Juho Piiparinen – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

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

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

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

Canada

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

Players to Watch

Keaton Verhoeff (2026)

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

Ryan Lin (2026)

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

Tynan Lawrence (2026)

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

Mathis Preston (2026)

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

Dima Zhilkin (2027)

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

Alexis Joseph (2027)

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

Adam Valentini (2026)

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

Maddox Dagenais (2026)

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

Ryder Cali (2026)

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

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

Slovakia

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

Adam Goljer (2026)

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

Lucian Bernat (2026)

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

Jakub Floris (2026)

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

Oliver Ozogany (2027)

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

Timothy Kazda (2027)

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

Samuel Hrenak (2026)

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

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

Finland

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

Players to Watch

Oliver Suvanto (2026)

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

Juho Piiparinen (2026)

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

Samu Alalauri (2026)

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

Vilho Vanhatalo (2026)

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

Noel Pakarinen (2026)

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

Paavo Fugleberg (2028)

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

Luca Santala (2027)

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

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

Latvia

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

Players to Watch

Olivers Murnieks (2026)

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

Patriks Plumins (2026)

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

Martins Klaucans (2026)

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

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

Norway

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

Players to Watch

Niklas Aaram-Olsen (2026)

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

Philip Tollefsen (2028)

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

William Backlund (2028)

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

Benjamin Ask Haglund (2027)

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

Casper Kjølmoen (2026)

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

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

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

Caleb Malhotra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Caleb Malhotra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2026 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Daily Recap- December 28th, 2025- Game Summaries – Standout Performances – Notable Draft Eligible Prospects

Kyle Pereira and Linc Zdancewicz — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:31:46 +0000

A lighter Day 3 schedule featured a powerhouse Swedish team taking on a tough out in Switzerland, while Finland took on Latvia in the late afternoon game.

SWEDEN v SWITZERLAND

Early, Switzerland gave Sweden some issues with their forecheck pressure and even got one dangerous look that rang off the post. But Sweden would strike first, as Leo Sahlin Wallenius made an excellent entry, then set up Eric Nilsson driving the net hard. The Swiss would go on to kill off two penalties with a very aggressive kill, before Beni Waidacher snuck a shot past Love Harenstam. While Leon Muggli and Daniil Ustinkov got the assists, the play was started Nathan Borradori, who forced a turnover along the wall, then came screaming down towards the net and getting an excellent look. The rebound eventually worked its way to Waidacher’s goal. The second period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams getting power plays and both goalies standing tall when called upon. But before the period could end, Lars Steiner would fire a beautiful shot that was so well placed, play continued, thinking it went off the crossbar. The third period, however, the Swedes would find their groove. The youngster Viggo Bjorck would tie the game, with Alfons Freij and Anton Lundell grabbing the helpers less than a minute in. A few minutes later, they would take the lead off a goal from Lucas Pettersson. The Swiss pulled their goalie, and shortly after, Sweden would capitalize. Pettersson would snag his second of the game, with Ivar Stenberg getting the assist.

MVPs

Sweden: Anton Frondell, Lucas Pettersson, Linus Eriksson

Switzerland: Elijah Neuenschwander, Lars Steiner, Leon Muggli

FINLAND V LATVIA

Latvia came out much flatter today against Finland when Emil Hemming scored his first goal on the first shot of the day. Overall, the Finns controlled the Latvians very well from that point, generating excellent chance after chance 5v5 but not breaking through on the power play. They would tally two more goals on Mikus Vecvanags on goals from Jasper Kuhta and Max Westergard. Kuhta’s goal was one to forget for the Montreal drafted net-minder as he knocked the puck into his own net with the heel of his goal stick. The Finns would start the second period by finally breaking through on their third power play of the day on Emil Hemming’s second goal of the day. That offensive domination continued throughout the entire rest of the second, including a Joona Saarelainen goal that put the Finns up by five. The Finnish offensize zone cycle was absolutely deadly as they continued to skate literal circles around the Latvians in their own end, with a 15-1 shot advantage in the second alone. The dominance continued into the third as the Finns just continued to skate around every Latvian not named Alberts Smits. Roope Vesterainen, Heikki Ruohonen, and Lasse Boelius put up three more even strength goals early on as they just kept the foot fully on the pedal until the very end.

MVP’s

Finland: Emil Hemming, Niklas Nykyri, the entire defense legitimately.

Latvia: Alberts Smits, Bruno Osmanis, Roberts Naudins

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

EMIL HEMMING (FIN) 2G

The Dallas Stars’ 2024 first rounder made his mark today for the Finns, giving them momentum on his very first shot. He found space under the legs of the Latvian netminder and picked him in style. Hemming’s impact on the game continued from there on out as he created chance after chance with his stick and his skating. His danger level jumped to deadly when on the power play getting several high-velocity shots off before finally finding space in the five hole once again on a high-powered clapper. The Finn has been under-utilizing his shot for the OHL’s Barrie Colts, tallying only 8 in the first half but he made the most of it today. Hemming’s offensive game has rounded out very well and he’ll continue to show it every time he gets the opportunity to this tournament. The real test will see how dangerous his shot can be against the bigger teams in this group, Canada and Czechia.

LINUS ERIKSSON (SWE)

Despite not recording any points, the Florida Panthers’ 2024 second round draft choice was one of the most noticeable players on the ice for the Swedes in what was initially a frustrating game. He was driving hard on forechecks, winning battles along the boards, and doing all of the little things so very well. Him and Milton Gastrin worked together in tight checking situations to extend offensive possessions and be a pain to the sides of Swiss defenders all game long. While things like that won’t show up on the score sheet, there was no doubt Eriksson made his presence felt when he was out on the ice.

