Sportsnet’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Final Edition

Even after the U18 worlds and the NHL Combine concluded the scouting season, the highest finish of this draft continues to be a tough one to handicap. The high two ranked gamers are barely undersized wingers, however ultra-talented in numerous methods. Then there’s a gaggle of 5 defencemen, three of whom are right-handed, and all of whom possess NHL measurement. Mix in a few centres, two or three who might be high 10 picks, and voila, we’ve got a recipe for enjoyable. 

NHL Draft followers and the final hockey-watching public are all the time anxious to outline tiers in a draft class. If I had to take action, I’d say there’s a high three, then the following 5, then a gaggle of one other 5 gamers to make up three tiers throughout the primary 13 picks. After that, I see one other grouping of 10 or so gamers to take us into the vary of the highest 23 earlier than there’s extra variance.

On that matter, plenty of draft projections will fluctuate tremendously, starting at No. 1. Heck, my colleague Jason Bukala and I (see his last rankings right here) can’t even arrive at a consensus No. 1. Several others who put a ton of labor into this area even have totally different orders amongst even the highest 5 and high 10 gamers. These widespread ideas communicate to the closeness of this draft class. 

The U18 event tends to carry gamers greater than it hurts them, and this yr isn’t any totally different with the emergence of some gamers, whom we are going to make notice of afterward on this piece. 

The NHL Combine is one thing that I believe goes underrated within the draft course of. I communicate, nevertheless, from the bias of somebody who locations excessive worth on private interplay and communication. While these are usually not traits that equate to on-ice expertise, they’re necessary in projecting what a participant could develop into, or extra importantly what he could not develop into.  

More groups are beginning to develop their train and sport science departments, and as this occurs, these groups are beginning to take the bodily testing outcomes and medical studies extra critically than prior to now. If a participant is weak, can a staff exploit alternative? If a participant is robust, how a lot stronger can he get earlier than his play is impacted? Lastly, are there predictive indicators that may be seen in both the medicals or the testing that may assist determine future well being issues or alternatives for growth?

Keep in thoughts, Bukala and I’ll have mock drafts popping out throughout draft week, that are totally different in that we are going to be projecting which groups will choose which gamers. In the meantime, listed below are my newest NHL Draft rankings, which don’t have in mind which groups are choosing through which slot.

No. 1: Gavin McKenna, LW, 5-foot-11, 170 kilos, Penn St. (NCAA) 

The race for No. 1 has been tight all season lengthy and attending to see McKenna up shut and private on the NHL Combine was sufficient to persuade me that he’s the highest prospect obtainable on this draft class.  

Everyone is acquainted with his recreation as probably the most gifted, inventive and gifted offensive participant on this class. He seems to be like he’s taken the time from the top of the season to work on his bodily energy and conditioning as evidenced by a top-10 exhibiting in 4 of the 15 and a top-25 exhibiting in eight of 15 mix exams. Aside from that, within the interview course of he was forthcoming and understands what must be carried out to play commonly on the subsequent degree. 

No. 2: Ivar Stenberg, LW 5-foot-11, 183 kilos, Frolunda (SHL)

A dependable participant in all conditions, Stenberg tasks to supply top-level offence. He competes off the puck and is keen and in a position to play defensively as effectively. Stenberg works effectively alongside the wall, and he has the power to alter the tempo of the sport with sharp cutbacks and succesful acceleration. He’s a playmaker, however can function on the web entrance and rating from mid vary with ease. Stenberg has confirmed to be an adaptable participant whose recreation doesn’t change whatever the measurement, energy and age of competitors. He has an opportunity to play within the NHL subsequent yr.  

