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2026 NHL
Draft Guide

2026 NHL Draft Guide cover

Welcome to Elite Prospects' 2026 NHL Draft Guide, your complete look at the next wave of NHL talent. Our scouts spent thousands of hours ranking and breaking down the class of 2026. New this year, Premium subscribers get the full guide on the site alongside the PDF. Filter, sort, and jump straight to live profiles, stats, and game logs, each backed by a full scouting report and grades.

Player: gavin-mckenna
450players
Chess masterChess masterVisionVisionFearlessFearless
2
Ivar Stenberg
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Forward

Ivar Stenberg

#41 (F) Frölunda HC · SHL
BirthdateSep 30, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height5'10.75"
Weight183 lbs
Range1 - 3
2
Ivar Stenberg
© Photo: Bildbyrån
2
Ivar Stenberg
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Forward
Sweden
Ivar Stenberg

#41 (F) Frölunda HC · SHL

Chess masterChess masterVisionVisionFearlessFearless
BirthdateSep 30, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height5'10.75"
Weight183 lbs
Range1 - 3
Shades of Lucas Raymond, Kirill Kaprizov
Summary
Incredibly gifted offensive creator with elite skill and matching offensive sense, but also a robust two-way game – a future top-line NHL winger, potentially as soon as next season.

Grades

Scale 1.0 – 9.0
6.5Skating
6.0Shooting
7.5Passing
7.5Handling
7.5Sense
6.0Physical
AGrade
Fleet of footFleet of footSniperSniperVisionVision
3
Chase Reid
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman

Chase Reid

#25 (D) Soo Greyhounds · OHL
BirthdateDec 30, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight190 lbs
Range1 - 3
3
Chase Reid
© Photo: Dan Hickling
3
Chase Reid
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman
USA
Chase Reid

#25 (D) Soo Greyhounds · OHL

Fleet of footFleet of footSniperSniperVisionVision
BirthdateDec 30, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight190 lbs
Range1 - 3
Shades of Zach Werenski
Summary
The best bet to become a No. 1 defenceman in the class, thanks to his dynamic skating, high-end skill, and ever-improving defensive game.

Grades

Scale 1.0 – 9.0
7.5Skating
7.5Shooting
7.0Passing
7.0Handling
7.0Sense
6.0Physical
AGrade
HammerHammerLockdownLockdownGot that dog in himGot that dog in him
4
Carson Carels
© Photo: Ryder Stimson
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Carson Carels

#4 (D) Prince George Cougars · WHL
BirthdateJun 23, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.5"
Weight198 lbs
Range3 - 5
4
Carson Carels
© Photo: Ryder Stimson
4
Carson Carels
© Photo: Ryder Stimson
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Carson Carels

#4 (D) Prince George Cougars · WHL

HammerHammerLockdownLockdownGot that dog in himGot that dog in him
BirthdateJun 23, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.5"
Weight198 lbs
Range3 - 5
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Details kingDetails kingBrainBrainGot that dog in himGot that dog in him
5
Caleb Malhotra
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward

Caleb Malhotra

#27 (F) Brantford Bulldogs · OHL
BirthdateJun 2, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.5"
Weight185 lbs
Range4 - 8
5
Caleb Malhotra
© Photo: Dan Hickling
5
Caleb Malhotra
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward
Canada
Caleb Malhotra

#27 (F) Brantford Bulldogs · OHL

Details kingDetails kingBrainBrainGot that dog in himGot that dog in him
BirthdateJun 2, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.5"
Weight185 lbs
Range4 - 8
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Ankle breakerAnkle breakerEvasiveEvasiveChess masterChess master
6
Wyatt Cullen
© Photo: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
USAUSA·Forward

Wyatt Cullen

#7 (F) U.S. National U18 Team · NTDP
BirthdateSep 8, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0.75"
Weight183 lbs
Range5 - 10
6
Wyatt Cullen
© Photo: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
6
Wyatt Cullen
© Photo: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
USAUSA·Forward
USA
Wyatt Cullen

#7 (F) U.S. National U18 Team · NTDP

Ankle breakerAnkle breakerEvasiveEvasiveChess masterChess master
BirthdateSep 8, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0.75"
Weight183 lbs
Range5 - 10
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SniperSniperVisionVisionTacticianTactician
7
Daxon Rudolph
© Photo: Doug Westcott
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Daxon Rudolph

#10 (D) Prince Albert Raiders · WHL
BirthdateMar 6, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight205 lbs
Range7 - 14
7
Daxon Rudolph
© Photo: Doug Westcott
7
Daxon Rudolph
© Photo: Doug Westcott
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Daxon Rudolph

#10 (D) Prince Albert Raiders · WHL

SniperSniperVisionVisionTacticianTactician
BirthdateMar 6, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight205 lbs
Range7 - 14
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Details kingDetails kingGot that dog in himGot that dog in himBrainBrain
8
Viggo Björck
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Forward

Viggo Björck

#61 (F) Djurgårdens IF · SHL
BirthdateMar 12, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height5'9"
Weight181 lbs
Range7 - 14
8
Viggo Björck
© Photo: Bildbyrån
8
Viggo Björck
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Forward
Sweden
Viggo Björck

#61 (F) Djurgårdens IF · SHL

Details kingDetails kingGot that dog in himGot that dog in himBrainBrain
BirthdateMar 12, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height5'9"
Weight181 lbs
Range7 - 14
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Clinical finisherClinical finisherVisionVisionVersatilityVersatility
9
Ethan Belchetz
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward

Ethan Belchetz

#61 (F) Windsor Spitfires · OHL
BirthdateMar 30, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'5.25"
Weight229 lbs
Range7 - 14
9
Ethan Belchetz
© Photo: Dan Hickling
9
Ethan Belchetz
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward
Canada
Ethan Belchetz