DRAFT ELIGIBLES

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 27: Latvia's Alberts Smits #23 skates against Canada in the first period during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at 3M Arena at Mariucci on December 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

ALBERTS SMITS (LAT) 0 points

The only bright side in the 8-0 drubbing the Latvians was the 18-year-old left defenseman, Alberts Smits. In a game where almost every skater on the Latvian roster was tired from the gauntlet of Canada from the day prior, Smits was unphased, going about his regular business defending the rush and being the only player to contribute to the counterattack. Smits’ frame combined with his speed and energy is a deadly force on defence, quelling the Finnish attack every second he was on the ice, finishing the day as one of the only Latvians registering a zero for his plus/minus, through two periods, and finishing the day with a -2 with over 22 minutes played. With three minutes left to go in the game, he was deep in the offensive zone, forechecking hard, trying desperately to create something, anything for Latvia to save some pride during this beating. That effort did not go unnoticed by anyone still left in the arena that late and certainly won’t go unnoticed when it’s draft day.

JUHO PIIPARINEN (FIN) 1A

On a day where Finland did very, very little wrong, Piiparinen was still a big stand-out on the day. Outside of this tournament, he is praised for his play in all three zones, but being more known as a conservative, defensively responsible kid. But against a weaker Latvian team, Piiparinen was moving the puck incredibly well through the neutral zone and the offensive zones. His confidence on the puck in the offensive end was something he put on full display against Latvia and made him an easy draft-eligible standout.

Interview with Juho Piiparinen

McKeens: How has your transition to Liiga helped grow your game and what have you learned playing with the older guys there in Finland?

JP: The compete level is up, really helps to develop my game every day. They’re bigger, faster guys, so I think it’s good that I’m there because it gives me a good challenge.

McKeens: On your game, when you’re looking to move the puck up ice and transition to offense, what is it that goes through your head? What is it that you are looking for out there?

JP: I’m just checking for where the forwards are looking to press me and where our own guys are going, where’s my D partner, the other forwards? Do I have space to skate in or do I just give an easy pass?

McKeens: When facing the rush and the opposition is skating down your side, what is it you look for and how do you prevent an entry?

JP: I’m just counting their men, where they are going. Am I in the right position? Where are my own guys, where is my D partner? Can I pinch or not? Those kinds of things.

McKeens: Back in the defensive zone, what is your focus to prevent scoring chances against?

JP: I’m just trying to stay close to my guy, box him out, or if he’s got the puck in the corner, I’d try to win the puck back and battle hard.

McKeens: You and Suvanto are both draft-eligible guys. What’s it like having him on the ice out there with you?

JP: Yeah, it’s helping. We are roommates, he’s a good friend of mine. He’s playing Tappara also. It’s great having a guy that’s the same age as me. It’s giving me, kind of, a great feeling to have him be there. Gives me confidence.

McKeens: This tournament is typically dominated by older players here, but for you as a young player, what can you learn from the older guys on the team here?

JP: Of course, you have to learn everything. They give you advice to defend, be yourself and the biggest tip from what I have gotten, they’re saying to just is enjoy it, play your style.

McKeens: Last question, it’s great to have a group that’s really close with each other, great friends. Can you take me through some of the guys behind the scenes who are funny and fun to be around? Good trash talkers or funny stories in the room?

JP: That’s a tough question. I think Suvanto is a pretty good trash talker on the ice. I think Kiviharju is good at pumping up the guys as the captain. Some guys, Leo Tuuva and Niklas Nykyri, they have fun stories in the locker room, and lots of them.

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

Jeremy Rivet and Arttu Myllymäki — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:07:25 +0000

Finland heads into the 2026 World Junior Championship in the United States as a fascinating dark horse; never the loudest roster, but always a problem when the stakes rise. Over the past decade, the Finns have won multiple medals and a handful of golds by leaning on structure, responsibility, and elite goaltending rather than headline talent. Even in years when their lineup has looked thin on paper, Finland has repeatedly knocked out bigger hockey countries by playing disciplined, tactical hockey and trusting team chemistry and the system.

This year, however, the team has absorbed a significant early blow: the Buffalo Sabres declined to release Konsta Helenius for the tournament. His absence is a major disappointment for Finland and one of the biggest losses in the tournament, as Helenius could have been among the best players in the entire event, and certainly Finland’s most important skater.

Expectations still fall somewhere between cautious and optimistic. Finland has earned enough recent success to make a semifinal push feel realistic, but the margin for error is small. They are known for producing smart defensemen and mature two-way forwards, yet there are always questions about whether they can generate enough offense to win high-scoring games against the United States, Canada, or Sweden.

The traditional Finnish strengths remain unchanged: a trustworthy defensive foundation, strong special teams, and a commitment to team defense from the top line down. Their neutral-zone structure can frustrate skilled opponents, and when they get a lead, they are one of the hardest teams in the world to break down.

The weakness, as usual, lies in finishing ability. Finland can rarely bring a lineup filled with future NHL stars, and they often rely on team scoring. For them, timely goals matter more than volume.

Still, the identity travels well. A confident goaltender, a blue line that moves the puck efficiently, and disciplined forward group give Finland an outside, but very real chance at another medal. Nobody circles Finland as a tournament favorite, yet they always seem to appear when the medals are handed out.

Key Players to Watch

Goaltender Petteri Rimpinen of Finland during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Canada on December 26, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Petteri Rimpinen – Goaltender (Los Angeles Kings)

Petteri Rimpinen enters the 2026 World Junior Championship as arguably Finland’s most critical player, and once again the starting goaltender. After a breakout 2024–25 season in the Finnish Liiga with Kiekko-Espoo, where he posted strong numbers as an 18-year-old rookie, Rimpinen announced himself internationally at last year’s World Juniors by backstopping Finland to a silver medal. He led all netminders in saves and finished with a stellar save percentage, earning Best Goaltender honors and a place on the tournament all-star team.

Rimpinen’s game is built around elite poise, quick reflexes, and strong positioning, traits that help compensate for his relatively modest 6-foot frame by modern goaltending standards. Scouts praise his calm under pressure and ability to make key saves in high-leverage moments, qualities that will be vital for Finland’s medal hopes in a deep and competitive tournament.

With Finland’s roster lacking overwhelming star power up front, Rimpinen’s performance between the pipes could very well determine how far the team advances. He’ll anchor Finland’s structure with heavy workload minutes, especially in tight, low-scoring games.