No. 3: Chase Reid, RD,  6-foot-2, 195 kilos, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 

Reid possesses some Cale Makar-like qualities with elite skating and edgework. He could also be the perfect skater of this group. He passes the puck swiftly, precisely and with NHL tempo. He additionally possesses a bomb of a shot and tasks to run a PP1 within the NHL. From a personality perspective, he has overcome adversity and has constantly answered the bell when extra accountability has been positioned upon him. It will likely be enjoyable to see if his developmental sample stays steep at Michigan State. He would be the defenceman equal to Porter Martone by the top of subsequent season.  

No. 4: Caleb Malhotra, C, 6-foot-1, 182 kilos, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) 

The finest all-around centre this draft class has to supply. Malhotra has hit plenty of benchmarks alongside the best way from a superb BCHL playoff run in his draft minus-one yr, via incomes his spot within the top-six on a deep Brantford staff. He was named captain of the CHL staff within the CHL/USA Prospects problem in November, and was its finest participant. Malhotra thinks the sport effectively and is constantly on the precise facet of the puck, or placing pucks in areas to maintain his staff out of hazard. His 13-goal, 26-point playoff efficiency ranked fourth amongst all gamers, giving confidence to groups that he can present offence when issues are most tough.

No. 5: Carson Carels, LD, 6-foot-1, 198 kilos, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

From the second you meet him, Carels conjures up confidence. Coaches really feel the identical method in that he might be trusted in any scenario. Carels excels in each aspect of the sport. He makes good, sensible choices with the puck, placing others in place to make performs, or making performs himself to get pucks to the inside. He defends vigorously by stepping into the opponents’ palms or utilizing his energy to physique the opposition out of place. He skilled a significant uptick in level manufacturing this season going from six targets and 35 factors to twenty targets and 73 factors in two fewer video games. Like Brady Martin final yr, Carels will decide out of attending the draft in Buffalo, and can as a substitute handle issues on the ranch at residence in Manitoba. 

No. 6: Viggo Bjorck, RW, 5-foot-9, 177 kilos, Djurgardens (SHL) 

Upon assembly Bjorck on the NHL Combine, he introduced just a bit taller and a bit of thicker than I envisioned him. From a pure interview perspective, he was assured not cocky, simple to talk to, and engaged within the dialog. He conveyed that he’s in no way involved about his measurement being a problem transferring ahead. His world juniors efficiency was epic, though overshadowed by Stenberg. In comparable vogue, Bjork performed high minutes and PP1 for Sweden’s males’s nationwide staff, but Stenberg received all of the love for producing a barely larger level complete. His numbers at each the U18 and U20 ranges leap off the web page. Bjorck is a tireless employee, continuously calculating the sport and dealing forward of his opponents. He does not shrink back from something.    

No. 7: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, 6-foot-3, 212 kilos, U. North Dakota (NCAA) 

Came to the NHL Combine with a chip on his shoulder, keen to show in-person that he was well worth the hype that noticed him because the draft’s high participant earlier within the season. With plenty of different elite defencemen on the high of this class, and a minimum of two of them proper pictures, Verhoeff hasn’t taken a step again, however others have pushed ahead to problem him. As my colleague Jason Bukala jogs my memory, the NCAA recreation just isn’t simple. And it’s actually not simple if you’re a younger freshman who eats minutes and defends towards, larger, older, quicker competitors each day. I can’t assist however take into consideration Drew Doughty, John Carlson, Aaron Ekblad and Cale Makar as right-shot defencemen with measurement, offensive acumen and the power to defend. Verhoeff brings all of these parts to the desk. The query is, will he produce at Doughty or Ekblad ranges?  

No. 8: Daxon Rudolph, RD, 6-foot-2, 206 kilos, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Provided elite-level offence with a 28-goal, 78-point common season and a further 27 factors in 19 playoff video games whereas main his staff to the WHL last. A former first general choose within the WHL bantam draft, Rudolph will proceed his growth at Denver University below the watchful eye of David Carle. He has the mobility to make performs off the blue line and the smarts to evade protection within the offensive zone. Rudolph can transport pucks, whereas recognizing when to maneuver it, making him an efficient transitional participant. He will use his measurement and has a nasty facet to his recreation. Ironing out some defensive zone element and managing his bodily recreation will likely be keys transferring ahead. 

