Final Media Top 10 for 2026

The 2026 NHL Draft takes place this week and that means it’s time to update the media/scout poll!

For those unfamiliar with how this works, I poll many of the scouting community’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."

For comparison's sake, here was the preliminary list (from mid February):

Preliminary List

I think we can consider this a strong crop from Ontario. We have two players in consideration for the top five picks. We have another eight to ten who could be first round picks. Thanks to an influx of American players, we also have solid depth. 

Interestingly, the top five remains unchanged from February. That’s pretty rare. Ryan Roobroeck moves down. Ryder Cali moves up. Maksim Sokolovskii gets significantly more votes.

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)

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)

Anthony Donati - “The Prospect Don” and owner of DraftProHockey. (@TheProspectDon)

Tony Ferrari – NHL Draft Content for The Hockey News (@theTonyFerrari) 

and of course...myself (@BrockOtten)

Here's the List:

1. Chase Reid - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

Highest Ranking: 1st (9x)

Lowest Ranking: 2nd (4x)

Total Votes: 13

Comments:

“Most scouts have Reid as the first defenseman off the board. He was excellent at the World Juniors, stood out at the OHL USA Prospects Challenge and plays with as much confidence as any defender you’ll find. He’s a great skater, has a solid 6-foot-2 frame and is always involved at both ends of the ice. Reid’s name has been mentioned by a few scouts as a legitimate No. 1 pick thanks to his outstanding puck skills and competitive nature. You can argue that the OHL isn't as strong as it once was because the older competition jumped to the NCAA early. Is he a true top defenseman? Or more of a No. 2/3? That's something scouts – and, most importantly, the San Jose Sharks – will have to decide.” - Steven Ellis

“I like the fact he's faced adversity head-on to become one of top defensemen of the 2026 NHL Draft -- it speaks to his character and determination. He has a good feel for the game and, I feel, has a real good chance to be a No. 1 defenseman.” - Mike Morreale

“Throughout the season, he pushed himself into the conversation as the top defender in this draft and it’s clear to see why. He’s very dynamic from the backend with his skating and agility, being quick on the rush and in transition. He has excellent four-way movement as he’s constantly in motion in the offensive zone and has no problem to jump into the rush. He’s aggressive but confident and effective and always gets results when doing so. He’s always challenging players without the puck and cuts down lanes with his footspeed and agility.” - Peter Baracchini

“I remember seeing one of his first OHL games live in Guelph. I was blown away that he could step right in from the NAHL and look as dominant as he did. Here’s the tweet. You can throw the arguments being made against him regarding his “lack of dominant production” in the trash; the OHL was a low scoring league this year. He’s a dynamic play creator who is just as good off the puck at supporting plays in the offensive end. Obviously, the key to his rise has also been his improved defensive play too. I saw recently in Scott Wheeler’s poll that he compared himself to Zach Werenski. I think that’s apt. I also think of a guy like former Flyers’ great Eric Desjardins.” - Brock Otten

“Puck moving from his own one has improved and possesses legitimate pp1 ability. Skating is excellent and has shown improvement on rush defending with better utilization on this skill. In zone defending can still be an issue and he doesn't really try to hit anybody.  Unfortunately, that does concern me a little bit, and therefore I question how likely it is that he can hit his true upside. If he sorts out the in zone defending, and takes on more physicality, I do believe true 1D skills exist, it's just how likely is he to reach that mark?” - Darren Boyce

“Chase Reid has all of the tools necessary to develop into a first-pair defenseman who can run your 1st PP. Size, skating, puck moving, and offensive play are all quality assets in his arsenal. His defensive game has developed considerably this season, and I find myself less concerned about it than I did early in the season.” - Rocco Zappia

“A really high end skater who is one of the better passing blueliners in the class, Reid has asserted himself as one of the best defenseman in the 2026 class. His defensive game has potential but it’s still a work in progress. I think the potential is quite high but I don’t quite know if there is true #1D potential at the NHL level. Regardless, he has the potential to be a really solid #2/3 with outstanding puck moving and PP potential.” - Tony Ferrari

2. Caleb Malhotra - Center - Brantford Bulldogs

Highest Ranking: 1st (4x)

Lowest Ranking: 2nd (9x)

Total Votes: 13

Comments:

