wasn’t close enough to Hermansson (67 white) to be his responsibility. It’s more the body language. He looks completely disengaged. All too common, based on my viewings.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Hermansson-another-nice-defensive-play-1.mp4

Hermansson (#71 White) chipping in defensively, taking the puck carrier to the boards and tying up his stick for an easy looking takeaway. Even if it doesn’t look like he’s working that hard, I’ll take more of this please!

Jonas Lagerberg Hoen

Right Wing – Leksands IF U20

6-foot-2, 176 pounds, Shoots: R

Lagerberg Hoen shot the lights out in his draft minus one season, tallying 27 goals and just 3 assists at the U20 level. That made for a very interesting profile heading into his draft season. Is he a one-tricky pony or did he just have weird luck? After a white-hot start to his draft year (9 goals, 16 points in 9 games), it turns out it was weird luck. Lagerberg Hoen is a legitimate play driver and goal scorer extraordinaire. He’s playing 22+ minutes a night and the PP runs through him. At the rate he’s going, it won’t be long before he’s playing some minutes in the SHL.

Like the other two players mentioned in this article, he’s an on-puck dominant winger with high-end offensive tools. What sets him apart from the other two is his impressive skill-speed combo. He’s one of the quickest and most explosive skaters in the region from the 2026 draft class. Naturally, that makes him a strong puck carrier. He reads the ice at a high level which lets him make well timed cuts to open ice for high danger shots. It also lets him push the defenders back on their heels away from the puck in transition, making him a lethal rush attacker.

His shot is among the best in the region as well. It’s a laser that he can locate at will. He can lift the puck in tight. He can put it right over the goalie’s shoulders from the hash marks. The puck is on and off his stick in an instant off the pass. The quality of his shot isn’t the only reason he’s scoring goals, though. Lagerberg Hoen can drives the net and deke the goalie thanks to his quick hands. His control from his edges and strong puck handling ability opens up a ton of space for him. He could stand to use his teammates more, but there’s so much to like about his offensive toolkit. It screams top 6 potential.

The drawbacks are similar to the other prospects mentioned earlier. Lagerberg Hoen doesn’t give you much off puck, at least not consistently. His overall work rate and energy is fine, but he doesn’t take those extra few steps on the forecheck or backcheck to really get on guys and make their life difficult. Nor does he apply his frame all that well in puck battles. He throws his body around and gets his stick in lanes defensively, but he can also be undisciplined. Maturity, both physically and mentally, must happen. However, he’s still an incredibly fun watch and I’m optimistic about his NHL future.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-Lagerberg-Hoen-using-his-speed-to-beat-the-d-outside-and-drives-the-net-goal-1.mp4

Some impressive speed and hands on display here from Lagerberg Hoen (#9 white), going end to end for this rush goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Lagerberg-Hoen-hes-scores-goals-1.mp4

Lagerberg Hoen (#9 blue) doing it all himself. Starting to understand how he scored so many goals and so few assists.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-Lagerberg-Hoen-Probably-the-most-effort-I-have-seen-on-the-forecheck-from-him-1.mp4

This is probably the best effort I have seen from Lagerberg Hoen (#9 White) on the forecheck so far this season. Despite his light weight, it’s evident he has some jam to him. He’s got to figure out a way to apply himself like this consistently.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Lagerberg-Hoen-Undisciplined-in-the-offensive-zone-1.mp4

Some of that lack of discipline mentioned earlier. A very needless penalty by Lagerberg Hoen (#9 White) as he commits a stick infraction in the offensive zone killing the play instantly. Typically, his hockey IQ is pretty good, but this was a lowlight.

Simon Johansson - European Video Scout

Viggo Björck

Center / Right wing - Djurgårdens IF

5-foot-10, 172 pounds

The hockey world has been talking about Viggo Björck for quite some time. His last season did not disappoint either, breaking the scoring record at the U20s in Sweden. Viggo is a dynamic offensive forward that possesses one of the greatest hockey IQs of his age group. However, by starting the season off with the newly qualified team to the SHL, Djurgårdens IF, Viggo has displayed other traits that might surprise you if you’ve watched him only from last year.

Viggo has mainly been playing bottom six minutes and his linemates are more of the type of grinders and two-way forwards. Not exactly the perfect environment for a high-end scorer. But Viggo has displayed great off-puck play and has surprisingly adapted himself to being a two-way, energy winger. Being able to adapt to a new role this quickly while simultaneously playing against one of the best men’s leagues in the world just shows you how high of a hockey IQ Viggo possesses. He’s shown great compete, forechecking frenetically, winning puck battles behind the net, and even shown some physicality by throwing his weight around.