231226 Emil Hemming of Finland during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Canada on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN / kod CS / CS0473

Emil Hemming – Forward (Dallas Stars)

Emil Hemming is one of Finland’s most accomplished forwards heading into the 2026 World Junior Championship and brings a proven mix of scoring, playmaking, and two-way responsibility to the lineup. The 19-year-old right winger was selected 29th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2024 NHL Draft, becoming a first-round pick on the strength of his size, shot quality, and hockey IQ.

This season, Hemming has been a key contributor for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League, rejoining the club after a brief stint in the AHL with the Texas Stars and quickly establishing himself among Barrie’s top offensive players with 28 points in his first 17 games early in the 2025–26 season. His ability to produce consistently, even in bunches, and his growing shot volume underscore his offensive upside, whether finishing plays or setting up teammates.

Internationally, Hemming brings valuable experience, having already represented Finland at multiple junior events and contributing at past World Junior Championships. Scouts view him as a versatile forward who blends scoring instincts with a responsible defensive game and strong compete level. While he isn’t strictly a pure sniper, his shot release and vision make him a dangerous threat on the power play or in transition.

For Finland, Hemming is expected to play a top line role and in the first powerplay-unit, generate offense, and help drive possession. His leadership and ability to impact momentum could be key in tight games as the Finns chase another medal.

Aron Kiviharju – Defenseman (Minnesota Wild)

Aron Kiviharju arrives at the 2026 World Junior Championship as one of Finland’s most experienced and dynamic blueliners, bringing both leadership and playmaking instincts to the roster. The 19-year-old was selected 122nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft and has since established himself as a key top four defenseman with HIFK in Finland’s Liiga, where he has logged regular minutes and contributed seven points in 24 games this season.

Kiviharju’s game centers on high hockey IQ, smart puck movement, and transition play. He excels at creating offense from the back end with crisp passes and good vision, traits that have made him a quarterback on the power play and a catalyst in Finland’s breakout game. While not the biggest defenseman on the ice, his skating and decision-making allow him to impact both ends of the rink consistently.

Internationally, Kiviharju brings valuable experience, having captained Finland at junior levels and played a major role during their run to the silver medal at the recent World Juniors 2025, averaging heavy minutes even in tight, high-pressure situations. His leadership and calm presence make him a vital part of Finland’s defensive core and a potential difference-maker in transition and special teams. You can expect him to drive play from the back, manage difficult zone exits in a rush, and help set the tone for Finland’s structured style throughout the tournament.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - JANUARY 2: Julius Miettinen #27 of Finland shoots the puck against Samuel Urban #30 of Slovakia in Quarterfinal Round action at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at TD Place on January 2, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

Julius Miettinen – Wing (Seattle Kraken)

Julius Miettinen enters the 2026 World Junior Championship as one of Finland’s key returning forwards and a player poised to take on a much larger role than he held a year ago. After serving primarily on the bottom-six at the previous tournament alongside Emil Hemming, the 6-foot-4 forward is now expected to be one of Finland’s main offensive drivers, bringing size, structure, and a mature two-way game to the lineup. Drafted 40th overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2024 NHL Draft, Miettinen projects as a pro-style power forward whose impact extends well beyond the scoresheet.

Now in his third WHL season with the Everett Silvertips, Miettinen has taken a clear step forward offensively. He is on pace for his best season in the WHL (projected to close to 100 points) and has been one of Everett’s most productive and reliable players, leading the team in scoring while forming a highly effective Finnish tandem with Matias Vanhanen. His current production reflects steady growth from last season, when he posted 67 points in 66 games, and underscores his increased confidence and responsibility in all situations for a strong Silvertips club.

Miettinen’s game is built on power, positioning, and consistency. He plays a heavy North-American style, wins battles along the boards, and excels at creating traffic and chaos around the net. Offensively, he thrives by skating direct routes, timing his releases into soft areas, and making efficient, intelligent plays rather than attempting high-risk creativity. Defensively, he is positionally sound, supports low in the zone, clears the net front, and reliably regains possession through physical engagement and anticipation.

For Finland, Miettinen is expected to be used in a top six role with power-play responsibility, where his net-front presence, puck protection, and detail-oriented approach can complement more dynamic skill players. His combination of size, competitiveness, and disciplined two-way play gives the coaching staff a dependable option in key moments, particularly in tight, physical games. While he may not be a primary rush driver, Miettinen’s ability to impose structure, wear down opponents, and contribute offense through effort and execution makes him an important piece in Finland’s pursuit of a medal in Minnesota.

Jasper Kuhta – Wing (2026 Draft, second year of eligibility)

After being passed on at the last NHL Draft, Jasper Kuhta transitioned to North America, and he now heads into the 2026 World Junior Championship after having a strong first half of the season with a surprising Ottawa 67s team. He is leaving for the tournament as the second best point producer for the 67s with 30 points in 32 games. Khuta’s game can be defined as a versatile two-way forward who continues to earn trust through detail, positioning, and special-teams reliability. While not always the most noticeable player shift-to-shift, Kuhta has shown an ability to impact games in key moments. His usage on both the power play and penalty kill underlines the coaching staff’s confidence in his awareness and hockey sense.

Offensively, Kuhta is a natural shooter who consistently finds open space in the offensive zone. He owns a quick, accurate release and has proven effective from his one-timer spot on the power play, where his puck distribution and decision-making have also stood out. He has contributed both goals and assists by reading plays well, retrieving pucks on the forecheck, and making timely passes into high-danger areas, including backdoor feeds and shot passes that create rebounds. While he can fade for stretches, his best games have come when his intensity remains consistent, and he asserts himself earlier in shifts.

Away from the puck, Kuhta brings structure and responsibility. He plays a sound two-way game, supports well defensively, and is generally positioned correctly to disrupt plays and extend possession. He may not be punishing physicality, but he does not shy away from contact and is effective on the forecheck through anticipation and stick pressure rather than brute force. His skating has improved, allowing him to keep pace and arrive on time to support plays.

