My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft - Part 2: 20-1

The second and final part of my 2026 rankings release.

Everyone always asks, so how do you view this class as a whole from the OHL? I think it's a good, but not amazing year. You've got two top five candidates. You have probably nine or ten guys who have a chance of being selected in the first round. That's definitely above average.

1. Chase Reid - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

Malhotra made it very close for me, but Reid has been my guy all season and I'm sticking with it. So many elements of Reid's game are bordering on elite. He's an explosive skater who can get up ice quickly, helping him have a profound impact on the transition game. He's extremely skilled and creative; his hands and feet work perfectly in sync. He's such a quick thinker on the fly and able to navigate the neutral zone with ease, even when pressured. Part of this comes from his quick ability to change direction too. Offensively, he's so good off the puck. He times cuts and jumps back door like you would want your 40 goal sniper to do. His shot is a major weapon too. He's going to score goals and lead a powerplay at the NHL level. Defensively, I do think that his game has come a long way. He's not your average undersized offensive defender. He's got length to him. The length and mobility make him a good transitional defender. He can play aggressively and take chances. It's really just defending tighter spaces. He doesn't have to defend a ton along the wall at the OHL level because he's so good at retrieving the puck that he rarely gets hemmed in. However, the net front he can struggle with at times. It's about adding strength and just turning that intensity dial up a tad. I see Reid as a quality number two defender who can be an offensive leader for his team. I don't always make comparisons, but Reid reminds me a lot of watching former Flyer Eric Desjardins and I think he can have a similar long term impact for the organization that drafts him. For more information and videos, check out my scouting report on Reid for McKeen's Hockey.

2. Caleb Malhotra - Center - Brantford Bulldogs

I see a lot of people hung up on Malhotra's perceived lack of upside based off of his "average" scoring year in the BCHL last season. That's ludicrous IMO. What has made Malhotra such a special player this year is that his game is constantly evolving. Early on in the year, I wasn't necessarily sold either. But, every month his game just kept improving. New layer after new layer. He was getting quicker; his skating improved a ton from the start of the year to the end. By the playoffs, he had learned to weaponize that speed too and his pace really increased. He was becoming more confident and assertive with the puck. It's similar to the narrative surrounding Brady Martin last year, that he lacked skill and creativity. Yet...according to InStat Malhotra was among the leaders in successful dekes in the OHL this season. He has great hands and he can create time/space for himself. He was also becoming quite a physical force. It's an underrated component of his game. He's a fierce competitor who will play through defenders. As he gains strength, I would suspect that we'll see this evolve even further to the point of him being a borderline "classic" power forward. What was always there, even from the beginning this year, was the brains. It's no surprise given his father Manny was such an intelligent player. But Caleb is such a crafty playmaker. His vision is outstanding and he makes those around him better. Defensively, he can be a little inconsistent, but I think that will tighten up and I'd project him as an elite two-way player as a pro. This is a very complete pivot who should be a quality, all situations top six center.

3. Ethan Belchetz - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Belchetz is a player that I've gone back and forth on so many times this year. My viewings were just so inconsistent. I'm so bummed that he got injured before the playoffs because I really believe that we could have seen him have a great playoffs; I mean, it's the kind of player he's projected to become and it would have been a great test for him. Truthfully, I think some of Belchetz's consistency issues come from conditioning. It's smart of him to follow the Porter Martone path next year to the NCAA in hopes that they can help him with that. It obviously worked wonders for shoring up Martone's game. But Belchetz can struggle to be impactful physically, away from the puck, and on the puck on the same shift. From the amount that I've watched this year too, he seemed more impactful at the start of games than the end. That's an quick fix and it's why I do think he can reach his upside as a top six power forward. The shot improved a ton this year. It's become perhaps his best offensive weapon. The skating is passable for a guy his size, it's not going to hold him back. But, his pace needs to increase. I also want to see him play between the hash marks more consistently given his size advantage. From a skill perspective, he has the hands. He can evade pressure. He can get to the net. He can prolong possession along the wall. You just want to see him making quicker decisions and applying that skill in a more up tempo game. Best case scenario sees Belchetz put it all together and become a beast. Worst case? I think he's skilled enough to still become an Anthony Mantha type. Check out this great report from McKeen's colleague Kaeden Ireland on Belchetz (lots of video)

4. Nikita Klepov - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Klepov really grew on me over the year. I still have some projection concerns, but he's one of those guys who you have to watch a lot to really appreciate. And I know that sounds crazy given he led the league in scoring, but it's true. He's just such an efficient offensive player. Crafty is the best word to use. He's very intelligent; very savvy off the puck in the offensive zone. On the puck, he has the skill and he has the frame to keep defenders at bay. He can be so effective off the puck as a shooting threat too, especially on the flank of the powerplay because his one timer is outstanding. Do I wish that he was quicker? Yes. Do I wish the physical engagement in the neutral zone/defensive zone were more consistent? Yes. Do I worry a bit about his pace of play and ability to create separation at the pro level? Yes. He is terrific in transition at the OHL level, but without elite speed/quickness, will that carry over? But, some players just have the "IT" factor and I think Klepov is one of them. The college level is going to really help him improve physically. I think there's some risk factor with his selection, but the offensive upside is very high. He's moved ahead of Novotny for me because I've become more comfortable with that risk because I'm more confident he can improve further. For more, check out my colleague Kaeden Ireland's report on him for McKeen's Hockey.

5. Adam Novotny - Wing - Peterborough Petes

I have absolutely no doubt that Adam Novotny will be an NHL player. His game is very projectable. It's built on power and tenacity. He's so tough to stop North/South because of how quick and strong he is. If he gets even a half step on you, he's finding a way to get to the net. He's also a tremendous forechecker. Just wrecks havoc as the F1; a turnover forcing machine. His game without the puck, in general, is quite mature. He's sound defensively too. Lastly, his shot is a weapon. He one times pucks cleanly from either the bumper spot or the flank and he possesses a powerful wrister too. There's a good chance that he can develop into a consistent 25 goal scorer at the NHL level. At one point this year, I had him as high as third because I believed he could end up being an extremely valuable, playoff style performer. And while I do still believe that can be the case, I really didn't like how he finished the year. It seemed like OHL defenders started to develop a book on him and he started to get boxed in a lot; they were neutralizing his speed/power and he seemed somewhat unable to make adjustments. I'm not sure he's a naturally gifted passer and I wonder if his game is a little too "one note" to be a consistent point producer at higher levels. A valuable player...yes. A high scoring one...no. He's one of the oldest first time eligible players this year and perhaps he's plateauing a bit. I like him in that 20-30 range of the first round, but not in the lottery or teens. Liam Staples, of McKeen's Hockey, wrote a comprehensive report on Novotny earlier this year that you'll want to check out.

6. Ryder Cali - Wing/Center - North Bay Batttalion

I certainly haven't hidden my love for Cali this year; I've talked about him a lot. But I do truly believe that he could develop into a really good NHL player in the Alex Killorn mold. He's super young for this class and his month over month progression was great. Early on this year, as he was adjusting to the OHL full time, Cali was fairly reserved in his approach, playing primarily a support role in working the cycle and getting to the net. Then he suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for over two months. Upon returning, he was a different player, a more confident one. Through the final 20 games of the OHL regular season, Cali was a point per game player. He looked quicker. He was a driving force offensively. He was more assertive physically. The switch flipped. We saw him hitting the highlight reels consistently. And while his ice time at the U18's for Canada was fairly limited, his "fourth" line with Beckett Hamilton and Alessandro Di Iorio was consistently one of Canada's best. He didn't show the growth from a play driving stand point, but he was a dependable penalty killer and a strong boards player. I think the main question for Cali is can he play center long term? Either way he has value, but if you view him as a center, he's going to have more. I just see Cali as such a safe NHL prospect. The floor is solid, but I think the upside is higher than people think. Curious to see how he plays at Providence. Would have liked him to play another year in the OHL. Check out my in-depth piece on Cali for McKeen's Hockey

7. Thomas Vandenberg - Center/Wing - Ottawa 67's

Vandenberg was so consistent this year for the upstart 67's as a rookie. I think what's most impressive about that is Vandenberg is still pretty physically immature as one of the youngest draft eligible players this year. I think he's only scratching the surface of what he's capable of physically. Once he fills out, we could see another level of his game unlocked; think from a power forward perspective. As is, Vandenberg's best tool is his skating. No question, he's one of the quickest players in this entire draft class, not just Ontario. His first few steps are lethal and it gives him such an advantage on the ice. As the strength improves, his ability to sustain that explosiveness should improve even more. The other thing that always impresses me about Vandenberg is his attention to detail in all three zones. He's one of the draft's best defensive forwards IMO. Never seems to miss an assignment. Great stick placement and awareness. Sometimes he can lose battles along the wall or give up space because he's getting overwhelmed physically, but again, as that improves, I think he's going to be a very good two-way player at higher levels. Offensively, his shot is probably the best weapon in his arsenal. Quick wrister allows him finish off chances from the slot and he's highly accurate. I know some people see him slotting at the wing at the pro level, with a focus on his speed and scoring ability, but I do think that his on puck game and playmaking ability can evolve to the point where he sticks down the middle. There's times where Vandenberg reminds me of a guy like Bo Horvat and I think he could develop into a similar kind of player.

8. Maksim Sokolovskii - Defense - London Knights

Early on in the year, I ranked Sokolovskii 18th and I wrote this: "It’s rare to have someone being routinely healthy scratched ranked this high early on, but I do truly believe that Sokolovskii has excellent upside." It was tough sledding for him until about the deadline. London moved some players and Sokolovskii finally started earning Dale's trust. Fast forward to the playoffs and he had earned top pairing minutes and key defensive assignments. His progression from start to end of the year was outstanding, especially when you consider that he played U.S. AAA hockey last year. Defensively, he has immense upside. He is so good at defending in transition. He's almost impossible to get around or play through. The size, reach, mobility, and physicality combination is deadly. His gap control and understanding of when to play aggressively really improved over the year. Physically, he's dominant. His hits are felt in the stands and he's intimidating because of it. You can see players rushing decisions or altering decisions when he's on the ice. The million dollar question is, how much is he capable of offensively? There are flashes. He can carry the puck. He's actually quite good at working in off the point, either using his size to protect the puck with players on his back, or stickhandling around the first layer of pressure. With his size, his shot probably develops into more of a weapon. His puck management improved over the year, although turnovers in the defensive end still need to get cleaned up. He needs to make quicker decisions. However, under the tutelage of Dale Hunter, Sokolovskii is such an intriguing project. 

9. Alexander Bilecki - Defense - Kitchener Rangers

What a great run for Bilecki this year in Kitchener. He had a very strong playoffs and Memorial Cup and that has to count for something in the eyes of NHL scouts. He's a really well rounded defender who leans offense first. However, he projects as the kind of NHL defender who can play in any situation. He's been quarterbacking one of the Rangers' powerplay units all year and doing a great job. Bilecki's size and strong mobility give him an advantage at both ends. He can kill the rush, but also kick start the transition game. He's not the world's most creative offensive defender, but he's intelligent. On the puck, he gets pucks to the net quickly and makes quick passes, or he has the elusiveness on his edges to escape the first layer of pressure, working to the inside. Similar to Chase Reid, he's also good off the puck as an offensive player. He'll pinch to keep pucks in, activate regularly as a third or fourth man in, or sneak backdoor to earn a look. Defensively, his physical intensity increased over the year and, again, he's an intelligent zone defender. As he picks up more ice time and responsibility, aka next season, I'm really curious to see how his game evolves further. I think the one concern you'd have is the difficulty that his player type sometimes has with finding a role at the NHL level; the "jack of all trades" type. You think of guys like Roland McKeown or Stuart Percy. It's why I'd have Bilecki outside of the first round because there is that chance that he fits that similar archetype. However, I also believe that his offensive game is going to develop further with more confidence, giving him a chance to be a Damon Severson type.

10. Brooks Rogowski - Center - Oshawa Generals

The big Oshawa pivot is a raw player. He hasn't been focusing solely on hockey for very long, growing up as a competitive baseball player. He came to the OHL from Michigan high school hockey, a pretty rare jump. This would suggest that he has a lot of development left in the tank; that he's just scratching the surface of what he's capable of. While that is true, I do have some concerns over his projection. First, let's dive into the "good." I think Rogowski is a very smart player. He's a strong playmaker and has good vision coming off the wall. He's a supportive defensive player as a pivot and his length makes him a real asset in the neutral and defensive zones. He gets to the net and has good instincts as a scorer; the baseball background makes him a terrific net front presence because of his hand eye coordination. He also skates well enough in straight lines with his big, long strides. Given his size advantage, it's definitely good enough. OK, now the things that I'm concerned about. First, the other components of his skating profile need work. He's a bit of a baby deer out there. The balance and agility aren't great. He can lose edges and balance regularly. In order to escape pressure as an NHL player, this will need to improve. The biggest criticism of Rogowski's game this year from the scouting community, as a whole, has been his inability to dominate physically despite such a huge frame. And it's true, the physical intensity does need to ratchet up. He'd be so much more effective at both ends if he could unlock more consistent "power forward" type tendencies. Lastly, I'm perhaps most worried about the small area skill. He can fumble pucks at his feet along the wall and he can have trouble navigating the neutral zone. He's not a creative player. He's strong between the hash marks because he shields the puck well, but with his size, he's going to be looked upon to be dominant along the wall and in the cycle, and he currently isn't great in that area. However, I say all this and bring you back to my opening statement. Even though he's physically mature, Rogowski isn't a finished product. Bigger players take longer to develop, especially ones like Rogowski who just haven't had as much time on the ice as others. You're drafting him in hopes that he can develop into a quality middle six piece...or at the very least become a Brian Boyle type clone. For more, check out my in-depth report on Rogowski for McKeen's.