“Malhotra’s stock climbed for a reason — 84 points in 67 games and another 26 in a dominant playoff run will do that — but there’s more to his game than raw production. He shows exceptional ice awareness, elite hockey sense, and a work ethic that allows him to suffocate opponents defensively while still generating high‑danger looks the other way. His straight‑line acceleration and top‑end speed aren’t elite, but he consistently finds space and makes calculated decisions that translate. With his brain, compete, and ability to drive play, he projects safely as a future top‑six NHL center.” - Dominic Tiano

“I feel he's the best center of this draft. He's come a long way since the start of the season. He's one of the smartest players in the OHL. A good athlete that’s offensively gifted but also has a strong 2-way game and knows when to use his body and where to put pucks. A real team player who rises to the occasion.” - Mike Morreale

“Highly intelligent and very process-driven, Malhotra is the kind of center that can fit into just about any system. His physical edge and improving speed have become assets as he has embraced his creativity as a playmaker. Malhotra had one hell of a second half and that’s driven his stock through the roof. His ceiling, in my view, is a tweener top six center that isn’t quite a true #1 but he could potentially be one of the better #2s around the league.” - Tony Ferrari

“While the debate between Caleb Malhotra and Chase Reid continues, I’m still high on Malhotra by a small margin. He’s extremely smart on both sides of the puck, plays with a great amount of pace and deception and continued to elevate his play from the regular season to the playoffs as he dominated the Ontario Hockey League postseason with 26 points in 15 games. He can catch defenders off guard with his speed and puck skills, open lanes up effectively to draw players in and distribute the puck well and has the ability to constantly push the danger areas while also being a threat far out with his shot. There are questions if Malhotra can truly be an established top line centre at the next level, I have no issues that he can reach that in time, given his high IQ and skilled two-way game.” - Peter Baracchini

“I think you just have to be really amazed at how Malhotra was able to make so many adjustments to his game this year, while also playing a key role for one of the OHL’s best teams. It really improved his outlook and projection. I think what’s not talked about enough is that Malhotra had developed into a borderline power forward by the OHL playoffs. When his frame fills out, this is someone who I think can evolve into that power center prototype. He’s the number one center in the class because I just don’t see a concerning flaw.” - Brock Otten

“True 1C upside paired with 2C floor with his high hockey IQ, NHL ready shot, great vision and playmaking, never stops moving, fantastic motor who can change the outlook on a game. He was a big part of the Brantford Bulldogs success this season especially on the Power Play that was the best Power Play Brantford has seen in 30 years. His father Manny Malhotra and Uncle Steve Nash have helped him learn the fine details of being a pro that some players never have the luxury of learning at a young age.” - Anthony Donati

“He was my Top OHL player when we did this exercise at the midway point, and he remains in that spot for me today. I do see a world in which he develops into a #1C at the NHL level, and I believe his floor is a high-end #2C. He is a plus-player in all 3 zones, and with ever growing offensive confidence, I believe it’s possible he is just scratching the surface of his potential.” - Rocco Zappia

3. Ethan Belchetz - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Highest Ranking: 3rd (10x)

Lowest Ranking: 4th (3x)

Total Votes: 13

Comments:

“Belchetz projects as a premier power forward, offering a rare blend of overwhelming physical tools and refined soft skills. He’s more of a high‑end complementary piece than a true play driver, but he excels in the hard areas — he’s a dominant net‑front presence and a reliable puck‑retrieval option who wins space and creates second‑chance opportunities. What separates him from most power forwards his age is his ability to handle the puck in tight and a defensive game that’s already trustworthy. He’ll need to improve his straight‑line explosiveness and clean up his footwork to keep pace at the pro level, but the physical foundation and goal‑scoring instincts point to a clear ceiling: an impact, top‑six NHL winger who can tilt matchups in your favor.” - Dominic Tiano

“Belchetz’s appeal is in the profile and how difficult it is to find players with his combination of size and skill. If he picks up an extra step out of the blocks, he’s got a unique opportunity in this class. Think Matthew Knies with better hands if all goes well.” - Anonymous

“The best way to describe Belchetz is that he’s a literal bully on the ice. The combination of his size, strength and skill that he possesses truly makes him a nightmare for defenders. He’s always in attack mode, digging pucks out and retaining possession to attack the middle with purpose. He’s always utilizing his size to his advantage and protects the puck well. His long stride allows him to create that separation and drops his shoulders down to shield the puck and get that advantage in the high danger areas. Teams love those power elements and Belchetz does that effectively and consistently.” - Peter Baracchini