For Finland, Kuhta profiles as a middle-six option who can be deployed in matchup situations, contribute on both special teams, and provide secondary offense. If he maintains a higher baseline of engagement throughout games, his combination of shooting ability, hockey sense, and reliability could make him a valuable complementary piece in Finland’s lineup during the tournament.

Aatos Koivu – Center/Wing (Montreal Canadiens)

Aatos Koivu did not make the team last year, but at the Summer Showcase last summer, he was probably the best player for Finland with an eye-opening performance. Now, he got the chance to show that again as he enters the 2026 World Junior Championship as one of Finland’s most dangerous shooting threats and a power-play weapon. He has struggled with offensive production in the Liiga this year, but Koivu has a polished shooting mechanics, confidence, and ability to produce or generate chances when given time and space, particularly with the man advantage.

Koivu’s offensive game is built around an above average release. He owns one of the most refined one-timers in his age group and complements it with a diverse shooting arsenal that includes curl-and-drag wrist shots and the ability to shoot effectively off either leg. At recent international events, he has been a focal point on Finland’s power play, generating goals and primary assists through shot volume, rebound creation, and quick puck recoveries. His confidence has clearly grown, and with it, his willingness to assert himself offensively.

At five-on-five, Koivu has shown flashes of effectiveness, particularly when used at center, where his puck support, small-area decision-making, and awareness on both sides of the puck become more apparent. He can make smart, subtle plays that keep possession alive and occasionally attack the middle of the ice with the puck. He has also started to show more grit and physical engagement in his game especially on the forecheck which could help Finland to be effective at.

For Finland, Koivu is expected to play a scoring role, likely featuring on one of the power-play units where his shot can be maximized. If he can complement his shooting with more consistent five-on-five impact, he has the potential to be one of Finland’s most productive forwards in Minnesota and a difference-maker in tight, special-teams-driven games.

Other Draft Eligible Players to Watch

Oliver Suvanto – Center (2026)

Oliver Suvanto is the top ranked Finnish player for the 2026 Draft, and he arrives as one of the more intriguing pieces in Finland’s forward group, offering size, intelligence, and a strong foundational two-way game. He was a standout for Finland at the last Hlinka-Gretzky with his six points in six games. Tall and lean, with significant physical upside still to come, Suvanto has already shown he can hold his own against older competition in the Liiga this season, playing with maturity, composure, and a consistent compete level.

Suvanto’s game is rooted in responsibility and effort. Defensively, he is engaged, positionally sound, and reliable on the backcheck, often serving as one of the first forwards back to support his defensemen. He uses his reach and stick effectively to deny passing lanes and disrupt plays, and he is willing to block shots and absorb contact to make the right play. His forechecking is a strength, as he applies pressure with purpose and uses his frame well along the boards to sustain offensive-zone time.

Offensively, Suvanto shows flashes of touch and awareness rather than pure creativity. He protects the puck well, makes precise passes in motion, and displays good instincts in reading when to drive the net or hold his position higher in the zone. His background as a center is evident even when deployed on the wing, particularly in his support habits and understanding of spacing. While his top speed is adequate for his size, improvements in explosiveness and agility will be key to unlocking a higher offensive ceiling.

For Finland, Suvanto projects as a dependable bottom six option who can be trusted late in games and in defensive situations, but there is a possibility to see him move up the lineup as the tournament unfolds. His ceiling will ultimately be defined by how much offense he can add against stronger, faster opponents, but his size, hockey IQ, and already-advanced defensive game give him a clear path to being an effective, reliable contributor at the World Junior level and beyond.

Juho Piiparinen – Defense (2026 Draft)

With a defense group that will have only two players at 6-foot-2 or taller, The 6-foot-3, Juho Piiparinen, will bring size to the Finnish blue line. He also brings structure, strength, and composure to that group. Built like a modern defensive defenseman, Piiparinen plays a relatively simple, pro-style game that emphasizes positioning, puck management, and physical engagement rather than high-end creativity. His ability to handle pace and pressure against older competition has already been evident at the Liiga level with Tappara, reinforcing his projection as a reliable option in a tournament setting.

Defensively, Piiparinen’s game is built on details. He uses his size and reach effectively to close gaps, angle attackers to the outside, and win battles along the boards and in front of the net. His stick work is a clear strength, as he consistently takes away time and space and disrupts plays before they develop. He is willing to block shots, plays with edge in net-front situations, and has shown the awareness to protect leads late in games. While not an explosive skater, he moves really well for his size and has enough mobility to stay within structure and recover when plays extend.

With the puck, the projected first-rounder has shown encouraging poise and decision-making. He is strong on breakouts, delivering crisp, accurate passes in transition and showing patience under pressure rather than defaulting to low-percentage clears. When options are limited, he is comfortable skating the puck out or placing it safely behind the defense to reset play. His shot selection is disciplined, and he has demonstrated the ability to contribute offensively through timely point shots, deceptive puck movement, and occasional activation from the blue line, including power-play usage.

For Finland, Piiparinen projects as a dependable, minutes-eating defender who can be trusted on the penalty kill and in match-up situations against heavier lines. His offensive involvement has grown as his confidence has increased, though continued refinement in choosing when to activate will be important to avoid overextending defensively. Overall, his combination of size, strength, and calm puck management makes him a strong candidate to play a stabilizing role on Finland’s back end during the World Juniors.

2026 NHL DRAFT: PRE-WJC TOP 32 DRAFT RANKINGS

Brock Otten — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:38:40 +0000

KANATA, ONTARIO - JANUARY 2: Canada's Gavin McKenna #9 shoots the puck during warm-up prior to Quarterfinal Round action against Czechia at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at Canadian Tire Centre on January 2, 2025 in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andr Ringuette/IIHF)

It is time for the first ranking of the season for McKeen’s Hockey; this is our preliminary Top 32 with a few honorable mentions.