11. Jaxon Cover - Wing - London Knights

Cover is one of this draft's ultimate wildcards. Not just in terms of where he is selected, but also in terms of how he develops. By now, if you follow the draft, you're very familiar with his story. If, not give friend Scott Wheeler's story a read. Basically, Cover has an inline background and just hasn't played a ton of high end ice hockey. That's going to create a development lag and it's wild that he's closed the gap as quickly as he has; a testament to his athleticism and work ethic. The tools are there. His skating mechanics aren't conventional, but he covers ground well and can build speed. He's a highly skilled player in small spaces. He's highly elusive; can keep the puck on a string. The hands and feet work in sync and this allows him to play up tempo. The decision making, play away from the puck, and physical engagement are all best characterized as inconsistent. There's flashes of all three being possible strengths, but then he can go stretches of being invisible. I had Cover much higher on my list at various points of the season. But, I guess the question I asked myself was, did Cover show the kind of progression this year that I wanted to, given his unique background and lack of experience? I wouldn't confidently say that he was better in the London playoff series than he was in the first week of the season. That could certainly be viewed as a red flag. However, you have to like that he's in London and believe that he'll get a ton of ice time next year. Cover could literally develop into anything from a top six scoring winger to a low level NA or European pro player. There's big time risk and reward. For more info on Cover, check out colleague Liam Staples' report for McKeen's Hockey.

12. Alessandro Di Iorio - Center - Sarnia Sting

Di Iorio entered the year as a very possible first round selection. As a well rounded and competitive pivot, there was real hope that his offensive game would reach another level and that he'd push for the first round. However, Di Iorio's offensive contribution and production remained extremely inconsistent. I mean, yeah the Sarnia Sting weren't great this year; the supporting cast struggled just as much as he did with consistency. But, it's left us with more questions about his upside than answers. As such, he's seen as a more likely second or third round selection. What Di Iorio deserves credit for is his effort level. That was consistent this year. He's a competitive two-way player who can kill penalties. He needs to get stronger at the faceoff circle, but his defensive awareness is solid and as he builds strength, he projects as a strong defensive forward. He's also highly effective on the forecheck. That was very evident at the U18's where he was part of a strong fourth line with Ryder Cali (and Beckett Hamilton of the WHL). One of the things that was tough to evaluate this year was his skating. At times, he looks extremely quick and agile, with the ability to beat defenders wide and cut in. Other times, his stride looks a bit clunky and he fails to generate separation ability. That should get ironed out won't likely hold him back. So it comes down to skill and offensive IQ. There are flashes. The shot is a weapon, but he doesn't use it enough or get himself in position to use it. He can be creative, but he can struggle with altering pace and either skates himself into trouble or gets boxed in. It's just really hard to say what kind of player he'll end up becoming. There are so many possibilities. There's a high floor. There's a high ceiling. But there's also a world where he fails to develop a true identity and struggles to breakthrough similar to Francesco Pinelli in the Kings' organization. 

13. Pierce Mbuyi - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

This is definitely a fall in the rankings for Mbuyi, as I had him firmly inside my top ten for most of the year. It's a combination of others really stepping up late, the strange end of the year for the Owen Sound Attack, and a closer dissection of Mbuyi's game. I still really like him as a pick in that 50-70 range. You'd be hard pressed to find a player with more upside in that slot. Mbuyi is the nearly ideal smaller forward. He's skilled. He's tenacious. He's equal parts playmaker and goal scorer. He's elusive thanks to good agility and quickness off his edges. I've said this before, but he reminds me a little bit of Cole Perfetti, only a more physically engaged player. Now, I said nearly ideal because there's definitely room for Mbuyi to upgrade his top speed and linear quickness given his size and slight frame. So why the drop? I think we need to talk about that end of the year for Owen Sound. As captain of the team, that definitely had to leave a sour taste in the mouth of scouts. Then he was left off the Canadian U18 team despite being a member of the Hlinka team and being more highly rated than many of the players brought in. The other thing that needs to be discussed is Mbuyi's lack of strength. He's tenacious as heck for a smaller forward; love how aggressive he forechecks and works to win battles along the wall. However, he can be kept to the perimeter and separated from the puck too easily at times. He's a long term project so that he can bulk up. It wouldn't shock me to see him drafted in the NHL lower than we're projecting and if that's the case, a team will be getting great value.

14. Ryan Roobroeck - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

Roobroeck is such a difficult player to assess and project in different ways than Mbuyi. He offers such a tantalizing package of skill and smarts in a large frame. The offensive upside is significant; he could be a powerplay one threat and a top six winger. However, a lot of adjustments need to be made in order to reach that upside. Let's start with the good. Roobroeck is one of the best scorers in this draft class. He possesses a whip like wrister and snap shot that he can pick corners with and he's very deceptive with his release. If he could become more confident with his one timer from the flank, he could be a consistent 30 goal scorer in the NHL. Roobroeck is also a very intelligent playmaker. He uses the threat of his shot to open up passing lanes and can really thread the needle. He consistently rotates to the point of Niagara's powerplay because of how well he moves the puck. The IQ extends further than that; he's a very opportunistic player. He consistently finds soft spots and settles into pockets that allow him to get his shot off. He's one of those guys that the puck magnetically gravitates towards. OK, now the concerns. Firstly, the physical engagement is very low for a bigger forward. He shows flashes of physicality and strong off puck pursuit, but can also be pushed to the perimeter and lacks the competitive drive to consistently earn touches; he needs to be harder on pucks. Will this develop? The issue is that this has been the knock on Roobroeck since his minor hockey says. He's played three years in the OHL and you could make the argument that his game hasn't improved a ton. Roobroeck's pace of play also lags. When he tries to push pace, he can get boxed in without elite quickness and turnovers can be an issue, especially without that high end compete level. In straight lines he can build speed, but he's not great working off his edges or having to make quick cuts. As a result, Roobroeck tries to slow the pace of play, incorporating delays, hesitations, and pivots to help him create room. So where does that leave us? It's just a matter of your aversion to risk. Roobroeck could be someone who figures it out and then you've got a high end offensive player with size. Or he could be the next Michael Dal Colle. For a larger breakdown of his game, check out my report for McKeen's Hockey. 

15. Spencer Bowes - Wing - Ottawa 67's

When Spencer Bowes was drafted by the 67's as an overage player in 2024 (he was originally eligible in 2023), he was listed at 5'6. Now he's pushing six foot. That's a pretty large growth spurt. However, playing as a smaller player for so many years had such a positive effect on Bowes' game. He's such a relentless physical player and hard worker. He broke in with the 67's on the team's fourth line and slowly gained more trust and responsibility because of his hard work and positive attitude. 10 points in his first 34 games. 40 points in his final 42 games (including the playoffs). Talk about progression. To be honest, I think Bowes is the kind of player who is still gaining confidence; learning about the kind of impact he can have. As such, I think he's only scratching the surface of his upside. In the second half of the year, we saw so many terrific flashes of play creation ability. He's got skill. He's also got a terrific shot and scoring instincts. Bottom line, he checks a lot of boxes and because of that, there are going to be so many different paths to the NHL for him. Most likely scenario sees him develop into a Daniel Cleary kind of high impact third liner. The only thing really missing from his game is high end skating ability, and as a result, the ability to play a high paced game. However, we know how late growth spurts can impact skating power. Mechanically, I don't think there are real issues. It's just a matter of improving lower body strength to compensate for his now larger frame. Give him a few years and I don't think the skating will be an issue.

16. Beckham Edwards - Wing/Center - Sarnia Sting

The best way to describe Edwards' game is that he's not yet the sum of his parts. He has speed and can play with pace, but he has trouble slowing the game down and varying attack patterns. He has played both center and wing and his long term positional projection would be different depending on who you ask. He has a good shot, but he doesn't consistently find soft spots or exhibit sound decision making or poise with the puck. He works hard off the puck, but the physical consistency is still developing. Just how skilled is Edwards? The hands don't always play at the same speed as his feet. Lots of questions. Then you throw in the wrinkle of Edwards playing on a poor Sarnia team this year and he's just such a puzzle. I had really high expectations for him coming into the year, but I didn't really feel like his game improved much. However, this is exactly the kind of player you feel comfortable taking in that late second, third round range. You can work with him to help him find a better on ice identity; to find that niche. The skating ability will play at higher levels and if you can help him simplify things, he could be a terrific middle six asset. You also have to hope that as Sarnia improves around him, Edwards' game should take off with less pressure on him to drive play.

17. Adam Nemec - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Nemec is that classic case of a player who is a high level thinker and a great competitor, but who lacks high end athletic tools. So how do you value that? How do you project his game in today's NHL? I think one of the other issues is that Nemec isn't huge. He's average sized. He does so much of his damage from between the dots and near the crease; will he find success there at the NHL level? As a late born 2007, how much physical development remains and can he improve his skating further to get quicker and more elusive? Yeah...I know, lots of questions here. But these are the questions NHL scouts are going to be asking themselves in regards to Nemec. But he's firmly in the conversation as a second or third round pick because of how smart he is. For my money, he's one of the smartest off puck players available in this class. His reads and anticipation are outstanding. I also greatly appreciate his work rate. He's not a heavy hitter or a power forward. However, he is great along the wall and in the cycle, and he's willing to take a hit to make a play, be it along the wall or in front of the net. I think he can be a powerplay asset at higher levels the way that he was for Sudbury this year after coming over. He really was gaining a ton of confidence as a play driver later in the year and it would have been interesting to see how his game would have grown had he spent all year in the OHL. You draft Nemec hoping that some of those physical traits can be improved because he's smart enough to be an NHL player.

18. Layne Gallacher - Wing/Center - Guelph Storm

Tale of two seasons for me in regards to Gallacher. I loved his play with Brantford to start the year. He was super aggressive physically and he was playing an up tempo game offensively. Even with somewhat sheltered minutes, he found a way to be consistently impactful. He looked like a future versatile pro. Then he got dealt to Guelph in the Luchanko trade and I felt like he lost his way a bit. We saw flashes of what we saw in Brantford, but his game became super inconsistent. The supporting cast in Guelph obviously wasn't as strong and he was tasked with being more involved offensively. This seemed to take away from his physical play. He was still trying to use his speed to play at a quick pace, but turnovers become more common place as teams were able to key in on him. Part of me wanted to drop him lower than this. His second half play wasn't great. However, there's just something about his game that I think is very projectable and I think he has a lot of runway to improve his production and consistency. The speed can play at the next level. As he gets stronger, he'll be more effective driving the net and the physical game should become more dominant. I think he's going to be a good two-way forward who can play on the PK. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut.

19. Cole Zurawski - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

NHL teams are going to likely love Zurawski in the third/fourth round range. He's exactly the kind of player you take a chance on in that range. On one hand, his game currently has some flaws that make him inconsistent and a longshot to be an NHL contributor. On the other hand, he has significant NHL upside as a power scoring winger if he's able to make some adjustments. Boom/bust is the way to go in this range if you ask me; serious bang for your buck. What makes Zurawski a high upside swing is that he's capable of playing a power game given his frame, but he's also a strong straight line skater, a creative one on one player, and in possession of one of the best shots in this Ontario class. When he's on his game, he can completely take over shifts in the offensive zone. The problem is, those shifts can be few and far between. His off puck play leaves a lot to be desired given that his physical gifts could make him such an impactful player in this regard. And without outstanding off puck habits, he's not getting as many looks to utilize his shot as he should be. Then, of course, the elephant in the room was the poor end of the year for Owen Sound. I guess the question scouts will ask is, do they think Zurawski is a smart enough player to truly unlock his upside? You just have to focus on those dominant shifts and hope that he can find a way to play that way all the time.

20. Brody Pepoy - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Speaking of inconsistent, at least in terms of offensive effectiveness, insert Pepoy. I find him to be one of the most fascinating players eligible from Ontario this year. You never seem to know what you're going to get from him. I think he's one of those classic cases of a player possessing all the tools, but whose application of said tools is wildly inconsistent; perhaps because he doesn't quite understand how to utilize them. Pepoy flashes some real creativity with the puck; he doesn't lack confidence in his ability to make plays. However, this sometimes leads to a reckless game in the offensive end and turnovers. When it works...Pepoy looks great. When it doesn't,,,Pepoy looks like a liability. But, this is a winger with a good frame, a strong shot, and the puck skill to be a difference maker and play driver. What's more consistent is Pepoy's work rate and boards play. His effort away from the puck, in the offensive end anyway, should not be questioned. He could stand to get a little quicker, but I don't see the skating holding him back at all. I mean, if you're stat watching, Pepoy probably doesn't catch your eye. But the way Saginaw employs it's top players, the second and third line just doesn't see as much responsibility. Pepoy's time will come and that will give him a real chance to improve his decision making and understanding of how to best utilize his skill set. Like mentioned with Zurawski, this is the type of player you take in the mid rounds because Pepoy's potential will be greater than his draft slot.