#61 (F) Windsor Spitfires · OHL

Clinical finisherClinical finisherVisionVisionVersatilityVersatility
BirthdateMar 30, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'5.25"
Weight229 lbs
Range7 - 14
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Play killerPlay killerHammerHammerToolsyToolsy
10
Malte Gustafsson
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Defenseman

Malte Gustafsson

#43 (D) HV71 · SHL
BirthdateJun 11, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'4.5"
Weight203 lbs
Range7 - 14
10
Malte Gustafsson
© Photo: Bildbyrån
10
Malte Gustafsson
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Defenseman
Sweden
Malte Gustafsson

#43 (D) HV71 · SHL

Play killerPlay killerHammerHammerToolsyToolsy
BirthdateJun 11, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'4.5"
Weight203 lbs
Range7 - 14
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MotorMotorFleet of footFleet of footPlay killerPlay killer
11
Alberts Smits
© Photo: Timo Savela
LatviaLatvia·Defenseman

Alberts Smits

#23 (D) EHC Red Bull München · DEL
BirthdateDec 2, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'2.75"
Weight209 lbs
Range10 - 14
11
Alberts Smits
© Photo: Timo Savela
11
Alberts Smits
© Photo: Timo Savela
LatviaLatvia·Defenseman
Latvia
Alberts Smits

#23 (D) EHC Red Bull München · DEL

MotorMotorFleet of footFleet of footPlay killerPlay killer
BirthdateDec 2, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'2.75"
Weight209 lbs
Range10 - 14
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Ankle breakerAnkle breakerVisionVisionTransition aceTransition ace
13
Xavier Villeneuve
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Xavier Villeneuve

#72 (D) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada · QMJHL
BirthdateSep 29, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height5'10.75"
Weight163 lbs
Range5 - 18
13
Xavier Villeneuve
© Photo: Dan Hickling
13
Xavier Villeneuve
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Xavier Villeneuve

#72 (D) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada · QMJHL

Ankle breakerAnkle breakerVisionVisionTransition aceTransition ace
BirthdateSep 29, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height5'10.75"
Weight163 lbs
Range5 - 18
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HorseHorseSniperSniperBrainBrain
14
Adam Novotny
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CzechiaCzechia·Forward

Adam Novotny

#16 (F) Peterborough Petes · OHL
BirthdateNov 13, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.25"
Weight205 lbs
Range10 - 16
14
Adam Novotny
© Photo: Dan Hickling
14
Adam Novotny
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CzechiaCzechia·Forward
Czechia
Adam Novotny

#16 (F) Peterborough Petes · OHL

HorseHorseSniperSniperBrainBrain
BirthdateNov 13, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.25"
Weight205 lbs
Range10 - 16
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Details kingDetails kingMotorMotorVisionVision
15
Ryan Lin
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Ryan Lin

#4 (D) Vancouver Giants · WHL
BirthdateApr 18, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height5'11.25"
Weight181 lbs
Range12 - 18
15
Ryan Lin
© Photo: Dan Hickling
15
Ryan Lin
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Ryan Lin

#4 (D) Vancouver Giants · WHL

Details kingDetails kingMotorMotorVisionVision
BirthdateApr 18, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height5'11.25"
Weight181 lbs
Range12 - 18
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Fleet of footFleet of footMotorMotorPlay killerPlay killer
16
Tynan Lawrence
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward

Tynan Lawrence

#11 (F) Boston University · NCAA
BirthdateAug 3, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0.5"
Weight183 lbs
Range11 - 18
16
Tynan Lawrence
© Photo: Dan Hickling
16
Tynan Lawrence
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward
Canada
Tynan Lawrence

#11 (F) Boston University · NCAA

Fleet of footFleet of footMotorMotorPlay killerPlay killer
BirthdateAug 3, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0.5"
Weight183 lbs
Range11 - 18
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Reverse hit masterReverse hit masterSniperSniperMotorMotor
17
Maddox Dagenais
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward

Maddox Dagenais

#26 (F) Québec Remparts · QMJHL
BirthdateMar 27, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'3.5"
Weight196 lbs
Range15 - 18
17
Maddox Dagenais
© Photo: Dan Hickling
17
Maddox Dagenais
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Forward
Canada
Maddox Dagenais

#26 (F) Québec Remparts · QMJHL

Reverse hit masterReverse hit masterSniperSniperMotorMotor
BirthdateMar 27, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'3.5"
Weight196 lbs
Range15 - 18
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HammerHammerVersatilityVersatilityRawRaw
18
Oscar Hemming
© Photo: Robert Chalmers
FinlandFinland·Forward

Oscar Hemming

#9 (F) Boston College · NCAA
BirthdateAug 13, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'4"
Weight205 lbs
Range15 - 18
18
Oscar Hemming
© Photo: Robert Chalmers
18
Oscar Hemming
© Photo: Robert Chalmers
FinlandFinland·Forward
Finland
Oscar Hemming

#9 (F) Boston College · NCAA

HammerHammerVersatilityVersatilityRawRaw
BirthdateAug 13, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'4"
Weight205 lbs
Range15 - 18
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EngineEngineVisionVisionClinical finisherClinical finisher
20
Nikita Klepov
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Forward

Nikita Klepov

#98 (F) Saginaw Spirit · OHL
BirthdateJun 27, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0"
Weight181 lbs
Range19 - 30
20
Nikita Klepov
© Photo: Dan Hickling
20
Nikita Klepov
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Forward
USA
Nikita Klepov

#98 (F) Saginaw Spirit · OHL

EngineEngineVisionVisionClinical finisherClinical finisher
BirthdateJun 27, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0"
Weight181 lbs
Range19 - 30
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