Gavin McKenna occupies the top spot after a strong start with Penn State. He’s the top scoring freshman in the NCAA, with his creativity and skill translating rather seamlessly to the college level thus far. That said, we’d be lying if we didn’t have concerns over the lack of development in his overall game, in combination with his smaller frame. Does that leave the door open for someone later this season to emerge as a first overall candidate?

The way we see it, the next grouping has a tier of four players, all who could be equally as effective as pros in comparison to McKenna. Keaton Verhoeff has had an equally strong start in the NCAA, producing offensively for North Dakota and playing big minutes on the back end. Ivar Stenberg has been producing at a clip historically similar to other Swedish stars in the SHL. Ethan Belchetz is a potential unicorn with a size and skill package that all NHL teams crave. Lastly Tynan Lawrence is an intelligent and mature two-way center who projects as an NHL captain who can play in any situation. All four are drastically different players, but who have separated themselves from the pack in a second tier close behind McKenna.

Six intriguing defenders are part of the next grouping, all positioning themselves to be in contention to be the second-best defender behind Verhoeff. Xavier Villeneuve, Chase Reid, Daxon Rudolph, and Ryan Lin are all offensive standouts with varying levels of defensive ability. While Albert Smits and Carson Carels are more two-way defenders who project as minute eaters. Smits, in particular, is quickly becoming a staff favourite at McKeen’s. The Latvian defender’s rapid progression into a Liiga (Finland) standout has him rocketing up draft boards.

Another interesting name worth discussing is Oscar Hemming, who has yet to play this season due to a contract dispute with his Finnish club. His transfer to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL was blocked. His signing with the BCHL was voided thanks to IIHF suspension threats. He is now apparently looking at other options like the NCAA as he awaits closure involving his court case in Finland over the dispute. Hemming was outstanding as a power winger at the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky, so it’s a real shame that his development has been halted. Hopefully he can get back on the ice soon. As of now, we felt his upside was too significant to leave off this list despite the unique circumstances.

You can expect our next list after the World Junior Championships, where we will expand our ranking to a Top 64.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	20-Dec-07	14	4	11	15	4
2	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	19-Jun-08	12	4	4	8	4
3	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	30-Sep-07	19	4	11	15	0
4	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	30-Mar-08	21	16	11	27	20
5	Tynan Lawrence	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-0/185	3-Aug-08	2	1	1	2	4
6	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	29-Sep-07	21	5	20	25	25
7	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	30-Dec-07	24	9	18	27	20
8	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	2-Dec-07	21	6	5	11	10
9	Mathis Preston	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/175	21-Jul-08	19	8	9	17	16
10	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Mar-08	20	6	10	16	16
11	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	18-Apr-08	21	3	21	24	14
12	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	12-Mar-08	17	2	4	6	4
13	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	5-Feb-08	10	4	3	7	10
14	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	23-Jun-08	21	5	16	21	18
15	Ryan Roobroeck	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/215	25-Sep-07	20	11	10	21	10
16	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	13-Nov-07	21	11	10	21	4
17	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	3-Sep-08	22	2	3	5	10
18	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	27-Jun-08	22	14	18	32	12
19	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (Swe J20)	6-4/200	11-Jun-08	13	3	6	9	12
20	Giorgos Pantelas	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/215	24-Apr-08	20	2	13	15	18
21	Brooks Rogowski	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/225	28-Jun-08	19	5	10	15	6
22	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	2-Jun-08	21	8	17	25	16
23	William Hakansson	D	Lulea (SHL)	6-4/205	8-Oct-07	20	0	2	2	8
24	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	11-Apr-08	23	16	24	40	10
25	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	10-Aug-08	18	0	2	2	4
26	Egor Shilov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Apr-08	21	11	20	31	12
27	Oscar Hemming	LW	Sherwood Park (AJHL)	6-4/195	13-Aug-08	-	-	-	-	-
28	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	3-Aug-08	10	6	5	11	21
29	Beckham Edwards	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/180	6-Jan-08	21	9	10	19	8
30	Jack Hextall	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/190	23-Mar-08	19	6	9	15	8
31	Marcus Nordmark	LW	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	6-1/180	4-May-08	14	7	16	23	36
32	Tomas Chrenko	C	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	5-11/170	2-Nov-07	19	3	10	13	2
HM	Adam Valentini	LW	Michigan (NCAA)	5-11/185	11-Apr-08	14	4	9	13	14
HM	Luke Schairer	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/195	30-Jan-08	20	0	5	5	39
HM	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	13-Feb-08	20	5	11	16	16
HM	Olivers Murnieks	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/190	31-Jul-08	18	2	9	11	10
HM	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-1/185	16-Jun-08	14	11	11	22	12
HM	Vilho Vanhatalo	RW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	18-Jan-08	19	9	6	15	6
HM	Yaroslav Fedoseyev	D	Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)	6-1/180	5-Nov-07	6	1	0	1	2

2026 NHL Draft: McKeen’s Early Season Favourites – FINLAND – Vertti Svensk, Samu Alalauri, Jakub Frolo, Juho Piiparinen, Oliver Suvanto, Vilho Vanhatalo, Albert Smits

Jeremy Rivet, Simon Johansson, Arttu Myllymäki — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:46:09 +0000

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 FINLAND

Jeremy Rivet - Regional Scout for Finland

Vertti Svensk

Defense - SaiPa U20

6-foot-0, 165 pounds

Svensk has developed into one of the most heavily relied-upon young defensemen in Finland’s U20 circuit this season. After progressing quickly through Jokipojat’s system, (jumping from U18 Mestis to U20 Mestis as a 16-year-old) he earned a midseason loan to SaiPa in 2024–25 and hasn’t looked back since. His role has expanded significantly in 2025–26: he now logs upward of 25 minutes a night for SaiPa’s U20 team while also earning his first call-ups to both Mestis (Ketterä) and Liiga action with SaiPa. That trajectory speaks to both his talent, and the trust coaches have placed in him.

Svensk’s biggest strength remains his skating. He is a fluid, dynamic skater with excellent edge control and separation speed, capable of carrying the puck end to end and evading pressure through quick directional changes. Whether skating through the neutral zone or walking the blue line on the power play, he plays with pace and confidence. His mobility allows him to join the rush as a trailer and recover defensively without much issue. At his best, he breaks pressure with small area passes or quick feet, showing flashes of deception and offensive poise.