“6’5” Power Forward that can create havoc near the front of the net, uses his offensive IQ this year playing with Liam Greenetree to show his offensive ability. He is never afraid to take a hit to make a play and wins board battles. He can play with more meanness at times but it's not as consistent as you want it to be for someone at his size. He plays with personality on the ice at times and you can see how much of a weapon he can be for whatever team drafts him with the combination of size and skill.” - Anthony Donati

“I know that I’ve beaten this horse to death recently, but I really wish that he didn’t get hurt before the OHL playoffs. The physical aspect and pace were just so inconsistent for me this year in my viewings. I would have loved to have seen how he handled the pressure of playing in an environment that required more consistency in those aspects. If he plays in the playoffs, elevated his game and was well above a point per game (like Malhotra), he’s a top ten pick all day long. Instead, we’re left with lingering questions.” - Brock Otten 

“Belchetz has caught a lot of criticism in the past few months. Yes, it's concerning that he seems to be unable to make consistent passing reads and is rather unbalanced, but his intelligence off the puck is extremely understated and will be a driver for future success. He finds soft spots in netfront coverage, scores on the doorstep at will, and has added an improved shot to his arsenal. Belchetz has acknowledged and shown progress in his conditioning, and heading to MSU is an amazing opportunity to reach his peak physical form. Huge frame, physical runway, good feel for the game, natural goal scorer, and some unreal flashes of skill to compensate for his feet in transition. If this guy can build some better skating habits he'll be one of the league's premier big men. Sign me up for a top 10 pick.” - Kaeden Ireland

4. Nikita Klepov - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Highest Ranking: 3rd (2x)

Lowest Ranking: 8th (1x)

Total Votes: 13

Comments:

“Klepov brings elite puck‑manipulation ability, creative distribution, and a lethal one‑timer that he can unload with real efficiency. He plays with poise, using a strong, low center of gravity to protect pucks along the wall and navigate tight areas. He’ll need to clean up his skating stride and elevate his play away from the puck, but the vision and pure scoring upside are undeniable. With refinement, he has the tools to become a game‑breaking offensive threat.” - Dominic Tiano

“In his one year in the OHL, Nikita Klepov made quite the impact. He was constantly looking to make an impact on a play, always moving his feet and finding a way to do something. With all of that, he has a solid floor as an energy guy at the NHL level. His playmaking was a major strength at the junior level but it sometimes came from just habitually throwing the puck to the middle of the ice. He thrived in space and wilted at times under pressure which isn’t going to get easier as he advances levels.” - Tony Ferrari

“Led the OHL with 97 Points this year, the former defenseman has changed his whole game becoming an elite offensive weapon in the OHL. He has the skill, with the offensive hockey IQ, puckhandling, shot, playmaking ability, vision and ability to increase his floor with more engagement on the defensive side of the game.” - Anthony Donati

“I'm buying on the offensive skill set here.  The offensive vision is fantastic and he can make plays both on the rush and in zone at a high level.  Causes problems to good OHL defenders in every situation with his decision making on that end. I don't find his defensive play to be that big of a liability.  The effort is good and he has really good neutral zone instincts, specifically with anticipation and a great coordinated stick that can knock down a ton of pucks. His skating right now is slow, but you can see a player who has good pivots forwards to backwards, and is comfortable skating backwards in defensive situations.  This intrigues me. I find a lot of his flaws (board battles, skating speed) could be worked out by a big summer in the gym and a commitment to strength training. I'm bullish on him.” - Darren Boyce

“I had him quite low on our mid-season ranking, but I’ve come around on the tools translating here. He has high-end offensive vision and creativity, and has an ability to make defenders puck-watch with the skill and assertiveness to take advantage of it. One of the most dangerous players in this Draft class in terms of pure offensive ability.” - Rocco Zappia

“I think you have to really admire Klepov’s consistency this year. Yeah, I mean, it’s easy to produce consistently when you’re getting as much ice time and responsibility as Klepov did in Saginaw, but not all players execute as consistently well. That was one of the many reasons Klepov really grew on me this year. He’s creative. He’s skilled. He’s intelligent. He has a solid frame. At the very least I think you’ve got someone like Matias Macelli who can operate well on a powerplay. However, at the most, you’ve got one of the highest upside offensive players available this year. It’s just a matter of how much he can improve his skating while playing at Michigan State.” - Brock Otten