Some other traits that have stood out are his skating ability and transition play. Viggo’s got good edgework, being able to make sharp turns and maintain good pressure in his forecheck following the puck carrier. Even though he has pretty good acceleration and top end speed, he has issues at times creating separation speed. Improving his lower body strength should be a priority for him in the coming future. In transition he has been impactful in limited ice time. With his speed it’s difficult to contain him coming through the neutral zone and he has been creating plenty of rush chances this way.

You definitely don’t want Viggo playing 4th line minutes all season long. If you play someone as a fourth liner, you will get a fourth liner. Viggo’s potential has always been suited for a top nine role, where his two-way game can affect play the most. However, playing against men was probably the wisest decision for this season. He has already proven that he can handle the physicality and if he can continue to show well in that department, he’ll remove a lot of doubt from scouts.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-Viggo-Bjork-Skating1-1.mp4

#61 in the clip

Despite needing to work on his lower core strength, he displays good acceleration and decent top end speed to create a chance on his own.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Viggo-Bjork-Character2-1.mp4

#61 in the clip

Here Viggo shows great compete and frenetic forechecking to eventually win the puck battle and get the puck to the slot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-Viggo-Bjork-Physicality1-1.mp4

#61 in the clip

Viggo lacks size and it’s going to be a main concern when drafting him, but at least he’s willing to use his body to win pucks like in this clip.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Viggo-Bjork-Playdrive1-1.mp4

#61 in the clip

He starts the rush chance by creating speed through the neutral zone, makes a superb pass across the ice by scanning the ice beforehand, which eventually ends up as a goal for Djurgården.

Viktor Åhlund - Swedish Regional Scout

Nils Bartholdsson

Forward - Rögle U20

5-foot-10, 174 pounds

Nils Bartholdsson is a Swedish forward recognized as one of the more promising players from Sweden’s 2008-born class. After watching Bartholdsson live for more than 20 games last season combined with a strong start to 25/26 he earned a spot on my top 3 list of early season favorites.

Bartholdsson has consistently demonstrated strong offensive instincts and possesses the ability for stepping up in decisive moments. His offensive production at the junior level reflects both his scoring touch and his ability to create plays for his teammates.

Bartholdsson’s most notable attributes lie in his hockey sense and composure under pressure. He reads the game well, anticipating both puck movement and defensive gaps. His wrist shot is quick and accurate, allowing him to finish plays from the slot or off the rush. His lethal release has resulted in 6 goals in 9 games so far this season and is Rögle's most efficient weapon on the power play with his one-timer. While not an overly flashy stickhandler, he is effective at maintaining puck control through tight spaces and uses small and smart adjustments to protect possession.

Skating is an area where Bartholdsson shows good potential. His stride is efficient and balanced, though he still has room to add explosiveness in his first few steps. He is still filling out physically and is not among the larger players in this year’s draft group, but he competes hard and isn’t afraid to engage along the boards or in front of the net. He brings a high level of energy every game and has a sharp edge to his game that is difficult to teach. His compete level has been on display since last season and remains strong this season, a key attribute that NHL scouts will highly value.

Defensively Bartholdsson shows responsibility and an understanding of positioning, but consistency remains a work in progress. Continued development in this area will make him a more complete two-way forward.

Overall, Bartholdsson is a skilled and intelligent winger with scoring upside. After watching him live for 20+ games I am confident to say that If he continues to refine his skating and physical game, he could evolve into a top-six forward at the professional level, capable of contributing offensively while maintaining reliable two-way habits. It's just a matter of time before we will witness Bartholdsson making his SHL debut with Rögle BK’s pro team.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-nils_bartholdsson_-_assist4-1.mp4

Bartholdsson weaves through traffic with impressive control, showcasing his agility

and fine stickhandling before setting up his teammate, who buries the puck past

the goalkeeper. An exceptional play from Bartholdsson.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-nils_bartholdsson_-_Onetimer-1.mp4

It would be unfair to label Bartholdsson as Rögle’s most effective power play

weapon, known for his devastating one-timer, without providing evidence,

so here’s the play that says it all.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-nils_bartholdsson_-_Defensivework-1.mp4

This sequence highlights Bartholdsson’s defensive awareness and work ethic.

After a turnover on the rush, he shows great determination by skating back, using his body to close off a passing lane, and effectively tying up his opponent’s stick to support his goaltender in making an easy save.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-nils_bartholdsson_-_competetoscore-1.mp4

Bartholdsson shows his determination to score and compete. He fires a shot, battles for the loose puck in front of the net, and when it goes to the boards, he keeps fighting to win it back, allowing Rögle to maintain possession and stay on the attack.