However, his game still reflects the inconsistency of a young, high-usage defenseman. While he generates offense in transition and contributes on both special teams, his reads and execution can be uneven. He’s prone to holding on to the puck too long under pressure, and his decision-making in the defensive zone can lead to positional lapses or overextensions. He remains a work in progress defensively, relying heavily on skating recovery instead of anticipation and body positioning.

Svensk’s upside relies on his modern, mobile, puck-moving defenseman style but his ceiling and his potential role will depend on how much he is able to use his strengths to create offense. Before the season, we wanted to see more production from him and up to now, he has done that. For now, he’s an exciting, high-event player trending as a boom-or-bust type prospect whose skating foundation gives him every chance to grow into an impactful pro if his game matures.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-vertti_svensk_-_3rd_period_27_41_-_27_54.mp4

(#7 - Yellow)

This is a great example of how Svensk can use his mobility and speed on the defensive side. Here, he makes a trackback on the puck carrier and quickly closes time on space to take the puck away. After that, he switches into offensive mode and starts the transition as he carries the puck through the offensive zone. In this sequence, Svensk also showcases smooth hands to break the defensive line even though there is an offside.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-vertti_svensk_-_2nd_period_23_22_-_23_39.mp4

(#7 - Yellow)

A part of Svensk’s game that he needs to work on is his game in the defensive zone. However, even if it is not perfect, he is still engaged without the puck. Like in this video where he closes the blue line with a good stick, he is involved in the puck battle along the board and he marks his man to deny the middle of the ice.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-vertti_svensk_-_2nd_period_7_30_-_7_45.mp4

(#7 - Yellow)

But the part of the game where Svensk shines the most is definitely with his skating and his puck movement ability. Like in this clip where he retrieves the puck after a little chip-in in his zone, opens the jets to beat the pressure and carries the puck in the neutral zone. The decision he makes with the puck on the zone entry is maybe not the best and that is the kind of play that can make something, and it makes us wonder how high his hockey IQ really is.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-vertti_svensk_-_3rd_period_30_30_-_30_43.mp4

(#7 - Yellow)

However, he can also make plays like this one in the offensive zone. Here he showcases good playmaking ability with a nice deceptive pass where he fakes a shot to freeze everybody in defense.

Samu Alalauri

Defense - Pelicans U20

6-foot-2, 198 pounds

Alalauri has steadily climbed the Finnish development ladder, evolving from a promising two-way defender at the U16 level into a top-pair presence for Pelicans U20 and a key piece for Finland’s national teams. Over the past two seasons, he has established himself as one of Finland’s most reliable 2007-born defensemen, logging heavy minutes in all situations and recently earning time with Finland’s U18 squad at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and international events. His role continues to expand, and his mature, well-rounded approach has translated into consistent performances in the U20 SM-sarja this season.

His style is defined by poise, structure, and a strong sense of control. Alalauri plays a composed, efficient game, rarely forcing plays or panicking under pressure. His skating is solid though not explosive, but smooth enough to maintain tight gaps, close plays early, and handle retrievals calmly. He’s at his best when using his body positioning and stick detail to contain attackers rather than relying on physicality. In transition, he makes clean, precise passes and shows flashes of confidence walking the blue line, especially on the power play where his low, heavy shot can create rebounds or deflections.

While he may not have a single elite tool, his all-around toolkit is well-developed. He has good skating, good puck skills, good reads but the next step will be identifying and sharpening a defining trait that separates him from peers. Defensively, his reads can occasionally lag when play speeds up, particularly in front of the net or on quick rotations, and he’ll need to add urgency and assertiveness in boxouts and puck retrievals.

Overall, Alalauri projects as a steady, intelligent two-way defenseman with pro potential. His combination of size, maturity, and calm execution gives him a strong foundation, and with added pace and conviction, he could grow into a dependable middle-pair blueliner at the professional level.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-samu_alalauri_-_1st_period_0_36_-_0_49.mp4

(#56 - Dark blue)

Alalauri is more the type of defenseman that will do simple and efficient plays, but he is not afraid to use his good skating ability to carry the puck in transition like we can see in this clip.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-samu_alalauri_-_3rd_period_12_48_-_13_1.mp4

(#56 - Pale blue)

Is it generally not easy to play against Alalauri in the offensive zone because he uses his mobility and his reach to close the middle of the ice. Also, even though he is not a punishing defenseman, he is not afraid to use his body to kill the play along the board.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-samu_alalauri_-_1st_period_2_53_-_3_6.mp4

(#56 - Pale blue)

Another great example of how Alalauri uses his skating to close the gap at the blue line, makes a good stick to stick and finish the play with a check along the board which allows his teammates to retrieve the puck to start the zone exit.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-samu_alalauri_-_3rd_period_28_35_-_28_44.mp4

(#56 - Dark blue)

Alalauri might not have a big upside offensively but like he showed at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, his shot from the blue line cannot be underestimated. He likes to take low shots from the point which can create scoring chances. In this video, he scores a goal with a nice and precise low shot from the blue line.

Jakub Frolo

Center/Winger - Ilves U20

6-foot-1, 163 pounds

Frolo’s move from Czechia to Finland in 2023 has proven to be a key step in his development. After emerging as a productive offensive presence in Vsetín’s junior system, he joined Ilves for the 2023–24 season and quickly adapted to the Finnish game. Now in his draft year, Frolo has become one of Ilves U20’s most impactful forwards. He sees ice on both special teams and he is a player trusted to take key defensive-zone draws. He has also earned minutes in the Champions Hockey League with Ilves’ Liiga squad, further evidence of his rapid progression.

Frolo plays a mature, detail-oriented two-way game. His competitiveness and ability to agitate make him a difficult matchup, and he brings steady effort on both sides of the puck. He’s a reliable defensive center who supports low in the zone, closes space effectively, and tracks back with commitment. He finishes checks, battles hard for body position, and plays with the kind of edge and energy that often frustrates opponents.