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft - Part 1: 50-21

The first part of my rankings release for the 2026 NHL Draft. 

For those that have been following my work for years, like last year, I'm condensing down to only two parts for this. Part one includes the players ranked 21 through 50. Part two will include the players in my top 20.

Just for clarification, for my top 50 ranking, I haven't included any players eligible for draft re-entry, such as Alex Kostov or Egor Barabanov. This has been consistent all the way through my lists. Instead, I did a list of the top 20 draft re-entries, which can be found here.

Also for clarification, this list is MY list of the top 50 OHL prospects, as if I were drafting for my own team. In other words, this isn't a list of where I THINK or believe players will go, but a ranking of my own opinion on the top players eligible for this draft based on my viewings this season. If you want a draft projection and information about players outside the OHL, be sure to check out McKeens Hockey. As you may know (or not know) I am the scouting director for McKeen's and our draft guide will be released extremely soon (purchasing information is available on the linked site).

Previously, the number of players drafted from the CHL in this range was shrinking due to the decreased signing window in comparison to other players from other regions. However, with the new NCAA eligibility rules, I wonder if we see a resurgence here. NHL teams will be more willing to take on longer term projects from the CHL because they know that they can go to college and develop further there, extending their signing window.

Without further ado, here are the players ranked 21 through 50.

21. Eric Frossard - Defense - Guelph Storm

From start to finish this year, Frossard had to be one of the OHL's most improved draft eligibles. I felt like he was Guelph's best overall defenseman by the end of the year, and that includes Penguins draft pick Quinn Beauchesne. Frossard has some really projectable qualities. The size and mobility combination is excellent. He's a smooth four way mover. And I really like how Frossard uses his mobility to play aggressively defensively. Steps up in the neutral zone to make plays. Is aggressive at the blueline with an active stick. He's not content to sit back. Physically, there's room for growth. He's not always as physically aggressive as you'd like, deeper in the zone...especially given his size. However, you have to project that changing as he gains confidence and bulks up. I would project him as a very difficult pro to play against. Offensively, later in the year we really saw him come out of his shell. He's never going to be a highly creative defender, but he's efficient with the puck and makes a strong exit pass. You could make a comparison to a guy like John Marino here. I know Frossard is headed to Notre Dame in the future, but I'm hoping he stays in Guelph next year where we can see his game blossom on the Memorial Cup hosts.

22. JC Lemieux - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Lemieux is one of those classic cases of...you really like the player, but you also understand that his NHL projection is a bit murky. I mean, there really is lots to like about his game. He's competitive. He's skilled. He's an excellent playmaker, especially from the half wall; he's going to be a powerplay asset at higher levels. He likes to play up tempo. He was so good for Sudbury after the trade from Windsor, although he was admittedly pretty quiet at the U18's. I think his lack of effectiveness at the U18's magnified some of those projection issues. He's considered undersized by today's standards. He's not the kind of dynamic or explosive skater that you like to see in smaller forwards. He's not slow by any means, but if he were just a little quicker, it would help him escape pressure more consistently and not have to rely on outworking defenders. The other concern is durability. Given how he needs to play to be successful, he's struggled with injuries in his OHL career thus far. I'd be totally fine with taking Lemieux in the like 80-120 range, it's worth the risk, but earlier than that and I think more projectable players could be on the board.

23. Colin Fitzgerald - Center/Wing - Soo Greyhounds

Consistency is the million dollar word here. It was an issue starting the year with Peterborough and closing the year with Sault Ste. Marie. Sometimes it feels like Fitzgerald is having a bit of an identity crisis. Every shift; every game, we see different layers but rarely at the same time. Sometimes, he looks like a power forward, throwing his weight around on the forecheck, getting to the net. Other times, he tries to be more of a finesse player, trying to beat defenders one on one. He found some success driving wide to the net later in the year when he was playing the wing almost exclusively. He still has the big shot that he had in minor hockey too, but his usage of it is...again inconsistent. He needs to do a better job of finding those soft spots to use his shot and his release is sometimes on the slower side. You also have ask the question of whether he's a center or wing long term? If you're drafting Fitzgerald early, you're banking on him finding consistency as a power pivot who can project as a solid third line center at higher levels. I know he hit a big growth spurt heading into the year and it impacted his skating a bit, so it'll be interesting to see how offseason training improves his game.

24. Carter Stevens - Wing - Guelph Storm

I really liked Stevens coming into the year and I still have hope that he can develop into a quality pro prospect. I think he's a smart player. He understands his game really well. He's really effective near the crease and in the slot. His shot can be a big weapon for him. I think Stevens has a lot of potential as a two-way player too, again because of the high IQ. However, he's quite often a passenger. He doesn't drive play, only supports it. I mean, that's the kind of role that he'd play at higher levels, but you'd still want to see him show greater offensive responsibility and creativity at the junior level. The other two things I'd like to see from Stevens is improvement to his speed and explosiveness, in addition to an increased physical element. He's not slow and he's not soft. However, he'll need to be quicker and harder to play against to be an effective NHL role player. Drafting Stevens, you're loving the IQ and frame and hoping that a few areas improve to be assets for him.

25. Ryder Fetterolf - Goaltender - Ottawa 67's

Fetterolf is a tough one to gauge. He had such a fantastic year for the 67's, earning the OHL's top netminder award. Yet, you won't find him ranked highly on a public scouting list, and I would suspect he could be lower on NHL scouting lists. You look at guys like Jack Ivankovic or Carter George who are about the same size as Fetterolf, yet drew early looks, and Fetterolf isn't as technically sound as they are. He relies so much on his competitiveness, athleticism, and play reading. His rebound control and positioning aren't always on point. I know there are concerns that his game won't translate as well to higher levels because of this. Smaller goaltenders do have an uphill battle to climb. Look at Michael Dipietro, back to back AHL goaltender of the year and can't get a sniff. Devon Levi is struggling with consistency in the AHL/NHL. Yet, once you get to this point, I just don't see another player who could have the same kind of impact as Fetterolf IF he does end up hitting Dustin Wolf, Juuse Saros style. Mid rounds, sign me up for the risk/reward!

26. Callum Croskery - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

This might be a shockingly low ranking for Croskery, but I lump him in the same category as JC Lemieux. Croskery is a player I like, but who I also worry about in terms of projection. These type of average sized, jack of all trades types on the blueline historically have a difficult time finding roles at the NHL level. A guy like Roland McKeown is the perfect example. I did think that Croskery had a terrific U18's for Canada. We saw more from him offensively; a level of assertiveness and confidence with the puck that we didn't see a ton of this year in the Soo. He's a good skater and I think his decision making at both ends improved a lot over the course of the year. He's at his best defensively when he's defending aggressively, denying entries, breaking up passes in the neutral zone. As play shifts down low, he can struggle to contain at times. Could he develop into a Calvin de Haan kind of player? Certainly possible. He's the kind of prospect who can really use these new NCAA eligibility rules to his benefit. Play at least another year in the Soo, then head to Boston College for another three.

27. Vladimir Dravecky - Defense - Brantford Bulldogs

Basically what I said for Croskery goes here too, except Dravecky is a late born '07. I really liked him at the beginning of the year when he was playing a larger role for the Bulldogs. Thought he was flashing some high end skill and showing some jam in the defensive end to make up for a lack of size. The decision making wasn't always the best, but he was willing to activate and take chances. As the year went on, I felt like he went back into a shell as he got pushed down the lineup; as such his impact was generally limited. The mistakes decreased, but so did the offensive production. Which leads me to believe that Dravecky is the kind of defender who'll need to play that high risk/high reward kind of hockey to be successful; at his size and ability level, that may not work well in the NHL. So, I do believe that he has more upside than he showed late in the year, but I also have concerns that he has plateaued from a development perspective. What would his role at the NHL level be?

28. Ryan Brown - Wing - London Knights

What a difference a change of scenery can make. Brown was really struggling with his consistency in Sarnia. His development had really stalled IMO. He really wasn't utilizing teammates well and offensive zone turnovers were a real issue for him as he tried to transform himself into more of a play driver, rather than a high energy complementary piece. In London, we saw him look a lot more comfortable, letting the play come to him rather than forcing it. Quicker decisions with the puck. Getting back to the basics of getting to the net and outworking defenders along the wall. He was one of their best players, if not their best player down the stretch. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad worried about his projection as a high energy middle six type; there's a need for him to get quicker and stronger still. At his size, I wish he were just a little more physical too. That would give him a sort of Michael Bunting type vibe. He's worth a flyer in the mid to late rounds based on the progression he showed in London, but I do wonder if NHL teams bypass him despite a lot of the amateur scouting community buying in.

29. Parker Vaughan - Wing - North Bay Battalion

I thought Vaughan had a really strong finish to the year, elevating his play in the OHL playoffs specifically. He's a fairly projectable player; the tools are solid. He's a winger with a good frame, physical intensity, and a really good wrister. Thought that his physical play really became more consistent late in the season, which in turn, helped drive better production. He has a great shot, but does he have the instincts to utilize it? Goes through dry spells because I find that he can have trouble finding those openings to use his shot. His playmaking vision and decision making with the puck can leave some to be desired too. He's at his best when he keeps things simple. The top speed is solid, but there's room for improvement in his start ups; they're a bit clunky. Overall, you're projecting Vaughan as a possible middle six, complementary scorer.

30. Yevgeni Dubrovtsev - Center - North Battalion

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills in regards to Dubrovtsev because I am always impressed by him, yet NHL Central Scouting doesn't rank him and I haven't seen him mentioned anywhere else. But, I'm sticking to my guns here. Dubrovtsev isn't huge, but he's a really well rounded player. I think he's very efficient in all three zones. Flashes skill in transition and can play with pace. He works hard to earn touches and plays through traffic. He's shifty and quick. Does he currently lack a true standout quality? I would say yes. However, he flashes greater potential offensively and I really hope he sticks it out in the OHL next year and improves. He'd be a very valuable later round pick IMO. His talents were hidden a bit by a lack of ice time.

31. Rowan Henderson - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

This is another player that I'd advocate for in the later rounds. I think that there is a very clear path to a long NHL career for him as a 4th liner and PK'er. He's one of the quickest and better skating players eligible from Ontario this year. His speed is a major asset in puck pursuit especially. Henderson is also physical and assertive, especially in the defensive end. The shot shows promise and I think his goal scoring numbers will slowly increase. He's not going to be a high skill or points guy. The hands don't always work in sync with his feet and he's not able to weaponize his skating the way that you'd want him to offensively. But, he understands that he can impact the game in other ways and I appreciate that. Keep it simple. I look at a guy like Jordan Martinook as a comparable here. Didn't score a ton in junior, but has that elite checking line mentality paired with great skating.

32. Gavin Betts - Goaltender - Kingston Frontenacs

First half of the season Gavin Betts doesn't even make this top 50 given that he's an undersized goalie. For whatever reason, when he returned from the Hlinka/Gretzky (where he played reasonably well IMO), he was really fighting it for a while and that allowed Minchak to shine. Second half of the season? Betts was one of the best goaltenders in the OHL IMO. It was a complete 180. The thing about Betts is that he's so athletic and competitive. He's truly never out of a play. His recovery ability and scramble abilities are great. His highlight package by the time he graduates from the OHL will be insane. I also appreciate how aggressive he is in trying to play the puck. It can be a bit of a nightmare, but this is a lost art these days. If he continues to work at it, it could be a big asset for his team. Otherwise, the things that were said about Fetterolf go for Betts too. There's not a ton of confidence in the scouting community that his skill set translates well to higher levels. He's a smaller goaltender who doesn't always make himself bigger. But, as I said for Fetterolf, he's well worth a draft pick to try to find out. His strong play at the U18's really did him favors too.

33. Adam Levac - Center - Peterborough Petes

Unfortunately for Levac, his season is being remembered more for that terrible slew foot that earned him a long suspension, rather than the fact that he pushed his way up Peterborough's lineup to become their top center. Two things are at the heart of his game. First is his aggressiveness. He's not an in your face physical player per say; not a heavy hitter. But, he plays hard. He's getting to the net. He's involved in board battles. He takes away space defensively and gets under the skin of opponents. The second thing would be his passing touch. This year I was consistently impressed by his ability to find or create passing lanes. He mixes speed well and is not afraid of inviting pressure to open up those lanes. There will probably be folks who'd have Levac higher than 32, but I'm also concerned about his upside. I don't see him as an above average skater. There's room for him to get quicker. Levac is also not a high skill guy or creative. There's that tweener vibe being given off. If you draft Levac high, you're really leaning on him becoming a high end checking line center.