Axel Elofsson

Defense - Örebro HK

5-foot-10, 163 pounds

Axel Elofsson is one of the top defensive prospects emerging from Örebro HK.

Born in 2008, the 17-year-old blueliner has already made a name for himself in the U20 series last season with 32 points in 38 games followed up with a strong Hlinka Gretzky tournament this August.

His combination of poise, skating ability, and offensive awareness sets him apart among Swedish defenders in his age group. Elofsson’s game is built around calm decision making and technical skill. He moves the puck efficiently, rarely panicking under pressure, and prefers to find controlled exits or short passes over dumping the puck away.

Elofsson's skating is fluid and balanced, allowing him to join the rush with confidence and still recover defensively. His mobility also makes him effective in transition, both carrying the puck up ice and defending against counterattacks. Offensively, he’s already shown strong production from the blue line this season, 15 points in 9 games so far is highlighting his vision and playmaking skills. Elofsson possesses the ability to quarterback the power play and has been doing so through all my viewings so far this season.

Defensively Elofsson is learning to adjust to the faster pace and physicality of bigger and stronger opponents. While his reads are generally sound, maintaining positioning and managing risk when jumping into plays will be key areas of growth. Like many players his age, he’s still maturing physically and does not have the size of other top prospect defensemen like Malte Gustafsson or William Håkansson. Added strength will help him handle board battles and sustain intensity throughout a full season.

Elofsson's opening of this season has been up to expectations and he has the tools to become a modern two-way defenseman at pro level If he continues to refine his defensive consistency and build on his natural puck sense.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-axel_elofsson_-_Pucktransport-1.mp4

Elofsson showcases his smooth skating and slick puckhandling, carrying the puck from his own end through traffic and nearly finishing off what would’ve been a highlight-reel goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-axel_elofsson_-Hittomakeaplay-1.mp4

Elofsson absorbs a hit to make a play in his own end, then supports his team through the neutral zone. After briefly losing the puck, he quickly recovers by cutting off the passing lane, regains control, and calmly carries it back into the defensive zone. With poise, he waits for his teammates to skate to open space before delivering a perfect cross-ice pass.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-axel_elofsson_-_3rd_positioninggoal-1.mp4

A great sequence from Elofsson, who actively joins the offensive play.

He leaves his position at the blue line to drive toward the net, then quickly recovers his position, staying available as a passing option. When Örebro re-enters the offensive zone, the puck finds Elofsson, and he delivers a calculated wrist shot through traffic that finds the back of the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-axel_elofsson_-_Defensivework-1.mp4

Excellent defensive work from Elofsson, who steals the puck and shakes off his opponent with impressive edgework and mobility before making a clean breakout pass. As play transitions forward and his team loses possession, Elofsson reads the situation perfectly, regains puck control in the neutral zone, and follows up with one of his signature cross-ice passes.

Malte Gustafsson

Defense - HV71

6-foot-4, 198 pounds

Malte Gustafsson is a prospect raised in Tingsryds AIF, a small society in Småland, Sweden with a strong hockey culture. He’s one of the top defencemen coming out of Sweden this draft year. As a young player joining the HV71 team, he has displayed an uncommon blend of composure, mobility and offensive ambition for a player his age, something that I already took notice of last season. Despite still developing physically, he frequently shows up in key positions and contributes to his team’s play by joining the rush, making good decisions with the puck, and reading the game effectively, and last but not least, a solid puck carrier in break outs.

What stands out about Gustafsson is his willingness to take calculated risks. He’s not content to simply defend and clear pucks, instead he pushes the pace, looks to move the puck up ice, and is prepared to jump into the attack when the opportunity arises. His offensive numbers reflect that, opening this season with seven points in nine games in the U20 National, that shows that he’s not simply keeping things safe and simple, but also contributing offensively. Gustafsson possesses a good wrist shot and uses it effectively, taking calculated shots from the blue line, often through traffic.

On the defensive side, he shows maturity beyond his age which makes him an asset for any team and someone who can do almost everything on the ice for a player in his category, contributing both in power play and boxplay. He reads situations well, uses his stick and positioning rather than relying solely on physical power even though he has the size to do so. In my opinion, Gustafsson’s the most defensively skilled defenceman coming out of Sweden in this year’s draft class

Moving forward, Gustafsson’s path is still open and filled with possibility. For him the development focus will likely include gaining strength, sharpening his one-on-one defending against faster forwards, and continuing to refine his decision making under pressure. If he keeps progressing, he could become a reliable two-way defenceman at the pro level. Gustafsson is a young blueliner to keep an eye on this season, solid in his defending, productive in offence, and with those traits he’s the kind of player that clubs look for when building for the future.I'm confident that Gustafsson will soon make his debut in the SHL where we will see how his game translates into the pro level stage.