5. Adam Novotny - Wing - Peterborough Petes

Highest Ranking: 3rd (1x)

Lowest Ranking: 7th (1x)

Total Votes: 13

Comments:

“Novotný is a rugged, heavy-playing forward equipped with a solid shot release. While his lack of raw production at the World Juniors was initially surprising, the underlying process was stellar; he consistently navigated into high-danger areas and generated quality chances. Any concerns about his transition to North American ice were quickly erased during a 30-goal rookie campaign, where he easily paced the Peterborough offense. Combine that offensive drive with a highly committed, responsible two-way game, and he projects strongly as a high-impact, top-six power forward at the NHL level – someone in more of the 40-50-point range.” - Steven Ellis

“What’s really impressive about him is his speed and quickness. He already has that NHL frame and his motor and compete level are really good. He has those soft hands and touch around the net to go with it, as well as high hockey IQ. His 200-foot game has improved since the start of the season.” - Mike Morreale

“One of the best transition forwards in the draft, Novotny is also the kind of player who makes a line work. He is an excellent forechecker and an intelligent off-puck presence. Novotny has room to grow offensively, but he has a solid base as a simple facilitator and solid finisher, especially off the rush. He might not be the catalyst but he does an excellent job of supporting his linemates.” - Tony Ferrari

“Can develop into a 20-30 Goal scorer in the NHL with a good B-game. He is really built in his upper body that could be utilized more in his physical game, but he is not afraid to put his body on the for his team. He showed a lot of skill and aggressiveness when he played at the WJC and when he went back to the OHL, he was on fire offensively. I really like Novotny’s game.” - Anthony Donati

“The do-it-all winger provides a high-floor with some moderate offensive upside. He can really shoot the puck, and doesn’t cheat for offense. Committed and engaged physically, he might not be the most exciting prospect in the draft, but he provides a team a level of certainty in the mid-to-late first round.” - Rocco Zappia

“Novotny is going to be a highly coveted name in the middle of the first round. He brings a rare mix of high‑end finishing ability and pro‑ready physical engagement. His shot is elite — heavy, deceptive, and built around a shoot‑first mentality that consistently threatens from distance. What really separates him from other offensive producers is his 200‑foot game. He’s a relentless forechecker, wins board battles, protects pucks with authority, and makes intelligent reads that kill opposing breakouts before they start. There are some questions about his vision, but the defensive reliability, the heavy shot, and the physical edge give him a clear projection: a high‑floor, top‑six NHL winger who can impact the game in multiple layers.” - Dominic Tiano

6. Brooks Rogowski - Center - Oshawa Generals

Highest Ranking: 4th (1x)

Lowest Ranking: 10th (2x)

Total Votes: 13

Comments:

“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. Players who move as well with his size profile are coveted around the NHL.” - Steven Ellis

“He's hard on pucks, works hard. He can easily be a bottom-six guy down the middle and do a good job in killing penalties. He exhibits a little pushback in his game, and will drop the mitts on occasion. Has a solid all-around game and w/ proper development, could round out to become a good NHL contributor.” - Mike Morreale

“Brooks Rogowski just narrowly missed out on my top-10 in January, but that isn’t the case right now. Rogowski can flat out dominate and play a heavy game in the tough areas, be it in front of the net, down low in the corners or along the wall. He has the ability to win battles, establish a forecheck effectively, protect the puck well and drive the middle with ease given his 6-foot-6, 231-pound frame and strength. He moves very well for his size and he’s just as impactful without the puck, showing great positioning and awareness. Despite a rough season for the Oshawa Generals, he was one of their best and consistent players all season.” - Peter Baracchini

“It looked like the skating ability took a step in the positive direction towards the end of the season, and that could be huge for his future development. Rogowski isn’t a flashy player, but he can be highly effective nonetheless. He has enough offense to project him as an everyday NHLer, has the tools to project favorably in a “difficult minutes” type of role, and as the old adage goes “you can’t teach big.” - Rocco Zappia