Offensively, Frolo’s playmaking ability is what separates him. He shows poise and creativity in tight spaces, regularly delaying on entries to manipulate defenders before finding teammates through seams. His sense for spacing and timing allows him to create offense without relying on elite speed. Though his skating was once a weakness, it has improved considerably and now projects as roughly average by NHL standards with better posture, stride efficiency, and balance. His quick hands and deception help him compensate when carrying the puck, and he’s shown flashes of craftiness on the power play, operating from the half-wall.

Frolo’s physical maturity and growing confidence with the puck suggest legitimate upside as a bottom-six NHL center or winger who can kill penalties, provide secondary offense, and bring a competitive, agitating presence. His combination of vision, work rate, and hockey sense make him one of the more intriguing Czech-born forwards playing abroad this season. Continued strength gains and quicker decision-making under pressure will be key to unlocking the next level of his game.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-jakub_frolo_-_1st_period_25_38_-_25_49.mp4

(#34 - Yellow)

So far this season, Frolo has mainly stood out with his playmaking ability as he got 10 assists in 12 games which puts him ninth in assists in U20 SM-Sarja (at the time that this was written). However, he likes to shoot as well, and he has a pretty good shot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-jakub_frolo_-_1st_period_16_26_-_17_11.mp4

(#34 - Green)

This is a shift that he made in the game he played in the Champions Hockey League against the reigning champions. This sequence showcases his good play along the board with good puck protection and also his playmaking ability.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-jakub_frolo_-_2nd_period_7_24_-_7_37.mp4

(#34 - Green)

Another example of his playmaking ability and how patient he can be with the puck to find the passing lanes. Here, he is patient with the puck, protects it and finds his open teammates for a primary assist.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-jakub_frolo_-_3rd_period_9_50_-_10_3.mp4

(#34 - Green)

Again, great play in puck protection along the board, quick change of direction to beat the pressure and create space for himself, attacks the net and find an open teammate in front of the net for a primary assist.

Arttu Myllymäki - Regional Scout for Finland

Juho Piiparinen

Defenseman, Tappara (Liiga)

6-foot-11, 201 pounds

Juho Piiparinen is a big, smooth-skating defenseman who continues to impress with his poise and maturity well beyond his years. Now in his third season within the Tappara’s organization, Piiparinen made the jump to the Liiga level this year and has handled the transition to professional hockey with remarkable composure. Born in August 2008, he represents the younger side of his draft class yet already looks physically and mentally capable of competing against men.

Piiparinen’s skating stands out immediately; he’s a dynamic and fluid mover for his size, maintaining excellent posture and balance through his stride. He plays with his head up at all times and processes the game at a high level, which allows him to make calm, confident decisions under pressure. His first passes are clean and accurate, and his ability to break the puck out efficiently makes him a stabilizing presence on the back end. Despite limited minutes and little to no special-teams time so far, he has consistently made the most of his shifts, playing mistake-free hockey and showing dependable defensive awareness.

Physically, Piiparinen already holds his own in board battles and around the crease, using positioning and leverage effectively rather than relying solely on strength. What’s most impressive is his consistency, he rarely takes a shift off, and his game rarely wavers regardless of the opponent or situation.

Looking ahead, Piiparinen projects as a well-rounded, top four defenseman capable of logging heavy minutes in all situations. To continue his development, increased ice time, potentially including stints in the U20 SM-sarja, would be beneficial. With his combination of size, skating, and maturity, Piiparinen possesses legitimate first-round potential and could become a cornerstone two-way defender at the NHL level.

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

#57 blue/orange

Here we can see how Piiparinen is actively moving in the offensive zone which helps him to get to the loose puck quickly, goes decisively between two opponents in a tight space and makes a great setup to the slot that leads to a goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Juho_Piiparinen_JYP.mp4

#57 white

This clip shows what Piiparinen does consistently well. He retrieves the puck behind the net, positions his body well covering the puck and gives a great pass to the center which leads to a controlled zone exit.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-Juho_Piiparinen_Kookoo.mp4

#57 blue/orange

Piiparinen shows his physical tools and makes a couple of nice plays to keep pressure in the offensive zone. In addition, he makes a spinorama move with the puck creating some space for himself showing his mobility and agility.

Oliver Suvanto

Center, Tappara (Liiga)

6-foot-3, 209 pounds

Oliver Suvanto is a big-framed, intelligent center who continues to show why he’s considered one of the more intriguing young forwards in his draft class. Born in September 2008, he’s among the youngest eligible players this year, yet already plays with the confidence and poise of someone much older. Started with TPS Turku, now in his second season with Tappara, Suvanto has steadily adapted to higher levels of competition while maintaining his trademark energy and detail-oriented approach to the game.

Suvanto turned heads earlier this season at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he not only impressed with his work ethic but also managed to produce offensively. He carried that momentum into the U20 SM-sarja, opening the season with three goals in his first three games before earning regular ice time in the Liiga lineup. Although production has slowed since moving to the pro level, he’s averaged around 12 minutes per game and has often been trusted to play alongside some of Tappara’s top players, a strong indication of the coaching staff’s confidence in his maturity and hockey sense.

What stands out most in Suvanto’s game is his ability to find space in the offensive zone. He consistently positions himself well in the slot, reading rebounds and loose pucks with impressive instincts and quick reactions. His sense of timing and anticipation allows him to arrive at scoring areas first, often creating second-chance opportunities. Defensively, he’s reliable and well-positioned, reading the play effectively and supporting his defensemen early in transitions. Suvanto also shows a strong understanding of spacing, preferring to keep the game wide and play east–west to open passing lanes.