VIDEO

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-malte_gustafsson_-Goal-1.mp4

Gustafsson demonstrates his effectiveness and shooting ability on the power play. He controls the puck at the blue line, moves laterally to create space, then steps into an opening and releases a precise wrist shot that finds the back of the net.

This is just one of several power plays where he executes the exact same sequence with the same level of precision.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-malte_gustafsson_-defending-1.mp4

Gustafsson displays strong defensive awareness and composure, maintaining control of the play by adjusting his speed, steering his opponent wide, and using body to recover the puck.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-malte_gustafsson_-Defendinghit-1.mp4

Another strong defensive play from Gustafsson, who reads the situation well and adjusts his pace to steer his opponent toward the boards before delivering a clean, well-timed body check, a perfect example of how effectively he uses his size.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-malte_gustafsson_-_1st_Dzone-1.mp4

Battling for the puck in the defensive zone, Gustafsson finds himself surrounded by opponents but remains composed. He fakes one way, makes a smooth turn to evade pressure, and delivers a simple, smart pass, showcasing impressive maturity and poise for his age.

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.

Axel Elofsson – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

2026 NHL DRAFT: 2026 World Junior A Challenge Review – Standout Performances

Alexander Command - Center - Sweden (2026)

Peter Legostaev - Wing/Center - Canada East (2026)

Ashton Schultz - Center - USA (Buffalo Sabres)

Nils Bartholdsson - Wing - Sweden (2026)

Evan Jardine - Wing - USA (2026)

Brent Solomon - Wing - USA (Detroit Red Wings)

Blake Zielenski - Center/Wing - USA (2026)

Axel Elofsson - Defense - Sweden (2026)

Jake Prunty - Defense - USA (2027)

Adam Andersson - Center - Sweden (2026)

Kale Osipenko - Goaltender - Canada East (2027)

Maksim Corovic - Goaltender - Canada East (2026)

Caleb Heil - Goaltender - USA (Tampa Bay Lightning)

2026 NHL DRAFT: U18 5 NATIONS TOURNAMENT – Top Five European Standouts

Marcus Nordmark, Wing, Sweden

Alexander Command, Center, Sweden

Axel Elofsson, Defense, Sweden

Filip Novak, Wing/Center, Czechia

Viljo Kähkönen, Wing, Finland

2026 NHL DRAFT: U18 5 NATIONS TOURNAMENT – Standout Performances in Ulricehamn, Sweden, November 2025

SWITZERLAND

Fabrice Bouvard

CZECHIA

Filip Novák

FINLAND

Max Laatikainen

Eelis Uronen

USA

Casey Mutryn

Wyatt Cullen​

Nick Bogas

Mikey Berchild

SWEDEN

Alexander Command

Wiggo Sörensson

Axel Elofsson

Marcus Nordmark

2026 NHL Draft: McKeen’s Early Season Favourites – SWEDEN – Ivar Stenberg, Elton Hermansson, Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, Viggo Björck, Nils Bartholdsson, Axel Elofsson, Malte Gustafsson

Felix Robbins - Regional Swedish Scout

Ivar Stenberg Left Wing - Frölunda HC (SHL)

6-foot-0, 181 pounds, Shoots: L

VIDEO

Elton Hermansson

Right Wing – MoDo (HockeyAllsvenskan)

6-foot-1, 181 pounds, Shoots: R

VIDEO

Jonas Lagerberg Hoen

Right Wing – Leksands IF U20

6-foot-2, 176 pounds, Shoots: R

VIDEO

Simon Johansson - European Video Scout

Viggo Björck

Center / Right wing - Djurgårdens IF

5-foot-10, 172 pounds

VIDEO

Viktor Åhlund - Swedish Regional Scout

Nils Bartholdsson

Forward - Rögle U20

5-foot-10, 174 pounds

VIDEO

Axel Elofsson

Defense - Örebro HK

5-foot-10, 163 pounds

VIDEO

Malte Gustafsson

Defense - HV71

6-foot-4, 198 pounds

VIDEO

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

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

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

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

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

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

GROUP B

United States

Wyatt Cullen

Ivar Stenberg
Left Wing - Frölunda HC (SHL)