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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.

147players
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
Age18 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
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.5"
Weight198 lbs
Range3 - 5
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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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Play killerPlay killerHammerHammerToolsyToolsy
10
Malte Gustafsson
© Photo: Bildbyrån
SwedenSweden·Defenseman

Malte Gustafsson

#43 (D) HV71 · SHL
BirthdateJun 11, 2008
Age18 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
Age18 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

#3 (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

#3 (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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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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SledgehammerSledgehammerPlay killerPlay killerRawRaw
22
Maksim Sokolovskii
© Photo: Dan Hickling
RussiaRussia·Defenseman

Maksim Sokolovskii

#17 (D) London Knights · OHL
BirthdateJul 12, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'7.25"
Weight240 lbs
Range19 - 40
22
Maksim Sokolovskii
© Photo: Dan Hickling
22
Maksim Sokolovskii
© Photo: Dan Hickling
RussiaRussia·Defenseman
Russia
Maksim Sokolovskii

#17 (D) London Knights · OHL

SledgehammerSledgehammerPlay killerPlay killerRawRaw
BirthdateJul 12, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'7.25"
Weight240 lbs
Range19 - 40
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Race carRace carEvasiveEvasiveAnkle breakerAnkle breaker
32
Tommy Bleyl
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman

Tommy Bleyl

#16 (D) Moncton Wildcats · QMJHL
BirthdateDec 1, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height5'11.25"
Weight170 lbs
Range19 - 50
32
Tommy Bleyl
© Photo: Dan Hickling
32
Tommy Bleyl
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman
USA
Tommy Bleyl

#16 (D) Moncton Wildcats · QMJHL

Race carRace carEvasiveEvasiveAnkle breakerAnkle breaker
BirthdateDec 1, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height5'11.25"
Weight170 lbs
Range19 - 50
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VersatilityVersatilityToolsyToolsy
Juho Piiparinen
© Photo: Timo Savela
FinlandFinland·Defenseman

Juho Piiparinen

#57 (D) Tappara · Liiga
BirthdateAug 10, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'1.5"
Weight205 lbs
Range32 - 56
Juho Piiparinen
© Photo: Timo Savela
Juho Piiparinen
© Photo: Timo Savela
FinlandFinland·Defenseman
Finland
Juho Piiparinen

#57 (D) Tappara · Liiga

VersatilityVersatilityToolsyToolsy
BirthdateAug 10, 2008
Age17 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'1.5"
Weight205 lbs
Range32 - 56
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Fleet of footFleet of footVisionVisionBrainBrain
Alexander Bilecki
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Alexander Bilecki

#89 (D) Kitchener Rangers · OHL
BirthdateMay 9, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.25"
Weight181 lbs
Range25 - 65
Alexander Bilecki
© Photo: Dan Hickling
Alexander Bilecki
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Alexander Bilecki

#89 (D) Kitchener Rangers · OHL

Fleet of footFleet of footVisionVisionBrainBrain
BirthdateMay 9, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'1.25"
Weight181 lbs
Range25 - 65
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VersatilityVersatilityVersatilityVersatilityVersatilityVersatility
Brek Liske
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Brek Liske

#42 (D) Everett Silvertips · WHL
BirthdateJan 9, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'1.25"
Weight190 lbs
Range39 - 58
Brek Liske
© Photo: Dan Hickling
Brek Liske
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Brek Liske

#42 (D) Everett Silvertips · WHL

VersatilityVersatilityVersatilityVersatilityVersatilityVersatility
BirthdateJan 9, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'1.25"
Weight190 lbs
Range39 - 58
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Ankle breakerAnkle breakerVisionVision
Timofei Runtso
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman

Timofei Runtso

#5 (D) Victoria Royals · WHL
BirthdateJul 6, 2007
Age19 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight185 lbs
Range39 - 58
Timofei Runtso
© Photo: Dan Hickling
Timofei Runtso
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman
USA
Timofei Runtso

#5 (D) Victoria Royals · WHL

Ankle breakerAnkle breakerVisionVision
BirthdateJul 6, 2007
Age19 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight185 lbs
Range39 - 58
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ToolsyToolsyEvasiveEvasive
Samu Alalauri
© Photo: Saimi Airaksinen
FinlandFinland·Defenseman

Samu Alalauri

#3 (D) Pelicans U20 · U20 SM-sarja
BirthdateMay 31, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'1.5"
Weight220 lbs
Range38 - 58
Samu Alalauri
© Photo: Saimi Airaksinen
Samu Alalauri
© Photo: Saimi Airaksinen
FinlandFinland·Defenseman
Finland
Samu Alalauri

#3 (D) Pelicans U20 · U20 SM-sarja

ToolsyToolsyEvasiveEvasive
BirthdateMay 31, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'1.5"
Weight220 lbs
Range38 - 58
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Got that dog in himGot that dog in himPlay killerPlay killerHammerHammer
Giorgos Pantelas
© Photo: Doug Westcott
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Giorgos Pantelas

#84 (D) Brandon Wheat Kings · WHL
BirthdateApr 24, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight212 lbs
Range38 - 58
Giorgos Pantelas
© Photo: Doug Westcott
Giorgos Pantelas
© Photo: Doug Westcott
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Giorgos Pantelas

#84 (D) Brandon Wheat Kings · WHL

Got that dog in himGot that dog in himPlay killerPlay killerHammerHammer
BirthdateApr 24, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.5"
Weight212 lbs
Range38 - 58
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Got that dog in himGot that dog in himPlay killerPlay killer
Ethan MacKenzie
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman

Ethan MacKenzie

#47 (D) Edmonton Oil Kings · WHL
BirthdateSep 2, 2006
Age19 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0.75"
Weight190 lbs
Range39 - 65
Ethan MacKenzie
© Photo: Dan Hickling
Ethan MacKenzie
© Photo: Dan Hickling
CanadaCanada·Defenseman
Canada
Ethan MacKenzie

#47 (D) Edmonton Oil Kings · WHL

Got that dog in himGot that dog in himPlay killerPlay killer
BirthdateSep 2, 2006
Age19 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'0.75"
Weight190 lbs
Range39 - 65
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Play killerPlay killerFleet of footFleet of foot
Luke Schairer
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman

Luke Schairer

#10 (D) U.S. National U18 Team · NTDP
BirthdateJan 30, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.75"
Weight194 lbs
Range50 - 68
Luke Schairer
© Photo: Dan Hickling
Luke Schairer
© Photo: Dan Hickling
USAUSA·Defenseman
USA
Luke Schairer

#10 (D) U.S. National U18 Team · NTDP

Play killerPlay killerFleet of footFleet of foot
BirthdateJan 30, 2008
Age18 Years
ShootsRight
Height6'2.75"
Weight194 lbs
Range50 - 68
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VersatilityVersatilityPlay killerPlay killer
William Håkansson
© Photo: Dan Hickling
SwedenSweden·Defenseman

William Håkansson

#29 (D) Luleå HF · SHL
BirthdateOct 8, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'4.5"
Weight216 lbs
Range50 - 68
William Håkansson
© Photo: Dan Hickling
William Håkansson
© Photo: Dan Hickling
SwedenSweden·Defenseman
Sweden
William Håkansson

#29 (D) Luleå HF · SHL

VersatilityVersatilityPlay killerPlay killer
BirthdateOct 8, 2007
Age18 Years
ShootsLeft
Height6'4.5"
Weight216 lbs
Range50 - 68
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