Suvanto projects as a smart, two-way center with pro-level habits already in place. As he continues to mature physically and earn more minutes, his combination of size, awareness, and energy gives him legitimate middle-six potential down the road that NHL teams are looking for in the second round of the draft.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-oliver_suvanto_-_1st_period_8_47_-_8_59.mp4

#89 white

Here Suvanto makes a small body fake to avoid the contact, covers the puck well against two opponents and makes a pass to the slot nicely creating a scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-oliver_suvanto_-_1st_period_25_58_-_26_10.mp4

#89 Blue/orange

This is a great example of the skillset Suvanto has. He recognizes that the defenseman is in a vulnerable position and stepping up late and then he plays the puck nicely over the defenseman's stick, controlling the bouncy puck while gaining a lot of speed. Then with slick stickhandling gets a wide open net but just fails finishing.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-oliver_suvanto_-_3rd_period_8_41_-_8_53.mp4

#89 Blue/orange

Suvanto makes a controlled zone entry and slows down a little bit waiting for the second wave. After he sees that the passing lane is open he goes for a cross-ice pass that, if went through, creates a good onetimer opportunity from a dangerous area to his teammate.

Vilho Vanhatalo

Winger Tappara (U20 SM-sarja)

6-foot-4, 194 pounds

Vilho Vanhatalo is an explosive, attack-minded winger with a natural goal scorer’s instinct and has a really strong and dangerous shot. His game is defined by pace, hunger, and a constant drive to attack. Vanhatalo reaches top speed in just a few strides and glides effortlessly through the neutral zone, maintaining his momentum with smooth, powerful strides. He’s elusive in tight spaces, using sharp edgework and quick changes of direction to escape defenders and create separation.

What immediately stands out is his shooting ability, his release is lightning-fast and deceptive, able to generate power and accuracy from minimal movement even in traffic. He doesn’t need much time or space to get his snapshot off, and he consistently looks to test goaltenders from all angles. That shoot-first mentality makes him a constant threat, forcing defenders to respect his release and opening up passing lanes for teammates. When defenders overcommit, he’s capable of sliding clever feeds into dangerous scoring areas, adding a secondary playmaking layer to his offensive game.

Early this season, Vanhatalo has been highly productive, scoring at roughly a half-goal and nearly a point per game pace. His confidence with the puck and attacking mindset have made him a focal point of his team’s offense. Beyond his scoring, his energy and competitiveness stand out, he plays every shift with purpose and doesn’t shy away from physical or contested areas, especially around the net and along the boards.

Stylistically, Vanhatalo shares some similarities with two years older Cole Eiserman, combining elite shooting mechanics with explosive quickness and an instinctive feel for where scoring chances develop. As he continues to round out his game away from the puck, he projects as a high-upside winger capable of becoming a top six offensive contributor at the NHL level so I’d project him to be a first-round pick.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-vilho_vanhatalo_-_1st_overtime_0_5_-_0_17.mp4

#34 Blue/orange

Vanhatalo can easily gain speed with couple of crossovers and get to a breakaway straight from the faceoff

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-vilho_vanhatalo_-_2nd_period_28_44_-_28_56.mp4

#34 Blue/orange

Here’s a great look of Vanhatalo’s release on powerplay. He delivers the puck into the short side top corner over the shoulder even from a sharp angle. The execution’s done really fast.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-vilho_vanhatalo_-_3rd_period_13_38_-_13_50.mp4

#19 White

Strong defensive effort, even exhausted at the end of the shift, forces the opponent's defenseman to make a mistake, steals the puck and escapes to a breakaway.

Simon Johansson - European Video Scout

Albert Smits

Defenseman - Jukurit

6-foot-3, 205 pounds

Albert Smits is a rare Latvian born draft eligible player that produced solid numbers for a D-1 defenseman at the SM-sarja U20s. His last 4 years have been spent away from his home country and been playing at different Finnish junior leagues. After completely dominating the U20s this season, Jukurit could not hold him down there any longer and his game has not changed one bit playing pros.

Albert Smits is a breakout machine. In my opinion, his transition game reminds me a lot of Matthew Schaefer’s. He’ll make smart first passes in his own end, make breakout passes, break the puck out himself or simply just skate from end-to-end. He is this successful because of so many factors. The skating to gain separation speed, the puck handling to stickhandle through high speeds and the hockey IQ to make the smart transition decisions, all of this accumulates to a dangerous puck moving defenseman.

Other than his great transition game, there are other parts of his game that simply are incredible. He’s got good skating ability, especially for his size. He uses crossovers to move laterally, pivots to quickly change direction and has quick first few steps to gain great speed quickly. The puck handling is incredibly smooth, he’s difficult to knock off the puck and has the deceptiveness in his hands to dangle through the neutral zone and not get disrupted. His long reach helps him when stickhandling. He’s got quick hands and when he pulls from the outside to the inside, he covers great distance and makes the defenders get out of position. By mainly combining these amazing traits Albert is also able to drive play. He’s everywhere on the ice and defending against a behemoth of his size while being able to move as fast as he can has to be a nightmare for defenders.

Albert Smits is a very intriguing draft eligible player. His arsenal of tools are exceptional and he’s the stereotypical defenseman that you look for in a #1 defender. He has been producing well so far but there are some questions about how translatable his offense will be in the NHL. I do think that this is a potential top 4 defenseman, maybe top 2 if his offense translates, and dare I say that he could be the best Latvian born player in recent memory?!

VIDEOS

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-Albert-Smits-Playdrive3.mp4

#23 in the clip

Strong along the boards and strong on the puck, Albert shields the puck incredibly well and drives around the offensive zone. Yes he’s doing this at 17 years old in the Liiga.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Albert-SmitsPlaydrive4.mp4

#23 in the clip

Again, drives around the offensive zone, using crossovers to move laterally and pivots to evade forecheckers. High level stuff.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3-Albert-SmitsPuck-handling1.mp4

#23 in the clip

Albert utilizes his long wingspan together with quick hands to deke from his backhand to forehand, creating great distance in movement and getting the defender out of position.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Albert-Smits-Transition2.mp4

#3 in the clip

Here Albert awaits the attacker until he’s close enough to then immediately make a cross ice pass, eliminating the incoming forechecker from play. Had he made the pass earlier before the forechecker was close enough, that same player could’ve changed direction and covered more ice, making the breakout harder.