“A big, lanky center who could be quite the interesting prospect because of his raw athleticism and wide array of tools. The former baseball player has a versatile skill set with experience as both a shutdown, defensive center when Oshawa was heading to the OHL finals to being leaned on offensively this past year as higher-end skill players moved on. Rogowski still has to figure out what he’s going to be at the next level but he has all of the traits that intrigue NHL teams.” - Tony Ferrari

7. Ryder Cali - Center/Wing - North Bay Battalion

Highest Ranking: 6th (2x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top Ten (1x)

Total Votes: 12

Comments:

“Cali might be the most structurally sound power‑forward prospect in this class — he already plays a pro‑style game. He rebounded from a mid‑season shoulder injury and finished on a strong offensive run, reinforcing the high‑floor elements of his profile. His defensive awareness, habits, and willingness to work down low and along the boards are all advanced for his age. He pairs that physical edge with soft hands and a heavy, high‑end release that makes him a threat from the middle of the ice. He’ll need to continue refining his playmaking to fully unlock top‑six upside, but the combination of size, versatility to play in all situations, and a late‑season surge makes him a highly coveted long‑term project for NHL teams.” - Dominic Tiano

“I liked Cali in Jr. A last year – putting up more than 50 points as a 16-year-old in the OJHL is no small feat, even if the competition has diminished over time. But I was hoping to see more from him offensively in North Bay this year. Cali is built like a tank, though, and he puts a ton of power into every shift, with and without the puck. I can see him becoming a solid bottom-six forward if he can improve his playmaking. I considered ranking him lower, but I know some scouts really like him as a long-term project. With an NHL frame and solid hockey sense, there's something here.” - Steven Ellis

“A physical, heavy forward who doesn’t really shy away from forcing the issue. He doesn’t really have the upside to play in the top six at the next level but he could be a nuisance to deal with on the third or fourth line. He forechecks hard, works hard on the cycle and plays a simple brand of hockey. Cali is the kind of player that can be a difference maker through what he does away from the puck, even if the offensive upside isn’t necessarily there.” - Tony Ferrari

“If you follow my work, you know that I’ve been hyping Cali up the last few months. There’s a real solid floor here because he’s got the frame, skating ability, and two-way acumen to be a bottom six contributor. However, I do truly believe that he has more offensive upside than most are suggesting. He was really good the last few months of the OHL season; his confidence exploded. He’s also one of the youngest players eligible for the draft this year. I saw contributor Corey Pronman mention that Cali is liked so much more by NHL scouts than the amateur/public ones and that doesn’t shock me one bit.” - Brock Otten

“At times Cali looked like no more than a bottom six forward this year, disappearing into the background of a middling North Bay squad. However, I think there's a gem in the rough here. Cali has shown bursts of skill throughout the year and as a later birthday, maybe a little more time will uncover a player with more middle six upside. Cali works hard and is defensively responsible but like Novotny he couldn't significantly beat OHL defenses as the year progressed. Good bottom six floor, middle six utility knife upside.” - Kaeden Ireland

“I feel like this is an underrated upside play. Cali brings a lot of tools that make for a pretty exciting player if he puts it all together. At his best, he’s a Bull in a China Shop with a nose for the net. He shows flashes of shockingly high-end hands, so I’m curious to see how that develops. If the confidence with the puck continues to grow this could be a really nice middle-6 contributor with offensive pop and snarl. Worst case, there’s an excellent B-game to fall back on as a Bottom-6 guy.” - Rocco Zappia

8. Jaxon Cover - Wing - London Knights

Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)

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

Total Votes: 10

Comments: 

“He’s still learning the game, but Cover’s hands and puck play are real and if the rest comes he could be really interesting. He’s a bet on learning the game.” - Anonymous

“London had a down year by the team's standards, especially after consecutive league titles. But Cover quickly established himself as one of the most intriguing prospects, finishing the regular season with 20 goals and 52 points. Cover is one of the rawest prospects in the draft, having only started playing ice hockey at the age of 13. So the fact that he has been so productive with the puck and so dangerous without it has really excited scouts. He’s so quick, using his speed to force turnovers and break into scoring lanes. He's creative, and as long as he continues to work on the smaller details in his game, he'll be a solid prospect.” - Steven Ellis

“I mean, who's not rooting for Cover, the inline hockey sensation from the Cayman Islands! He's a really strong skater who's starting to use his size to be both the power forward and player that can beat you with a dangle. He's beginning to understand how he can use his size and hockey sense as a combination to possess the puck or steal from opponents. Another season in London will really benefit him.” - Mike Morreale