No. 9: Alberts Smits, LD, 6-foot-3, 205 kilos, Munchen (DEL)

The previous 16 months have been wild for this man. He’s performed for his nation in U18, U20, Men’s Senior tournaments and on the Olympic Games. He’s additionally performed with and towards males in the perfect skilled leagues in each Finland and Germany. He performed a big function on every of these groups, usually being utilized in a top-pairing function. He capped the season because the EJ McGuire award winner given yearly to the draft prospect “who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism.” Smits is probably the most NHL-ready participant obtainable within the draft class.  

No. 10: Ethan Belchetz, LW, 6-foot-5, 228 kilos, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) 

A collarbone harm to Belchetz left scouts wanting playoff and in the end U18 viewings. Over the course of his restoration, he has centered on vitamin and energy constructing and has develop into extra lean. Not that he wanted to, however his muscle distribution is totally different than the place it was in the beginning of the season. No query he’s an influence ahead with a imply streak who will play on the subsequent degree as soon as he fully fills-out. Belchetz has a giant league shot, a big-league physique and big-league nastiness. 

He has actually good palms, can rating from distance and on the net-front. With added quickness, particularly off the mark, and continued growth at Michigan State, Belchetz will likely be extremely wanted and is a top-10 participant regardless of simply over point-per-game numbers. Finding consistency in his recreation, be it via scoring or impacting in different methods, is his key to transferring ahead. 

No. 11: Malte Gustafsson, LD, 6-foot-4, 201 kilos, HV71 (SHL) 

Left an awesome lasting impression on scouts together with his sensible two-way play on the U18s, the place he wore an ‘A’ and had 5 factors in six video games. His poise and tranquility below stress make him a horny prospect. He has good ft and might sneak up on opponents with glorious lateral motion, agility and a protracted attain. He makes use of his skating to remove time and area each within the impartial zone and defending inside his personal zone. He appears to be extra of an offensive menace when enjoying on the nationwide staff, however there’s little scoring in his profile in any other case.  

He is the kind of participant who will excel enjoying with older, extra skilled gamers. He tailored effectively to the SHL degree and that very same kind of adaptation is predicted on the subsequent degree. He is in the beginning of my second tier of defencemen and a participant I can see steadily bettering his offensive numbers to challenge secondary offence and second-pairing potential.  

No. 12: Wyatt Cullen, LW, 6-foot-1, 176 kilos, USNTDP (USHL) 

His development spurt has resulted in an increase up draft boards. He entered the USNTDP program in the beginning of final season at simply 5-foot-8 and below 150 kilos, however his most up-to-date measurement on the Combine was 6-foot-1, 176 kilos. Ironically, he missed the early a part of the season as a result of a growth-related harm. Once via that, nevertheless, he confirmed a dynamic facet to his recreation as top-of-the-line puck-handlers within the draft class.  

He’s received nice ft and accelerates like a rocket. When you add in he has NHL bloodlines from a warrior of a three-time Stanley Cup champion (Matt), Wyatt lifts comfortably inside the primary half of this draft. From an offensive output standpoint he left an enduring impression with 9 factors for the US on the U18s as their solely point-per-game participant. 

No. 13: Alexander Command, C, 6-foot, 186 kilos, Orebro (Sweden J20)

Command has been gaining regular momentum since Christmas. He began the season having been reduce from the Hlinka-Gretzky staff and labored via it to play effectively sufficient to earn six SHL video games. Admittedly, he received away from his recreation upon coming back from his SHL stints, however was sensible sufficient to comprehend he wanted to get again to his strengths so as to achieve success. In each the WJAC and the U18 worlds, he labored his method via the lineup, incomes extra minutes to develop into a trusted participant, whereas additionally placing up point-per-game numbers in occasions the place Sweden earned bronze and gold respectively.  