34. Brady Murnane - Defense - Oshawa Generals

I thought Murnane improved a lot over the OHL season and was the most impactful of Oshawa's draft eligible defenders this year. It's not easy playing on a rebuilding team as a stay at home defender, but I liked the progression. His combination of size, mobility, aggressiveness, and smarts are going to definitely attract an NHL team; I'd be shocked if he goes unselected. I don't think Murnane is a high upside guy. His exits improved over the course of the year as he learned he could trust his feet to create space. However, his offensive skill set is pretty limited. What we're talking about here is a third pairing, PK guy who can give you solid minutes and not hurt his team. Every organization needs that. 

35. Joseph Salandra - Wing - Barrie Colts

I love watching Salandra play. That brutal leg injury in the OHL finals was so hard to watch because he's such a tenacious and hard working player. Hopefully he bounces back quickly. What you're getting in Salandra is one of the fiercest physical competitors, pound for pound, in the OHL. He's a relentless physical player. Forecheck. Backcheck. Getting to the net. He will play through you. It's cliche for sure, but he plays way bigger than his size. He's strong. However, Salandra also has some offensive skill and he's certainly not a poor skater. He can create space with his quickness and he surprises defenders on the forecheck with how quickly he can close in on them. Salandra's playmaking touch coming out of the cycle always impresses me; he has great scanning habits. As an NHL player, Salandra would be a bottom six guy. And at his size, he may not get picked. It will be an uphill battle for him. However, I'd advocate pretty heavily for him late because he's one of those guys that I think finds a way.

36. Weston Cameron - Center/Wing - Kitchener Rangers

It was tough to see Cameron healthy scratched for most of the playoff run and Memorial Cup. However, the Rangers depth was just too strong. The start of his year wasn't much luckier either, with that bad infection that cost him the first few months. Obviously, he didn't receive a ton of ice time either. So why do I have him ranked? I think that Cameron has serious boom potential. Huge frame. Knows how to leverage his frame down low and near the crease; just has to get stronger to fight off checks and find consistency. He's a decent skater for a guy his size and I think that as he fills out, his skating could actually become a strength; it's just the power and balance that are lacking. I think Cameron also shows excellent two-way potential and that he could end up playing center, his natural position, down the line. An NHL team would be really wise to use a later round pick on him. Let him gain ice time in Kitchener and then he heads to UMass for three years. In five, you potentially have a 6'4, power pivot who can play both ends of the ice. Or at worst, you could have a Mark Jankowski kind of fourth line center.

37. Maks Corovic - Goaltender - Brantford Bulldogs

I'm extremely intrigued by Corovic. The OJHL's goaltender of the year with Collingwood, also saw spot duty with the Bulldogs and with one of the Canadian entries at the WJAC. I thought he really held his own in his limited OHL appearances, flashing upside because of his quickness and size. If he had played the entire year in the OHL, I wonder if the narrative surrounding him would be different and we'd be seeing him ranked way higher. The big thing for Corovic is learning to harness his size more and control his rebounds. His positioning isn't always sound and he can have trouble securing pucks. That's going to hurt him at higher levels. However, the upside is very high because his more natural gifts are great; gives NHL development staffs a lot to work with. I assume we'll see him as a full time OHL starter next year with Brantford because the Bulldogs already moved out Leenders and Egorov.

38. Caden Harvey - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

I like Harvey. I think the big thing for him is developing a more clear identity on the ice. We see bits and pieces of things. He looks like a borderline power forward at times with his ability to drive the net and work the wall. However, the physical consistency really wavers. His play away from the puck lacks consistency too. He shows flashes of being a very capable offensive support player. He protects the puck well and has good playmaking vision. But, there are other times where he simply fades to the background. The frame and skating are both solid. I mean, there's room for him to get quicker, but it's not a weakness. If you're drafting Harvey, you're really hoping that he unlocks that power winger potential by increasing his physical intensity; developing that dog on a bone mentality. If he does, he could easily be a quality third line player at the NHL level. 

39. Arvin Jaswal - Goaltender - Barrie Colts

Always tough to evaluate back-up netminders in their draft years, especially ones on good teams like Jaswal. But, he was really solid for Barrie when called upon to give Ben Hrebik a break. He's clearly an athletic play tracker. He covers his posts really well. As such, he seals the bottom of the net and has quick pads. Pucks do tend to squeeze through his body and he can have trouble securing point shots or controlling rebounds. I wonder if he has the frame to bulk up a bit to help him look a little bigger/wider in the crease. I'm really curious as to how he'd handle a full starter's load too. Looks like we'll find out next year with Hrebik heading south of the border rather than play an OA year. 

40. Braidy Wassilyn - Wing - London Knights

This is definitely way lower than many have him, but I'm just not sure I'd be comfortable with selecting him anywhere outside of the later rounds. Yes, he was a high OHL pick. He flashed a ton of offensive upside as a rookie with Niagara. However, this wasn't a good year for him. There's no question that his puck skill and shooting ability give him offensive upside. But his game is just so wildly inconsistent, especially in terms of urgency and off puck play. He had a hot start in London, but a lot of those goals and production were due to the hard work or strong play of others. It wasn't soon that he found himself pushed further down the depth chart because it was obvious Dale Hunter wasn't happy with his physical engagement and three zone play. Wassilyn is capable of playing tenaciously. I've seen it. He can be an effective forechecker. He can be a pest physically. But will he ever reach his upside as a high scoring winger? 

41. Zach Jovanovski - Goaltender - Guelph Storm

Jovanovski is just a very efficient netminder. Sometimes that doesn't stand out playing on a retooling Guelph team; he's not the kind of guy who regularly hits the highlight reels. He's not the quickest or best athlete available at the position this year. It's all about making things look easy. He tracks the play well. He controls rebounds well. He squares to shooters and covers his angles. His movement is very refined, he's not a scrambler. At higher levels, there may be some limitations as to how good he can be, but I think NHL teams are going to like how technically sound he is and hope that they can help him unlock another level from an athletic perspective. I don't think he'll ever be an NHL starter, but I think he's a worthwhile later round gamble to see if he could become a reliable back-up or high end organizational depth. 

42. Lucas Ambrosio - Defense - Erie Otters

Ambrosio is going to be drafted higher than this. You can take that to the bank. He's a big, physical, shutdown defender who can skate. He closes gaps really well and is tough to shake in the defensive zone because of his reach and four way quickness. There's defensive upside. My issue is that I just don't think he is capable enough offensively to make a considerable impact at higher levels. Even the best defensive defenders have to be able to make a clean exit under pressure and Ambrosio really struggles with this at times. He can be very turnover prone in his own end. I also wonder about his overall defensive sense too. He can chase the play and take himself out of the action. If you recall, I was lower on David Bedkowski last year too for the same reason. I'd rather a guy like Frossard, who may not be as physically dominant yet, but is more sound with the puck.

43. Wesley Royston - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

At one point this year, I was much higher on Royston. It's rare to find a big winger who brings speed and physicality like Royston does. He can be really effective in transition with his ability to drive the net. He's sort of the prototype, athletically, of what NHL teams want from their fourth line players these days. However, I was really disappointed with his play in Owen Sound after the trade. His offensive game, for a the third year OHL player, really didn't make any strides. He can struggle receiving passes or keeping control at full speed. I don't see him as a natural goal scorer. A lot of plays died on his stick late in the year with the Attack. Like Ambrosio, he's going to be drafted higher than this. He was invited to the combine. But, I'm just not sure he has the offensive skill to be a highly useful NHL player. I hope I'm wrong because the athleticism gives him a chance to be a unique player.

44. Justin Handsor - Defense - Barrie Colts

Handsor would be lumped in with guys like JC Lemieux and Croskery; I really like the player, but I'm not sure about the projection. A future elite defensive player at the OHL level, but given that many components of his skill set are average, how does that carry him forward to the NHL? For the kind of physical defensive first game that he plays, he's pretty competent with the puck. I actually think that he'll breakout a bit offensively next year with a larger role. But, that's not likely to carry over to the pro level. And his size/mobility combination is only average and that'll make it tough for his defensive game to translate too. I'm not sure he's drafted, but as I said, I do like and appreciate the player.

45. Tyler Challenger - Wing - Sarnia Sting

You could honestly do a lot worse than Challenger with a late round dart throw. He's one of those guys who's passing the eye test at times, but simply not hitting the score sheet. His play the last few months of the season definitely caught my eye. He's a power forward that can skate. Those don't grow on trees. I think he has goal scoring upside because he has a heavy shot, he just needs to earn better looks and improve his release. He could be one of those guys who really explodes in the next year or two, as Sarnia improves around him or he finds an organization (OHL or NCAA) who can unlock his upside. He committed to Michigan State recently, but I wonder how impactful he'd be without significant improvements made. An NHL team may take him late because if he were to explode next year, say as a 35 goal scorer in the OHL, they'd have to use a pick earlier than a 7th to select him.

46. Caleb Mitchell - Defense - London Knights

Let the record show that I don't expect Mitchell to be selected. He hasn't showed enough offensively to suggest that he can be an impactful pro at his size. However, when you're getting this late in the draft, you're looking for players with one elite quality that they can build around. Mitchell is a terrific skater. His four way mobility and ability to play off his edges is one of the best among defenders in this Ontario class. As he earns the trust of Dale Hunter, what can Mitchell transform himself into? An elite two-way guy like Jared Spurgeon? An offensively oriented puck mover and powerplay quarterback? It's tough to project him right now given his inconsistent ice time and responsibility. When he did play big minutes, he was more safe and simply trying to stay out of the doghouse given London's blueline depth. Curious to see how he develops next year.

47. Matthew Humphries - Goaltender - Oshawa Generals

Circumstance is such a huge part of getting noticed for the draft. Humphries was sent down by Niagara and looked destined to play the year in Tier 2. But then the Generals came calling for his rights. And then the Generals suffered some injuries at the goaltending position and he got his second chance. He came out like gangbusters for the Generals and was literally stopping everything. He looked downright unbeatable at times through his first month with the team. Later in the year, it seemed like he hit a wall and the league got a book on him...plus the Generals kind of packed it in a bit and he was facing a lot of high end chances on a nightly basis. Humphries is a big netminder with a high compete level. Could stand to use his size a little more to his advantage by refining his movements and scrambling less, but he can be tough to beat when he's tracking the play and challenging shooters. Room for him to improve in a lot of areas, but there's some raw talent there in a big frame.

48. Aiden O'Donnell - Wing - Oshawa Generals

After a hot start to the year with Brantford, it seemed like O'Donnell was earning a lot of high praise as a potential top two round selection. But, I wasn't really on board with that talk and I'm even less so after an inconsistent run with Oshawa to close the year. To me, O'Donnell lacks a standout quality. I think he struggled with his identity in Oshawa in particular. In Brantford, he was asked to be the third wheel on his line and he was able to do the dirty work and keep things simple. In Oshawa, he was tasked with having to drive play and be an offensive catalyst and he struggled. The one thing that's close to a standout quality is the hockey sense; he's a smart player. We saw that in his time in Brantford and it showed in flashes in Oshawa. I think he'll end up being a solid two-way winger who can play in any situation. But, the skating, skill, and physicality all need to tick up. 

49. Ondrej Ruml - Defense - Ottawa 67's

I kind of see Ruml like a poor man's Jakub Fibigr. Similar kinds of players. Similar difficulty with NHL projection. Only Fibigr, at least IMO, is the better skater. Ruml was definitely solid as an OHL rookie and I hope he sticks in the league next year and continues to develop. However, I don't think he has the dynamic abilities to be a true offensive type at higher levels. And while I appreciate his competitiveness despite his slight frame, he's going to have a tough time defending at the pro level. Given how few smaller defenders are drafted these days, it seems unlikely that Ruml hears his name called. That said, if you're drafting Ruml it's because you like his well rounded game and physical intensity, and you hope that as he bulks up and matures physically, that components of his game really progress.

50. Quinn McKenzie - Center - Soo Greyhounds

I really enjoyed watching McKenzie play this year as a rookie with the Greyhounds. He's such a high impact player in transition. He reminds me a bit of when you hit the Go-Kart track; the foot is always down on the gas pedal...no brakes allowed (despite what the signs ask you to do). He's fearless for his size too. Definitely not a perimeter player. The skill and playmaking ability are legit; he's going to be a high scoring player in the OHL and eventually in College. However, he's just so small. Yeah, he's the kind of dynamic skater and creative player that you need to be at that size, but he's easily separated from the puck at times and not as impactful in the defensive zone. Maybe he's Mats Zuccarello? But, he had to work his way up as an undrafted player. It's going to likely be that way for McKenzie too.

2026 NHL Draft Re-Entries - Top 20 Ranking

It's that time of the year for my annual list of the top second and third year eligible OHL players for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. 