“One of the most interesting players in the draft, Cover is a talent that NHL scouts view as full of upside. His skating and skill are impressive, showing that he could transfer those from roller hockey. Cover’s game is still a bit raw and he has the frame to add a more consistent physical aspect to his game as well. If some team finds a way to unlock his talent, he could end up being one of the most interesting upside swings in the draft over the last couple of years.” - Tony Ferrari

“This is the pure upside play that I'm willing to take in round 2. Great hands and a natural ability to manipulate space exists here. This is a raw player though, as his experience with ice hockey is limited, coming from roller hockey. He can see lanes on the ice a little bit differently than others due to his experience at the other sport. Needs to improve foot speed and strength.  However, if he does, he could really pop because the brain offensively is interesting. The thought would be he has way more development room due to his lack of experience.” - Darren Boyce

9. Ryan Roobroeck - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

Highest Ranking: 6th (2x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top Ten (5x)

Total Votes: 8

Comments: 

“Roobroeck has some imperfections and some clear areas he needs to put in more time and effort to but the size-skill-shot combination remains a major asset and could carry him further than the guys who will be available when he gets picked.” - Anonymous

“Roobroeck's combination of size (6-foot-4, 216 pounds) and goal-scoring prowess (99 goals in 176 regular season games over three years) makes him incredibly intriguing. And at one point, he felt like a safe bet to go in the top 10. You don't find many forwards who can command a play like he can at his absolute best, especially after producing at a high level throughout most of his career. But for a guy his size, he often lacks the intensity required to be a true difference-maker. Few players with Roobroeck's level of talent fall asleep as frequently on plays, and it's a shame. At the very least, Roobroeck should be able to excel on the power play, and he's good as a net-front presence. But scouts are worried about his work ethic on the ice, which is why he fell to this spot. Regardless, I think there's still some significant upside here.” - Steven Ellis

“He's got that size, good hands, hockey sense and one of his biggest strengths is the release on his shot. He can really fire it. He gets it off quick too. I think the thing he needs to work on is the compete, and doing that with more consistency.” - Mike Morreale

“If there’s one word to describe Roobroeck, it’s polarizing. He put up 30 goals and 58 points in 49 games despite missing time with injuries, and his wrist shot and snapshot are legitimately high‑end — accurate, heavy, and dangerous from multiple spots. He’s a real weapon on the power play, where his offensive vision and the gravity of his shooting threat open up seams on the perimeter. But the questions are real. He doesn’t always play the traditional bruising power‑forward game his frame suggests. There are concerns about his defensive consistency, his sluggish stop‑start acceleration, and a lack of true top‑end pace. Even so, the combination of size, soft hands, and pure finishing ability gives him a safe projection as a middle‑six NHL winger with the potential to outperform that slot if the skating comes along.” - Dominic Tiano

10. Maksim Sokolovskii - Defense - London Knights

Highest Ranking: 6th (1x)

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

Total Votes: 6

Comments:

“At 6-foot-8, Sokolovskii is absolutely massive. Nobody will mistake Sokolovskii for an offensive demon – he had eight points between 49 regular season and playoff games. But he's truly a terrifying human being when it comes to 1-on-1 situations – he makes it his life mission to kill you. I loved his play against the Soo Greyhounds because he repeatedly had to go up against top forward Brady Martin and succeeded for the most part. I really like Sokolovskii as a shutdown option. His lack of offense won't make him attractive to every team, but the fact that he, as a defenseman, makes it his goal to stop guys at any cost should allow him to get to the NHL.” - Steven Ellis

“You really have to take into consideration the rapid improvement shown this year. Sokolovskii was playing in the U.S. AAA loop last year. By the OHL playoffs he was tasked with shutting down an NHL top five selection. The defensive upside is massive given his frame, physical approach, and mobility. But, I think he has room to grow from an offensive perspective; there’s flashes. He’s a first round pick for me all day.” - Brock Otten