Previous versions:

(2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009) 

NHL teams continue to draft re-entry players in increasing number. This is mostly because drafting a second or third year eligible player gives NHL teams a lot of flexibility in their development under the CBA. Plus, a lot of these guys have been having success in the last decade (Andrew Mangiapane, Tanner Pearson, Sean Durzi, and Colin Miller as legitimate NHL players are great examples from the OHL), which basic psychology tells us that other NHL teams will try to mimic. We also have some quality NHL prospects from the OHL that fall under that umbrella like Amadeus Lombardi, Florian Xhekaj, and Dylan Roobroeck. 

Additionally, I would expect the number of re-entry players selected from the CHL to increase even more over the next few years because CHL players are now eligible to play College, extending their signing/development window. As such, as the talent pool (and candidate list) grows, I've decided to extend this ranking to a Top 20.

Just to clarify, yet again, for those with limited understanding of the NHL draft system; North American players have either two or three years to get drafted, depending on their birth date. For those born from January 1 to September 15, they will go through three NHL drafts. For those born from September 16 to December 31, they will go through two NHL drafts. The players on this list are a mix of those having been passed over once or twice already.

Also, do not confuse this list with players drafted in 2024 who will re-enter the draft should they fail to come to a contractual agreement with their NHL team by June 1 (and whose birth date still allows them to be eligible). Quite often those too are referred to as draft re-entries. But this list does not contain them because it is not yet known who those players will be.

This year's crop is OK by re-entry standards. Some other regions have better top end talent available, but Kostov and Barabanov have a chance to be top 100 selections. And I do think that there is a chance seven or eight of the players on this list are taken somewhere.

Without further rambling, here's my list:

1. Alex Kostov - Center/Wing - Flint Firebirds

It probably shocks some to not see Barabanov at number one, but I personally prefer Kostov. I think his game has a chance to translate to the pro level better. His skating has come a long way over his OHL career. He's also had an intriguing blend of size, power, and skill, but the upgrades made to his quickness and top speed have made him a really difficult guard in transition. He was a real difference maker for the surprise Flint Firebirds this year. Kostov also brings physicality, effort away from the puck, and versatility because he can play in any situation. I don't think that he's a top six player at higher levels. And I don't really think that he's a center at higher levels; his power and aggressiveness likely plays better on the wing. However, as mentioned, I believe that he can be a quality role player with a game tailored perfectly to the modern NHL. These are the kinds of guys NHL teams want on their third or fourth line right now. 

2. Egor Barabanov - Center - Saginaw Spirit

I think that there's a pretty good chance that Barabanov is the top re-entry selected; public rankings suggest that and my conversations suggest that. Look, it's easy to see why. Barabanov is a highly skilled playmaker. He's really dangerous coming out of the cycle because he escapes pressure so well, keeps plays alive, and has good vision and execution as a passer. And while he's not large or exceptionally strong on the puck, he's a pretty hard worker in the offensive end who earns touches. He had such a good year with Saginaw, developing chemistry with Klepov and Zhilkin and earning all the ice time that he could handle. He decommitted from Penn State earlier this year, but I'd actually really like to see him recommit somewhere. I think a few years in the NCAA would really help him. My issues with Barabanov stem from the fact that I'm not as confident that his offensive skill set translates extremely well to the NHL level without high end skating ability at his size. His ability to execute down low will be neutralized at higher levels without some physical/athletic upgrades. He's also not a terrific two-way player who I'm not sure NHL organizations will see sticking down the middle. Without question, he has the highest upside of any player on this list. But he's a true boom/bust guy for me and I'd feel a lot better using a pick outside the first three rounds on him, than one inside.

3. Ben Hrebik - Goaltender - Barrie Colts

I had Hrebik ranked pretty highly last year on this list but a poor end to the year and playoffs really made NHL organizations hesitate. He returned this year and was consistently one of the OHL's best and a top candidate for goaltender of the year. I think he's upgraded his play tracking ability and has worked to refine his movements to limit some of the weaker goals that plagued him late last year. He's got size. He's athletic. He's shown improvement technically. This is a potential pro netminder. I was pretty surprised to see NHL Central Scouting move him down their final list. He should be an NHL pick IMO and it would be a mistake to let him go through another draft unclaimed.

4. Ben Wilmott - Wing - Barrie Colts

Wilmott was great in London to start the year, but his game truly took off following the deal to Barrie. He's one of those players who is best described as a coaches' dream. He's not exceptionally skilled or creative. However, he's a hard worker and he's a smart and effective three zone player. His well rounded skill set is supported by a really strong understanding of how to work without the puck. Wilmott is one of those guys that the puck seems to gravitate towards inside the offensive zone. He gets so many looks inside the home plate area because he routinely beats defenders to spots or slips coverage. He finishes well thanks to a quick release too. However, Wilmott also makes quick decisions with the puck and makes an effort to funnel action towards the middle. Projection wise, there could be concern that he's more of a tweener without a true future role at the pro level. But, I see enough quality components for him to be worthy of a draft selection. Select him and let him develop into a high end NCAA player at Ohio State.

5. Matthew Minchak - Goaltender - Kingston Frontenacs

What a find Minchak was for the Frontenacs; a free agent signing out of the U.S. AAA loop (with the Pittsburgh Penguins elite program). Early on in the year Gavin Betts was really fighting it and Minchak took over the starting role, providing excellent goaltending for the Fronts. I feel like he ran out of steam towards the end of the year, which coincided with a return to form by Betts, but he still has some really intriguing tools wrapped up in a huge frame. He tracks the play well and he's calm/composed in the crease. The key for him is to add some mass to that lanky frame to help him improve his quickness and to help him prevent those squeakers through the body. I've made the comparison to former Greyhound Matt Murray a few times this year and I think it's apt. He's committed to Colgate and by the end of his NCAA run, he could end up being a quality NHL netminding prospect.

6. Jasper Kuhta - Center - Ottawa 67's

Kuhta had a terrific year for the 67's, leading them in goal scoring as a first year Import. That's no fluke either. He's got a wicked shot. He can really rifle the puck. However, he's not just a threat with the one timer, he scores the greasy ones too, getting to the net and hunting loose pucks. When you combine the frame, the shot, and the work rate, you have a really interesting prospect. Kuhta's strong performance at the WJC's for Finland was bound to turn some heads too, especially among upper management times who may advocate for him in the mid to later rounds. The issue that I have with Kuhta is that his skating needs a lot of work for a double overager (in draft terms). There's less runway for improvement there. I'm just not sure how he'd handle the pace of the pro game. Don't get me wrong, I like him as a pick. But, he's more of a mid/late round guy as opposed to an earlier round option the way that I know some have him ranked, as the top or, at worst, the second ranked re-entry from the OHL.

7. Dryden Allen - Defense - Flint Firebirds

At one point in time, Allen was considered one of the top 2007 born defenders in Ontario, however after he elected to head south of the border to the USHL, some of that hype died down and Allen went unselected last year. Now in the OHL this year, he played a key role for the Flint Firebirds and Allen may have put himself back on the draft radar. Let’s not discount that he was one of the youngest players eligible last year too. Lots of physical development left. Allen plays a heady and mature two-way game from the blueline. He’s a calming presence on the back-end who can kickstart the breakout and excel in a defensive role. He’s not a high skill player. As he moves up the ladder, don’t expect significant offensive production. However, he’s a no nonsense defensive player with good four way mobility. That bodes well for his ability to continue to play that role as he moves to Michigan State soon. Have to wonder if NHL teams are eyeing him in the later rounds this year in hopes that he could develop into a modern day shutdown type.

8. Parker Von Richter - Defense - Barrie Colts

Not sure I saw this breakout offensive season from Von Richter coming. But kudos to him for working on his game and becoming one of the OHL's best two-way defenders. He's been so good for Barrie down the stretch and into the playoffs. He’s worked hard the last two years to improve his mobility and his decision making with the puck. He can still be prone to some mistakes with the puck in the defensive zone, but he’s become a very reliable option inside the opposing blueline. He does a great job getting shots through traffic; he has a quick little half slapper that he loves to use. He shows poise walking the line and has been aggressive in jumping up in the play or leading the rush. Of course, he’s still a physical defender who likes to take away space and who possesses a high IQ in his own end. He was named as one of the top defensive defenders in the OHL Coaches Poll. Just as I was when he was originally draft eligible, I’m a bit skeptical of his NHL projection given the average size/physical tools, but he’s developed very well and could be on the radar of NHL teams because of that.

9. Stepan Shurygin - Goaltender - Saginaw Spirit

I actually think that there is a world where Shurygin is the first re-entry taken from the OHL and/or the first netminder taken from the OHL. Obviously from my ranking of him here, that's not something I'd agree with, but I can see the reasoning. NHL organizations are going to see Shurygin as a blank canvas. It's rare to find the kind of athleticism he possesses in a 6'5 netminder. He can make some really other worldly saves and he can have games where he looks unbeatable. However, the technical components need a lot of work; he's prone to some really ugly performances and goals. Sometimes I really wonder about his tracking ability. But that's why I referred to him as a blank canvas. Under the right tutelage, you have to hope those things can improve. For me, I'd just feel a lot more comfortable with him as a later round gamble than an earlier round one. 

10. Andre Mondoux - Defense - Kingston Frontenacs

Power is the name of the game here. Mondoux is a big bodied defender (6’4, 200+lbs) who was largely terrific for the Frontenacs this year in a defensive role as an OHL rookie. The Notre Dame commit is a tough competitor. He closes gaps quickly and hard. He’s also very aggressive physically below the goal line, almost always initiating contact to help him secure possession or separate a man from the puck. Sometimes he gets out of position defensively from chasing the big hit, but his recovery ability thanks to his length and good mobility is solid. NHL teams are going to love the impact he has at shutting down the transition game of the opposition with his length, solid feet, and physical approach. Offensively, he shows flashes of higher upside and I do wonder if that part of his game could grow further in the NCAA over a few years. Even if it doesn’t, he has some intriguing athletic qualities that could make him a solid depth piece.

11. Illia Shybinskyi - Wing - Guelph Storm

A Ukrainian player who showed significant improvement over the course of the year. Oozes skill and creativity. Routinely extends plays with his hands and feet, which work perfectly in sync with each other. Exciting transitional attacker. He's not big, but you have to admire his work ethic. He can bring a physical element and he works hard to earn touches. If he were bigger and it were easier to project his game to the NHL level, he'd be in the top five of players on this list. As is, I might want to see a full year of him performing at a high level. 

12. Darian Anderson - Wing - Flint Firebirds

Big winger came in and had a large impact in his rookie OHL season, developing tremendous chemistry with Jimmy Lombardi and Nathan Aspinall, especially in the playoffs. The Clarkson commit is a really solid complementary piece. He skates pretty well for a big man. He drives the middle and excels near the crease. He works the wall well and supports the cycle. He's not a high upside player as a pro, but he has attributes that could make him a quality bottom six option in the future. 

13. Sebastian Gatto - Goaltender - London Knights

I was really surprised to see Gatto left off of NHL Central Scouting's final rankings. He was revelation for London this year given Medvedev's struggles. He's got size, quickness, and he tracks the play well. The Dartmouth commit could be a very interesting add to an NHL organization in the later rounds this year based off of his improvements this year. 

14. Carson Woodall - Defense - Windsor Spitfires

What a tremendous season for Woodall, who was named a finalist for the Max Kaminsky as the defenseman of the year. Went from being a solid, dependable two-way guy, to one of the league's highest scoring defenders. This saw him secure a commitment to Boston College too. As far as his NHL projection goes, it's a little murkier. You could make way worse picks in the later rounds. But, he's also one of those average sized defenders who don't do anything at an elite level. That's often a tough sell for NHL scouts.

15. Cooper Dennis - Wing - Brantford Bulldogs

Dennis is such a fun player to watch. He's really added a dynamic layer of secondary scoring to this Brantford team. For my money, he's one of the most individually skilled and creative players in the league. That said, he's also tiny. And he's been way less of a factor late into the year and into the playoffs. If he were 6'0, I'd be less worried about that. But, given that he's already undersized, that's going to be a big talking point. He's probably going to have to be a guy who works his way up every level and has to prove himself. Excited to see him at Michigan.

16. Jeremy Martin - Wing - Soo Greyhounds

What you see if what you get here. The Greyhounds were smart to acquire him because he fit in really well with their playing style and supporting cast. Martin knows his role is to apply pressure, earn touches through hard work, and get to the net to finish off plays. The perfect complement. If the playmaking ability and skill components of his game can tick up greater, he could have an NHL future.

17. Cohen Bidgood - Wing - London Knights

Skating and compete are the two calling cards of Bidgood. He's a really impressive skater; extremely agile and quick out of pivots/off his edges. He's also a pest who works hard to earn looks near the crease. I actually expect him to get drafted given the trust NHL scouts have in London's coaching staff to develop players like Bidgood. However, I'm just not sure he's entirely skilled enough or big enough to play the kind of game he will need to play at the NHL level. Thought that was kind of magnified in this year's first round against the Soo.

18. Tristan Delisle - Center - Owen Sound Attack

Through the first half of this year, I would have pegged Delisle for a spot in the top five of this annual list. However, much like the rest of Owen Sound, his game hit a wall later in the year and he faded to the background a bit. At his best, Delisle is a tenacious and intelligent two-way pivot. There's a world where he could be a Nic Dowd kind of player with some continued improvement to his skating.

19. Aiden Young - Wing - Peterborough Petes

Young had a solid year for the Petes, providing primary scoring. He visibly worked hard to improve his quickness this past offseason as he came back this year looking like a more dynamic skater. However, I'd want to see more consistent offensive production from him. Jack of all trades type who is tougher to project to higher levels because of that.

20. Julian Brown - Defense - Owen Sound Attack

No nonsense, throwback style of defender. Classic stay at home type. Average skater for his size, but he excels defending down low and near the crease. Very physical. As a 2006 born, how much more can he improve? I could see why an NHL team might be interested, but I think that there are more athletic stay at home types available this year with more room to grow.

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings for 2026

As per usual for this time of year, NHL Central Scouting has released their final rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. See below for comments and notes.

Here's the list:

(LINK)

Here's the Full list:

(LINK)

Risers

Spencer Bowes - +150 (Previously Unranked)

Ben Wilmott - +94

Maksim Sokolovskii - +92

Eric Frossard - +83

JC Lemieux - +81

Parker Vaughan - +58

Alex Kostov - +44

Ryan Brown +41 (Previously Unranked)

Darian Anderson +39 (Previously Unranked)

Julian Brown -+28

Jaxon Cover - +16

Fallers

Jacob Xu -113 (Not Ranked)

Ben Reisnecker -95 (Not Ranked)

Elliot Arnett -93

Nathan Amidovski -61

Layne Gallacher -57

Rylan Singh -57

Shaan Kingwell -55 (Not Ranked)

Braidy Wassilyn -55

Matej Stankoven -53 (Not Ranked)

Ondrej Ruml -52

Callum Croskery -51

Colin Feeley -46

Colin Fitzgerald -41

Aiden O'Donnell -34

Carter Stevens -31

Alex McLean -30

Aiden Young -30

Wesley Royston -29

Beckham Edwards -23

Alessandro Di Iorio -22

Some Comments:

- I mean, I guess it's not shocking to see players on poor teams or disappointing teams among the largest fallers. NHL Central Scouting was particularly hard on the Guelph Storm, Owen Sound Attack, and Sarnia Sting players. But, it's also hard to deny the justification.

- Great to see Spencer Bowes and Maks Sokolovskii rewarded with big jumps. Hugely justified and both will be ranked aggressively by me in my final rankings.

- A little shocked to see Cali and Bilecki get limited love. Both were big second half risers for me. 

- Definitely shocked to see Yevgeni Dubrovtsev left off the list. That's a big miss IMO. He's very worthy of a spot and is one of the most underrated draft prospects from this crop. He had a great second half for North Bay.

- Also surprised to see Sebastian Gatto and Parker Von Richter left off as re-entries considering how many other second and third year eligible players got love. Both had terrific developmental years.

- If we had to discuss one guy that I have much lower and one guy that I'll have much higher it would probably be Vladimir Dravecky and Rowan Henderson. Dravecky faded in the second half for me and I have a little trouble with his projection at this point, especially as a late born 2007. I was pretty surprised to see him not one of the big fallers. He's not usually the kind of defender NHL Central Scouting likes. And Henderson, the counting stats aren't there. And yeah, he's also a late born 2007. But there's just something about his game that is extremely projectable. Top notch speed. High energy. I think he'll be a guy who gets a lot better in the next few years. I don't think he's a top three round pick, but I don't think he's a draft after thought where Central Scouting has him. Could see him developing into a Jordan Martinook kind of player. 

- I think it's really interesting to see that both Caleb Mitchell and Carter Hicks were left unranked by Central Scouting, but Hockey Canada saw enough from them to bring them to the U18's. I have to admit, I'm more on the side of Central Scouting here and I was pretty shocked to see both guys on the roster over some others available. Mitchell's skating ability obviously gives him a big advantage. And there's also no guarantee that both are on the final roster if other players become available.

Preliminary Media/Scout Top 10 for 2026

Time for the first media/scout poll for the 2026 NHL Draft!

For those unfamiliar with how this works, I poll many of the OHL's brightest minds; those who cover the league incredibly well and know the OHL inside, and out. These contributors supply me with their top 10 available players from the OHL, in addition to some comments. I then put it all together and provide you with a cumulative list. Call it "the consensus."

How this crop is viewed is ever changing. The depth from the OHL is extremely solid this year thanks to the influx of NCAA committed players. The top end talent available is also solid with four players that have a chance to be top ten selections. But the middle? That remains to be seen and will depend on how these players finish out their seasons. 

As always, this list involves contributions from a rather colourful cast of characters. Contributing their rankings and thoughts to this preliminary list for 2026 were:

Corey Pronman - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@coreypronman)

Dominic Tiano - Writer for The OHL Writers (@dominictiano)

Mike Morreale - Staff writer for NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL)

Ryan Kennedy - Editor in Chief for The Hockey News (@THNRyanKennedy)

Scott Wheeler - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@scottcwheeler)

Peter Baracchini - Draft Content at The Hockey Writers (@PBaracchini)

Kaeden Ireland - Video Scout at McKeen’s Hockey (@Kaeden25075788)

Steven Ellis - Prospect Analyst for Daily Faceoff (@SEllisHockey)

Kyle Watson - Content Creator at McKeen's Hockey (@kyle_nw)

Rocco Zappia - Co-Host of the Punk Bunker, Independent Scout (@ScoutRocco)

Darren Boyce - Co-Host of the Punk Bunker, Independent Scout (@PuckBunkerBoyce)

and of course...myself (@BrockOtten)

 

Here's the List:

1. Chase Reid - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

Highest Ranking: 1st (9x)

Lowest Ranking: 2nd (3x)

Total Votes: 12

Comments:

"Reid's talent and offence will carry him in the NHL but he’s also got real development in front of him despite being a late birthday as well, with a frame that will fill out and a developing defensive game." - Anonymous

"You don’t find a right hand shot, mobile puck moving defender with his offensive acumen and vision and not have him high on any list. Every time he has the puck, he has an aggressive mindset, be it in transition carrying the play or on the cycle in the offensive zone. He’s always in activation mode, using his feet and agility well and even when he’s on the point, he’s always in motion and shifting his body to break free from pressure and find those prime shooting lanes. He’s a great passer to spot seams and lanes, but also has a shooters mentality and isn’t afraid to pass on them. Defensively, his aggressive mindset carries over, stepping up to challenge attackers and cut down lanes and a great reach to disrupt plays. He’s reliable and effective and it shows." - Peter Baracchini

"Reid was so impressive to me filling in for Cole Hutson when the latter missed two games due to injury for the United States at the World Junior Championship. He plays a poised and polished game, defends well, will battle hard for pucks, and can quarterback a power play, as he did in a big spot for the U.S. in the absence of Hutson." - Mike Morreale

"Reid always does a good job of slowing things down when it’s needed. He’s a good puck distributor who makes great heads-up passes from his own zone, and he has the defensive awareness to get back after skating up the ice for a rush. I love how he elevates his game against tougher competition – the World Juniors and the recent OHL Top Prospects Game helped prove that. Reid makes excellent moves with the puck, especially on the power play. Reid is in the running to become the first defenseman taken this June. I’d be shocked if he’s not taken by, say, the sixth pick." - Steven Ellis

"Reid’s offensive toolkit is one of the most impressive I’ve seen from an OHL defender in recent years, second only to Zayne Parekh and Matthew Schaefer. His shot is a real weapon; his 18 goals have come from a variety of areas, forcing opponents to respect him as a primary scoring threat. He’s a terrific skater who manipulates defenders at the blueline and in one-on-one situations. What’s impressed me most, though, is how he’s made this Greyhounds team his own this season. He’s proven reliable, if not outright excellent, in all situations and given himself a good chance at being the first defenceman off the board in June." - Kyle Watson

"I may be an outlier here with Reid as my 2nd ranked OHL prospect and that decision ultimately came down to risk tolerance. Reid’s highlight reel speaks for itself, yet I still see instances that give me some pause for concern. While he has improved immensely in the DZ, he is still prone to the odd head-scratcher in terms of decision making that results in a high-quality chance against. The tools are there to be an impact player in his own end, but it’s a work in progress and I feel like you may just need to be prepared to let the good outweigh the bad. I’m also not sure that I see a truly world-class puck mover here - it’s very good, make no mistake, yet I go back-and-forth a bit as to whether I project him as an Elite PP1 guy, an average PP1 guy, or an elite PP2 guy at the NHL level. All of which would be fantastic end-results in a vacuum, but when we’re discussing a potential Top 5 pick these are legitimate discussions that teams will have." - Rocco Zappia

"The highest-upside player in the OHL draft class, with clear #1 power-play quarterback potential. His combination of size and skating projection is elite, and his skating and puck handling allow him to generate clean breakouts and controlled entries with ease. There are still notable concerns defensively. His physical engagement is inconsistent, and he’s prone to the kind of major, game-to-game gaffe that he’ll need to eliminate at the pro level. As a 6’3 right-shot offensive defenseman with power-play-driving ability, this is a rare archetype. Right now, he projects more comfortably as a second-pair defenseman who can run a power play, but improved decision-making could absolutely push him into true first-pair territory — and that’s a bet teams won’t be able to pass on." - Darren Boyce

"The word dynamic just so perfectly describes Reid. He's such an aggressive and intelligent offensive attacker. While there's still a need to pick his spots a little better, he's too good at finding soft spots in coverage for that to be classified as a concern regarding his "IQ." I have absolutely no concerns about the offensive game translating. He's a potential top powerplay quarterback at the NHL level. Defensively, it's going to be about how much he can increase his physical consistency and focus. I think back to a guy like Thomas Harley in his draft year and there were similar concerns. By the time he aged out, those concerns were no longer present and I think Reid can follow a similar kind of development path as a defensive work horse." - Brock Otten

2. Caleb Malhotra - Center - Brantford Bulldogs

Highest Ranking: 1st (3x)

Lowest Ranking: 3rd (1x)

Total Votes: 12

Comments:

"There will be a bit of a premium placed on Malhotra at the draft because he's one of the few elite centers available this season. His numbers in Brantford have been awesome, especially given their veteran depth, and he has the frame and skills to be a difference-maker in the future." - Ryan Kennedy

"I’ve probably gone back and forth multiple times between Caleb Malhotra and Chase Reid for the top spot, but I’m giving the edge to Malhotra. He has just been a model of consistency on both sides of the puck this season. He has been extremely productive, but his ability to read and adapt to situations easily makes him a real threat. He knows when to attack with his speed, sneak in undetected to the open ice and can put pressure on players when he doesn’t have the puck and always puts himself in a great spot to be open. He has the speed to catch defenders off guard on the rush and his playmaking vision is outstanding; spotting seams easily, opening lanes up to attack and can make solid off look passes to fool defenders. He’s a gifted two-way centre and produces like one." - Peter Baracchini

"Caleb Malhotra is perhaps the most improved player from this draft class through the 25-26 OHL season. He’s very athletic and has gotten faster, allowing him to push the pace on the rush and use his hands with speed. I believe he’s clearly established himself as the number one C in the class and projects to be a high-end 2C or fringe 1C." - Kaeden Ireland

"Malhotra is an intelligent, two‑way forward who plays a detail‑driven game built on pace and competitiveness. He’s a strong skater with a quick first few steps, allowing him to pressure defenders, win races, and stay above pucks defensively. Malhotra shows good instincts in the offensive zone, supporting plays in motion and making fast, efficient reads that keep possession alive. His puck touches are clean, and he’s comfortable attacking off the wall or driving the middle with speed. Away from the puck, he’s reliable—engaged on the backcheck, responsible in his routes, and willing to battle in tight areas. As he continues to add strength and assertiveness, Malhotra projects as a versatile, high‑motor forward with the tools to impact the game in all three zones." - Dominic Tiano

"Some scouts think Malhotra could be the first center taken. His ability to wait out opponents before making a last-second pass into a scoring lane is unmatched. Malhotra is a great skater who plays a strong two-way game and loves getting involved physically, as well. Malhotra’s hockey IQ is among the best you’ll find in this class, and he’s a tremendous passer, too. Scouts are still wondering if he can be a first-line center – but most say, at minimum, he’ll be a second-liner." - Steven Ellis

"Every time I watch Malhotra, he’s playing with more confidence. That’s been the story of his season as he’s climbed both the OHL scoring leaderboard and draft rankings. His game is driven by intelligence and puck-carrying ability. He uses his long reach effectively and has strong puck skills. As his skating has improved, he’s become increasingly difficult to contain. Playing on a team as talented as the Bulldogs has done wonders for his development, and I don’t think his point totals are being inflated by being on an offensive juggernaut. He’s driving his own line and has been a constant threat below the goalline on their top powerplay unit. If he maintains this trajectory during Brantford’s Memorial Cup push, he could easily go top-five or higher." - Kyle Watson