“Watching players of similar size in the NHL really raised my opinion of Sokolovsky. Watching some of Chicago's taller defenders, I think he could easily surpass a Crevier-type guy after another few years in the lab working on his edges. Maybe Vlasic could be a more appropriate comparison with better skill in his hands and the lust to get involved in offense. And then there's his mean streak. There's some guys who clearly abuse the size of smaller junior players but Soko is not one. He'll be throwing NHLers around one day and laying some insane hits. He needs to learn to snap back into gear after making a big play as the lag can open windows for opponents to attack, and his positional play has drawn criticism. I believe his rover defensive style is more of a coaching choice to utilize his reach when limiting space for opponents but at the same time, when playing tighter defense he still looks lost on occasion.” - Kaeden Ireland

“An absolute behemoth on the back-end, he turned heads in the OHL Playoffs playing tough minutes against Brady Martin. This is a bit of a development project, but the payoff could be massive. He knows how to use his range well, has an absolute mean streak to him, and has enough of a puck game that it shouldn’t be an issue. This is not a fun player to play against.” - Rocco Zappia

“A big time project, but there's unicorn upside here. This is a 6'8 body with a very natural defensive IQ in terms of gaps and angles. Plays incredibly mean. By far the most physical player in this draft. The improvement curve this year was really high, and really took off after London sold at the deadline. He was tasked with big minutes vs high end opponents and went from competent to comfortable, to borderline high end at times. The Hunter's found this guy on a random back rink. He needs time to roast. However, if you're patient, this could be something very unique.” - Darren Boyce

Honorable Mentions

Thomas Vandenberg - Center - Ottawa 67’s

Highest Ranking: 7th (1x)

Total Votes: 5

Comments:

“While he may ultimately be a very solid bottom six player who kills penalties at the NHL level, there’s just something I enjoy about watching Vandenberg play hockey. It’s not flashy, it’s not built on skill. It’s a game built through hard work and consistently smart decisions. Vandenberg isn’t going to be one of your team’s top scorers but he’s going to be an important depth player.” - Tony Ferrari

“A player who is being vastly underrated for the draft IMO. He’s one of the youngest players eligible this year and has a ton of room to develop physically still. He’s also one of the draft’s most explosive skaters IMO. There are a lot of different ways that he could develop into an NHL player with a versatile skill set.” - Brock Otten

“Vandenberg is a speedy skater with a laser of a shot. His physicality improved near the end of the season but I couldn't help but notice he's usually the only 67 to not get involved in scrums. Vandenberg has a strong feel for the game and finds soft spots well off the puck. In this area he's similar to Belchetz where he struggles with consistency in his passing but has a good sense of timing. His defensive game and elite skating give him projectability, but Thomas is still a raw player. There's so many potential outcomes for him, interested to see how his career plays out.” - Kaeden Ireland

“A guy I'm high on. There's a major drop off at the C position after the top 6 at that position.  I believe he should be the first guy after that tier. The speed is elite, and he can move the puck well at that pace. He has a very solid shot and finds soft ice well.  Has excellent defensive habits and face off ability. I would like to see the physicality pick up, but he has the pace of play feature that will allow him to stick, and the habits to stay at Centre.  I think more offence exists here as he looks very good with better teammates in offensive positions. While I wish he was more physical (that can come with strength), if you are one of the fastest guys on the ice, you can still be successful.” - Darren Boyce

Adam Nemec - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Highest Ranking: 7th (1x)

Total Votes: 4

Comments:
“Plays at an extremely high pace, often sprinting through shifts and applying constant pressure on backchecks and forechecks. There are times when this can be viewed as a negative since he rushes decisions without a plan. But his offensive flashes pop with puck protection along the boards and he's learned to play with maturity.” - Mike Morreale

“I appreciate how much his confidence improved over his short stint in Sudbury to close the year; he definitely showed a little more creativity and play driving ability than I thought he had after watching him internationally. However, I’m still a bit concerned about how his game translates to the NHL level. There’s nothing dynamic about his game and he doesn’t have outstanding size/strength, especially given that he’s the kind of player who’ll need to succeed in the trenches. For that reason, he’s not in my top ten.” - Brock Otten

Alessandro Di Iorio - Center - Sarnia Sting

Highest Ranking: 6th (1x)

Total Votes: 3

Comments:
“I still think there’s value in Di Iorio even if he isn’t going to be a top-two centre at the next level. The pace he plays combined with his puck skills, attention to detail on both sides of puck and ability to play in all situations could still make him a valuable asset. He has great passing vision and has the ability to get in quickly and establish an attack. While we want to see more production from him, he can get results and drive the play even without finding the score sheet. He could be a great support player when he needs to and he has the ability to attack the middle well. He reminds me of Anthony Cirelli, but with a little more skill.” - Peter Baracchini