"Talk about a guy who has taken leaps and bounds this season in terms of upwards progression. Malhotra’s bread-and-butter would be his detailed and pro-style two-way game, yet it’s been the offensive trajectory that’s really gotten me excited about this prospect lately. Every time I watch him he seems to be either improving on, if not outright adding, an element to his game. While there have been questions about his ultimate offensive upside, including from yours truly earlier this season, I feel like those questions are unfounded at this point and we’re looking at a kid who is just scratching the surface of his ultimate potential. An emerging threat as both a shooter and a passer, it’s his small-area hockey sense that really stands out to me. In my opinion, this will be the first C drafted this year, as well as the first player off the board for the OHL. In a Draft bemoaned for a perceived lack of high-end C prospects, there just may be one hiding in Brantford." - Rocco Zappia

"I've said it a million times in my years of draft coverage, but the last thing you want in a draft eligible player is complacency; that concept of plateauing. Malhotra has been the antithesis of that this season and it's why he might just end up being a top five pick. At the beginning of the season, I was a little hesitant to rank him high because I didn't have a great read on his offensive upside. But it seems like every month he's added new layers to his game. He's improved his explosiveness and pace. He's improved his on puck confidence and creativity. He's become increasingly physical and pest like. If Malhotra has an outstanding OHL playoffs for Brantford and helps them capture a title, does he emerge as a top three candidate just like Desnoyers last year? There's really nothing to dislike in Malhotra's game at this point." - Brock Otten

3. Ethan Belchetz - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Highest Ranking: 2nd (1x)

Lowest Ranking: 3rd (11x)

Total Votes: 12

Comments:

" I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't worry about Belchetz only dominating junior because of his size, because he will still be one of the biggest players in the NHL once he gets there. Will be interesting to see if he does a year in NCAA first." - Ryan Kennedy

"Belchetz's smarts off the puck are underrated. He positions himself well to score and leads the OHL class in goals despite being pretty snake-bitten on the doorstep through stretches of the new year. He plays a strong, supportive, complementary game, and I’m almost certain he’ll be an asset to an NHL top six." - Kaeden Ireland

"His identity might not be fully established until he gets to the NHL. Many project him as a power forward at the next level, but he's working on other aspects of his game to become more than that, just as Porter Martone did in three OHL seasons. He’s made noticeable improvements to his footwork and agility, and his hands look faster. He's tough to handle down low and is real strong in the blue paint." - Mike Morreale

"I had Belchetz up much higher back in November, but a slight cooling-off period, as well as a couple of underwhelming showcase events, led to Belchetz falling a bit. Still, that doesn’t change what I like about him. He’s a productive forward who loves to shoot the puck. At 6-foot-5 and nearly 230 pounds, he’s absolutely massive, too. One knock against him is his lackluster skating, and it doesn’t seem like he’ll be a play-driver at the next level. But as a second-line wrecking ball, there’s a lot to love." - Steven Ellis

"An absolute monster of a human being, Belchetz gives you an extremely high floor combined with some decent offensive upside, plus the size & strength that teams can’t get enough during a long playoff run. The question here is are we looking at an elite offensive player, or more of a complimentary piece, and I would tend to veer towards the latter. That said, the old adage of “big guys take longer” needs to be kept in mind here and I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a big jump in terms of offensive impact as he gets older." - Rocco Zappia

"His net-front ability is elite. He generates offence through power moves around the crease, tips, deflections, and second-chance opportunities, and he’s very comfortable operating in traffic. His skating has improved to the point where it’s no longer a major concern, and increased strength has already enhanced his effectiveness in physical areas of the ice. There’s still another step to gain in both burst and strength, but the progression inspires confidence that he can reach that level. This is a prospect who has shown meaningful improvement and should be in demand for teams building playoff-ready lineups. While continued strength development will be important to solidify a long-term top-six role, he already projects as a hard, effective winger who complements skilled line-mates and can contribute offence when games tighten up." - Darren Boyce

4. Adam Novotny - Wing - Peterborough Petes

Highest Ranking: 4th (12x)

Lowest Ranking: -

Total Votes: 12

Comments:

"He had a bit of slow start to the season but Adam Novotny has continued to progress and standout any chance he can get. He is extremely competitive, displays a motor and work ethic that just won’t quit. He relies on his smarts and compete more than his skill as he can be impactful on both sides of the puck. He reacts quickly to prioritize defense and helps out on the back-check and zones in on attackers to force mistakes and turn the puck over. He’s physical in terms of getting the inside track to win battles and can make plays quickly and efficiently when dealing with pressure. He has a great shot and does damage in small spaces as he has great puck skills." - Peter Baracchini

"Real good speed and quickness for a guy with his frame (6-1, 204). His motor and compete level are off the charts and he has soft hands, good touch around the net and a high hockey IQ. His 200-foot game is improving." - Mike Morreale

"Adam Novotny is a smart, pace‑driven forward who brings energy, detail, and strong two‑way habits to every shift. He plays with a quick, attacking mindset, using his skating to pressure defenders, win races, and stay involved in transition. Novotny supports the puck well in all three zones, showing the awareness to slide into soft areas and make himself available as an outlet, while also tracking back responsibly and taking good routes on the backcheck. His puck touches are clean, and he moves play efficiently, favoring quick give‑and‑go sequences and simple, effective decisions that keep the Petes on the front foot. As he continues to add strength and confidence with the puck, Novotny projects as a reliable, high‑motor forward contributing in a variety of roles." - Dominic Tiano

"A bit of a “coaches dream” type player, Novotny can be relied upon in pretty much any situation. He combines a high-end motor with an excellent stick and great details. He has good hockey sense which makes me think he may actually be able to play higher in the lineup than the sum of his offensive tools might suggest. At worst, we have a high-floor player who projects as a pretty safe 3rd line type guy. At best, we are looking at a player who can play in your Top 6 who can contribute with his forechecking, two-way play, and above-average all-around offensive abilities." - Rocco Zappia

"He’s an extremely intelligent forechecker who fits seamlessly into a pro-style system. He consistently creates turnovers and drives possession for his team, projecting as a very high-floor player who should be an effective NHL contributor. He’s comfortable contributing offensively in multiple ways, including on the cycle, off the rush, and along the half boards. The most intriguing part of his offensive profile is the diversity of ways he can generate offence.  While none of his tools are truly elite, he’s a difficult player to defend because of how effectively he processes the game and solves problems. Continued growth as a confident playmaker, and not just reverting to the defensive side on every occasion, will be important if he’s going to push into a top-six role. As it stands, he projects as a reliable middle-six NHL winger with upside." - Darren Boyce

"The kind of guy NHL teams are going to love more than amateur public scouts. He plays the game "hard." There's that projection here where you have a player who is a 45 point guy in the regular season, but a near point per game guy in the playoffs. He's built for that kind of hockey. Powerful. Physically engaged. Excels in high traffic areas. There are going to be NHL teams who have him ranked ahead of Belchetz and I truly believe that he could end up being taken in the top eight with a strong finish to the OHL season." - Brock Otten

5. Nikita Klepov - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Highest Ranking: 5th (6x)

Lowest Ranking: 10th (1x)

Total Votes: 12

Comments:

"Nikita Klepov is as creative and deceptive with the puck as they come. He’s constantly pushing the play at a fast pace and is always making moves without breaking stride. He’s a strong puck facilitator and play generator as he always wants to be involved and make something happen. Even though there are times where he may not be as engaging, he bides his time as his speed allows him to quickly pounce on loose pucks and extend zone time. He can weave his way through traffic and always does a great job to push the high danger areas and always makes himself available without it. While he’s known for his playmaking, he’s an underrated shooter." - Peter Baracchini

"Smarts, compete, skills - Klepov has it all. He looks very likely to be a well-rounded middle-6 forward who can get results on the top PP. His athleticism is holding him back from a top-6 projection in my opinion." - Kaeden Ireland

"Klepov was recently one of the top performers at the OHL Top Prospects Game, where he showed just how lethal he could be in scoring lanes. He’s in his first year of OHL competition, but he’s tracking for around 40 goals and 50 assists. Klepov is equally skilled as a shooter and a playmaker, and I love how often he finds open scoring lanes. Find him a high-end setup guy and he’ll fire shots home all night long." - Steven Ellis

"Klepov looks like he has the puck on a string at times, and he’s a wizard in the shootout. I think he’s more physically engaged and defensively capable than people give him credit for, too. He’s not just a finesse player. He’s working on his off-puck play and has been a solid penalty killer. The defensive side of his game may never be a strength, but his creativity on the puck and pure scoring ability make him a first-rounder for me." - Kyle Watson

"This is a player I’ve gone back and forth on quite a bit throughout this exercise. At his best he is a dynamic offensive player who can pick defenses apart as both a shooter and a playmaker. When he’s not, he looks more like a bit of a tweener, where I’m not seeing much of a fit as a future bottom-6, but someone who may not be quite dynamic enough to play his style of game with success in an NHL Top-6." - Rocco Zappia

"I do believe the brain translates and he absolutely has it. His offensive IQ is outstanding and drives his game. He shows elite offensive vision and high-end in-zone playmaking ability. His decision-making with the puck is excellent, particularly on the half boards and on the power play. He rarely makes a bad play, whether it’s quick one-touch passes, holding and skating, or hitting teammates in stride. He can execute at speed or from a standstill and does so consistently in all three zones. His hand-eye coordination is very good, allowing him to finish plays and clean up around the net, though added strength would help him sustain success in those areas. Below-average skating and limited size are the main factors holding him back from being ranked higher. The key question is whether he can keep up both skating-wise and physically at the pro level. He will need to get stronger and faster, because without improvement in those areas, the NHL translation becomes difficult." - Darren Boyce

6. Ryan Roobroeck - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)

Lowest Ranking: 10th (1x)

Total Votes: 12

Comments: 

"Roobroeck’s combination of size and skill made him appealing to scouts early on in his career and will likely still carry him to a career in the NHL but his lack of compete has turned people off." - Anonymous

"He's got all the tools to be a top-line winger and the numbers are strong. If he can work out the inconsistency that has shadowed him since his London Jr. Knights days, he'll be a gem." - Ryan Kennedy

"He possesses an elite shot and knows how to set up linemates with his big frame (6-3, 215). He has that touch around the net that you can’t teach and makes things happen with his creativity, especially off the rush." - Mike Morreale

"Once considered a potential top-10 pick, Roobroeck has fallen in the eyes of scouts, publicly and privately. Most will agree – myself included – that he has the natural ability to dominate shifts. But a lack of effort away from the puck and his overall inconsistency have seen him drop quite a bit. Roobroeck will likely crack the 80-point mark, but scouts simply wanted to see more. That being said, Roobroeck has proven he can still take over games by using his power and quick shot release to obliterate goaltenders. Roobroeck can score from anywhere – but can he do it consistently enough to ignore the lack of effort that sometimes creeps through (and has since his U-15 days)?" - Steven Ellis

"Big players with legitimate handling and playmaking ability are rare, and that’s what keeps Roobroeck in this conversation. That said, his start to the season raised a lot of question marks and forced a reset of expectations. Skating remains the biggest concern. His foot speed is still an issue, though with bigger players there’s often more room for development over time (big guys take longer). There has been some improvement this season, but it’s still a work in progress. The issue is his change of direction and edge work, as well as limited burst. His speed doesn’t currently pressure defenders on the rush, and defenders are generally comfortable. He also remains off-balance too often, and given that he’s an older player, you’d expect him to already be stronger than he is. He’s not a play driver at this stage and needs to become much harder to play against, but as a project pick, the upside tied to his size and offensive instincts keeps him on this list." - Darren Boyce

7. Brooks Rogowski - Center - Oshawa Generals

Highest Ranking: 5th (3x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside the Top Ten (2x)

Total Votes: 10

Comments:

"Rogowski is a skilled forward who blends creativity, competitiveness, and strong offensive instincts. He’s a fluid skater with the ability to change speeds and attack defenders off the rush, using quick hands and smart body positioning to create space. Rogowski shows confidence carrying the puck, often driving play through the middle and generating chances with sharp give‑and‑go sequences or well‑timed passes into dangerous areas. He competes hard without the puck, staying engaged on the forecheck and showing a willingness to battle along the boards to extend possession. As he continues to add strength and refine his finishing touch, Rogowski projects as an energetic, play driver with the upside to impact a team’s top‑six at the OHL level and beyond." - Dominic Tiano

"I’ve really liked my viewings of Rogowski, one of the best “big dudes” in the draft this year.  At 6-foot-7, he’s obviously got size. But I also appreciated how well he hustled at both ends, chasing pucks and breaking up plays. He’s a smart forward who uses his big frame to win battles, but he also has a good shot and isn’t afraid to launch it from anywhere in an attempt to surprise the goaltender. Rogowski won’t be a big-time offensive threat, but as a supporting player, he has a ton of tools to make himself useful." - Steven Ellis

"I was quite high on Rogowski to start the season after an impressive performance for Team USA at the Hlinka-Gretzky. I still believe in this player if he’s taken in the right spot and cast for the right role, I just don’t think we are looking at someone with a ton of offensive upside which limits his place on this list. Despite being a big body, you’d probably like to see him play a bit bigger at times. If he can add a bit more consistent snarl to his game while continuing to develop his quickness and first couple steps then I think this could be a very effective Bottom-6 C for a team down the road. He has to continue rounding out his skillset, but you can’t teach big." - Rocco Zappia

"Make sure you take some time to read this terrific article on Rogowski by Breanna McNeill. This is a terrific young athlete who really hasn't taken hockey training incredibly serious for very long. The experience just hasn't been the same as some other high end prospects this year. When that gap closes, what can Rogowski be capable of? The consistency is a major issue, he disappears for stretches offensively. But, I think that when his frame fills out and he gains further confidence in his on puck play, he'll be capable of more. One thing that I'm consistency impressed with is his defensive positioning and IQ, even if I wish he were a little more physically imposing given his size. People talk about Cover being raw and possessing untapped potential, but Rogowski is the same, but with better physical tools." - Brock Otten

8. Alessandro Di Iorio - Center - Sarnia Sting

Highest Ranking: 6th (3x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top Ten (3x)

Total Votes: 9

Comments:

"I might be higher on Di Iorio than some and it mainly attributes to his high IQ and hockey sense as well as his ability to push the pace of play every time he’s on the ice. He can make plays quickly and accurately, working quick give-and-go plays and open up seam plays. He always seems to put himself in a great spot to be a factor and make something happen, be it with his playmaking or getting a prime scoring opportunity. He’s got great defensive instincts as well, showing great positioning and awareness to get into lanes and provide sound coverage within his own zone. " - Peter Baracchini

"Di Iorio has settled in nicely after returning from an upper-body injury earlier this season. He's competitive and works hard every shift. He finds the open ice and makes himself available for good scoring opportunities." - Mike Morreale

"Alessandro Di Lorio is a play‑driving forward for the Sarnia Sting who blends pace and strong offensive instincts. He’s an agile skater with quick acceleration, allowing him to pressure defenders, jump on loose pucks, and create separation off the rush. Di Lorio handles the puck confidently in motion, showing the ability to weave through traffic and make sharp, timely passes that open up scoring chances. His motor stands out — he stays engaged on the forecheck, tracks back responsibly, and consistently wins races through sheer effort. Around the net, he displays good touch and a willingness to battle for inside ice, giving him multiple avenues to generate offense. As he moves on, Di Lorio projects as an energetic, versatile forward." - Dominic Tiano

"Di Iorio has been great in nearly all my viewings this year. Even when he’s not putting pucks in the net, he’s driving the play, making responsible decisions with the puck, and seems to make everyone around him better. Di Iorio does an excellent job of carrying the puck through the middle of the ice, showcasing his high-end playmaking and his quick release. I think there’s a very safe chance he goes late in the first round, which is where I’ve been projecting him to go throughout most of the season." - Steven Ellis

9. Jaxon Cover - Wing - London Knights

Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top Ten (3x)

Total Votes: 9

Comments:

"He's only been playing hockey for five years! The potential with Cover is incredible thanks to his mind and his athleticism." - Ryan Kennedy

"Jaxon Cover is still a work in progress, but very few draft-eligible players have his upside and toolkit. He struggles to string together plays due to his poor balance and tendency to try a bit too much, but he also pulls off some crazy solo efforts. I’m willing to swing on this upside in the first round given his developmental momentum and underrated 200-foot game. Cover creates havoc in the defensive zone with his disruptive stick and agility and earns a lot of odd-man rushes for his team. He could be a highly skilled second-line winger if everything goes right, but I also like his B game of an energy forward with wheels." - Kaeden Ireland

"The production has come in streaks but we are just beginning to see what Cover is capable of at the OHL level. The physical ability is plain to see: Cover is a strong athlete who loves to carry the puck and drive to the net, often combining with his teammates on intricate passing plays off the rush and the cycle. His release is deceptive, and he has a nose for the net. Coming from a roller hockey background, his approach to offence is somewhat intuitive at the moment. I think it both serves and hinders him, as he's trying things no one else would think to. But at the same time, he is perhaps over reliant on scoring from downhill situations and can struggle to create chances for himself. It's so impressive how well he has adapted to the OHL and the Knights' system, though. There are just so many ways one can imagine Cover becoming a pro and you have to trust the development path he has in London." - Kyle Watson

"If you’re looking to take a swing on a high-upside bet, this is the player to do it on. He hasn’t been playing hockey for very long and has already shown significant development and improvement, which makes the projection especially intriguing. Offensively, there’s still too much recklessness in his playmaking and vision to feel comfortable ranking him higher right now. I also don’t see a ton of bottom-six or “B-game” utility at this stage, which adds volatility to his projection. Defensively, he’s willing to engage, but he’s inexperienced when it comes to reading the defensive zone. Coach Dale Hunter has taken him off the ice in late-game situations at times, which reflects the learning curve still ahead. His stick can be effective defensively, and with more reps, can improve. There’s a wide range of outcomes here, and where he ultimately lands in the draft could vary significantly. If the improvement continues at the current rate, there’s plenty of room to move him up. This is a patience-required project, but the upside is here." - Darren Boyce

10. Thomas Vandenberg - Center - Ottawa 67's

Highest Ranking: 6th (2x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top Ten (7x)

Total Votes: 5

Comments:

"A bit of a do-it-all type, he has excelled under Dave Cameron during his first season in Ottawa. His high-end skating ability and detailed two-way play have earned him his coaches' trust, while his developing offensive game as a pretty creative playmaker is helping him find the scoresheet on a regular basis for the 67s. The numbers won’t jump off the page, and I do question just how much offensive upside there is here at the NHL level, but there looks to be a pretty solid floor here. Add that to the fact that he’s been fantastic in the faceoff circle and there are all the makings of an everyday NHL player who can be relied on to contribute in a variety of roles." - Rocco Zappia

"Thomas Vandenberg is already very well rounded and one of the younger players in this class. He uses his smarts to command the center of the ice, darting around the slot and below the goal line to find dangerous feeds. I would like to see more physical engagement, and it’s starting to come, as seen in his biggest test so far going head-to-head with Caleb Malhotra’s Bulldogs and getting involved after the whistle in early February. His shot is quite solid with decent power and accuracy on the one-timer. Whether he plays center or winger at the next level, I think he’s a good fit for an NHL 3rd line given his versatility, though he could bring value if plugged anywhere in the lineup." - Kaeden Ireland

"Thomas Vandenberg is a smart, competitive forward with poise, and strong two‑way detail to his game. He’s an agile skater with smooth edges, allowing him to slip pressure, stay connected to plays, and support transitions with quick, efficient puck movement. Vandenberg shows good offensive instincts, reading space well and timing his routes to arrive in scoring areas with purpose. His puck touches are clean, and he’s comfortable making plays in motion, whether attacking off the rush or working give‑and‑go sequences in the offensive zone. Off the puck, he’s reliable — engaged on the forecheck, responsible in his defensive routes, and willing to battle in tight areas. As he continues to add strength and assertiveness, Vandenberg projects as a versatile, high‑IQ forward capable of contributing in multiple roles." - Dominic Tiano

"This is the best skater on this list by a wide margin, and he’s fully comfortable operating at that pace. His speed consistently shows up in games, and when you watch him play, there’s clearly more offensive upside than the point totals suggest. Pace translates at the NHL level, which is why I’m very comfortable calling him a first-rounder right now with real offensive upside. He projects as a very smart, dependable two-way centre who can be used in all situations. His foot speed forces defenders into mistakes and allows him to regularly get to the middle of the ice and into quality scoring areas. That same skating translates defensively, where his compete level and ability to close quickly stand out. He’s already excellent in the face-off circle, winning draws at a 58% rate at the time of this submission, and he hasn’t had a game below 50% since December." - Darren Boyce

Honorable Mentions

Ryder Cali - Center - North Bay Battalion

Highest Ranking: 8th (1x)

Total Votes: 5

Comments:

"Ryder Cali has been a name that has continued to intrigue me as his stock continues to rise. He plays a powerful game, is physical in the tough areas and has a strong net front presence. He has great mobility and combines his size and puck protection skills to make plays and get around defenders easily. He’s sound defensively and is always providing support. He had a good showing at the OHL Top Prospects Game and while some of the top players stood out, he was definitely noticeable." - Peter Baracchini

"While I initially saw Ryder Cali as a bottom-6 power forward, his play post-injury has me convinced there could be a gem in the rough with the 6’2” attacker. He hasn’t had the most opportunities to shine in the OHL with an offensively mediocre Battalion squad and many games missed in the early months of the season. I do like the flashes of upside in his hands, and he’s quite intelligent. With such a large runway, it will be interesting to see how the next 5 months unfold for him." - Kaeden Ireland

Pierce Mbuyi - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

Highest Ranking: 6th (1x)

Total Votes: 3

Comments:

"Pierce Mbuyi isn’t the biggest player on the ice and the size factor may come into question, but he plays a much bigger game than his 159-pound frame suggests. He has incredible goal scoring abilities. He can put the puck in the back of the net and can do it in a variety of ways; catch and shoot with a quick release, one-timer, from far out or in tight, he’s a goal scoring threat. He can play a very intense style and doesn’t shy away when the opportunity to battle for possession presents itself compared to other players his size. He can anticipate plays really well and can use his speed to quickly create odd-man rushes." - Peter Baracchini

"I get why he's not ranked higher by people...and it's the same reason why he won't be a high NHL draft pick. But, when we look back on this draft class in five years, I have a feeling that he'll be a guy we'll say...why didn't he go higher? When it comes to undersized forwards, he has almost everything we want to see. He's a determined competitor. He's skilled and creative. He's quick on his feet and can escape pressure. He's not an explosive linear skater. And he probably projects more as a complementary offensive piece at higher levels. However, there's just something about his game that I think makes him an underrated player for this draft. The upside here is a Jake Guentzel type of player. The U18's this year are going to be absolutely huge for him. He'll be counted on big time offensively and if he's up to the task, it'll go a long way as to convincing some that he can be an NHL player." - Brock Otten

Beckham Edwards - Wing/Center - Sarnia Sting

Highest Ranking: 9th (2x)

Total Votes: 3

Comments:

"Another high-motor Sting product, which I'm sure NHL teams will love." - Ryan Kennedy

"He's not in my top 10 currently, but I do understand why some people would have him ranked there. He brings speed, tenacity, and goal scoring upside. I think to a certain degree, Edwards is still learning to adapt to playing at a higher level; adapting to playing and excelling away from the puck and working less as an individual player. Playing on a struggling team in Sarnia has definitely highlighted some of his weaknesses, rather than his strengths. He's another guy that will have a huge opportunity presented to him at the U18's this year." - Brock Otten

Vladimir Dravecky - Defense - Brantford Bulldogs

Highest Ranking: 10th (3x)

Total Votes: 3

Comments:

"Dravecky is a very talented player who is built strong for a 5-11/6-foot D. There are pro attributes there and I expect him to take a big step in a more prominent role in the OHL/at the World Juniors next year." - Anonymous

"There's definitely some offense in Dravecky's game, but on a stacked Bulldogs squad he has played more of a Vladislav Gavrikov kind of role and that's pretty valuable as well." - Ryan Kennedy

"I was disappointed that Dravecký didn’t get into any World Junior games this year, but I still really like his game. He’s a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with a high degree of hockey sense and confidence with the puck. Dravecký rarely makes an unforced error when looking for a linemate, and he’s a solid skater, too. I think scouts will want him to add a bit more speed if he can’t find a way to bulk up (he’s six-foot), but there’s potential for him to be an impact third-pairing blueliner who can keep things simple yet effective." - Steven Ellis

Alexander Bilecki - Defense - Kitchener Rangers

Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)

Total Votes: 2

Comments:

"This is a player I feel has been severely underrated by most of the public scouting sources to date, and I wonder how much of that is due to the fact that his counting stats are lower than what they could be if he wasn’t stuck behind Cam Reid in Kitchener for PP1 duty. Bilecki has the height, skating, puck moving ability, and poise that should make him a target of NHL teams much higher than he’s currently being given credit for. While he is still pretty sleight, I like his chances to add weight to his frame which gives him some really nice upside as a true two-way blueliner." - Rocco Zappia

"I find he is one of the more undervalued players in this draft class. A high-quality LH shot that’s 6’2 and can skate with plenty of room to add strength. He already defends at a solid level, and that part of his game should only improve as he fills out physically. He’s been trusted with defensive responsibility on a strong Kitchener team, and it shows in his overall reliability, particularly in how calm and effective he is moving pucks under pressure with smart high flips and intelligent passing. Offensively, he’s a legitimate puck mover. He runs a power play with pace and purpose, getting the puck off his stick quickly and efficiently. Bold take: I like his power play movement better than his teammate Cameron Reid, and in a different situation, I believe he’d be producing higher point totals." - Darren Boyce 

Adam Nemec - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Highest Ranking: 8th (1x)

Total Votes: 1

Comments:

"Nemec doesn’t have a defining quality like his older brother did but he’s a well-rounded player and worthwhile late-second or third-round pick." - Anonymous