“Just outside of my top ten. However, he’s still a player that I’d be interested in drafting. Considering that I felt like he had an underwhelming year, that’s rare for me because I always put a lot of value on year over year progression. Part of me is worried that he could end up a Francesco Pinelli type who has a tough time finding a role at higher levels. However, I think Di Iorio is a better skater than Pinelli and is a more natural physically aggressive player. With a well rounded skill set, there are a lot of paths to an NHL career for Di Iorio. And I also believe that there is a chance that playing on a poor Sarnia team masked his upside as a higher end contributor.” - Brock Otten

Alexander Bilecki - Defense - Kitchener Rangers

Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)

Total Votes: 3

Comments: 

“I’m a little bit shocked to see him outside the top ten of so many of the contributors to this list. He was so good in the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup. I mean, I get the projection concerns, to a degree, given his jack of all trades profile. But, he’s skilled, mobile, and his defensive game improved a lot over the year. I definitely believe there is a chance that he could develop into a quality #4 who can play minutes across different situations.” - Brock Otten

“This player is still severely under ranked by a lot of outlets. Puck moving and decision making is excellent, either with breaking out under pressure and while rushing it himself. Has really good speed and has a smart ability to change speeds on the rush. Really like his power play movement when he gets an opportunity, and the puck really gets moving around when he's leading that assignment. He really could have had better numbers if he wasn't playing on such a loaded roster. Defensively, he has good instincts and actually does play relatively mean. Throws hits and will be greasy. His issue right now is that he is weak.  He has a 6'2 frame that can hold a lot more muscle. There's immense upside here. Somebody is going to steal this kid.

It is noteworthy that this player seemed to get better as the year went on and actually thrived as the opponents got harder.” - Darren Boyce

“He might be the most underrated player in the Draft. Forced to play lesser minutes behind a stacked Kitchener squad, his statistical output doesn't tell the full story. He can flat out fly, and he thinks the game offensively at a very high-end level. While slight, he does have a mean-streak to him, and I wonder what sort of upside there is defensively when he fills out. I expect him to take a massive leap in offensive production next season. The only thing this kid’s missing is opportunity, and that will come knocking sooner than later.” - Rocco Zappia

Pierce Mbuyi - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

Highest Ranking: 9th (1x)

Total Votes: 2

Comments:

“An undersized forward who, when at his best, can be a difference maker in a variety of ways. Mbuyi has some really sneaky skill, crafty processing, and some really nifty mitts. He put up a ton of points in the OHL this year but he also had a tendency to take his foot off the gas at times. Mbuyi showed some really great flashes but we will need to see him chain more consistent efforts together moving forward.” - Tony Ferrari

“Mbuyi is probably going to slip a bit on day two. I would be pretty surprised to see him selected in the top 50 on draft weekend due to his size and strength. There's so much to love with his tools and compete, but putting it together will prove difficult, especially considering he's committed to Penn State. Not a fan of the developmental fit there.” - Kaeden Ireland

Alex Kostov - Wing/Center - Flint Firebirds

Highest Ranking: 10th (1x)

Total Votes:

“Not ranked by me, but I see the appeal. He’s my number one ranked re-entry candidate from the OHL. His game improved every year in the OHL, culminating with an excellent 19/20 year old year. His skating improved a lot this year and with his frame and desire to play up tempo, there’s a good chance that he could be a quality bottom six player. This is the prototype of the third line player NHL teams are looking for now.” - Brock Otten

Beckham Edwards - Center/Wing - Sarnia Sting

Highest Ranking: 10th (1x)

Total Votes:

“Edwards is a highly intelligent two‑way center who blends an excellent defensive foundation with legitimate offensive upside. He’s a strong skater with a relentless motor and sharp positional awareness, and he owns a heavy shot that can beat goaltenders from distance. His pro‑ready habits stand out — he’s committed in the defensive zone, understands structure, and plays a mature, reliable game. He’ll need to improve his lateral mobility and add more deception to his one‑on‑one game to consistently beat defenders. But with his high‑floor defensive baseline and natural goal‑scoring instincts, he projects as a rock‑solid middle‑six NHL forward who can be trusted in all situations.” - Dominic Tiano

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.