Because of his laborious, trustworthy fashion of recreation and willpower to win, he’ll profit extra from the Carolina Hurricanes profitable the Cup than some other prospect within the class. He is a participant coaches will love due to his work ethic, willpower and reliability.  

No. 14: Tynan Lawrence, C, 6-foot, 185 kilos, Boston University (NCAA) 

Many really feel that his mid-season leap to the NCAA — particularly coming off harm — was a questionable transfer at finest. He will likely be criticized for his lack of manufacturing (two targets, seven factors in 18 video games), however then once more, perhaps the expectations had been too excessive for one in every of simply 5 17-year-olds in school hockey. There are others who say he was enjoying the sport the precise method within the NCAA, received possibilities and was simply snake-bitten.

His draft slot and potential will likely be debated closely as a result of he performs a premium place in a draft class devoid of high-end centres. He additionally has had loads of earlier success together with a playoff MVP efficiency for USHL Muskegon in his draft minus-one season and plenty of productive worldwide appearances. The one which will outline his draft place is the newest U18 worlds, the place his six factors in 5 video games had been second-best for Canada.  

No. 15: Ryan Lin, RD, 5-foot-11, 178 kilos, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Another polarizing determine, particularly coming off a 2025 draft that didn’t see one defenceman below 6-foot taken. Lin is extraordinarily cell and strikes effectively, utilizing totally different misleading ways to keep away from oncoming forecheckers. Some of that additionally works for him within the offensive zone. He competes laborious and gaps up effectively. He had a late-season harm, however recovered in time to get 9 tune-up video games with Vancouver earlier than heading over to the U18s. In that occasion, he confirmed extra physicality. Lin is keen and in a position to be constantly a part of the frenzy. Internationally, he has been a key contributor in plenty of occasions, together with two U18 worlds, one in every of which was a gold medal win. Like Daxon Rudolph, Lin will go to Denver to proceed his growth.   

No. 16: Elton Hermansson, RW, 6-foot-3, 181 kilos, Modo (Allsvenskan)

Had nice bookends to the season whereas enjoying together with his friends. He kicked off the yr with 11 factors in 5 Hlinka-Gretzky video games and ended the season with a robust exhibiting on the U18s the place he put up 12 factors in seven video games en path to a gold medal and a high participant award. He is a good-sized winger with a goal-scoring acumen. Hermansson was moved as much as the Allsvenskan mid-season and nonetheless confirmed he was in a position to contribute offensively. His 11 targets topped all 17-year-old gamers within the Allsvenskan. 

No. 17: Oscar Hemming, LW, 6-foot-3, 193 kilos, Boston College (NCAA)

Missed out on half a season whereas his representatives labored via a contractual dispute in his native Finland. When the deadlock stalemated, Hemming modified course and moved on from attempting to play for OHL Kitchener, and as a substitute made his strategy to Boston College. With his measurement and bulldog mentality, he was greater than in a position to show the bodily factor in his recreation, one which he absolutely embraces.

It’s laborious to extrapolate what his offence will seem like on the subsequent degree as he had solely 19 video games of faculty hockey, the place he collected eight factors. He does have some scoring in his profile and he does have the profit from his dad being a former professional participant, and his brother, Emil, being a first-round NHL Draft choose.

No. 18: Nikita Klepov, RW, 5-foot-11, 178 kilos, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) 

Entering the OHL as a 17-year-old rookie, nobody was positive what was going to develop into of Klepov. He had 31 factors in 59 USHL video games final season earlier than transferring to Saginaw. By the top of this season, Klepov turned the primary OHL rookie to guide the league in factors (97) since Patrick Kane in 2007. He tripled his purpose and level totals in a extra expert league. 

Klepov tasks to offer high six offence with a particular expertise to be efficient on the ability play. He began the season with a well-rounded recreation, received a bit of too level joyful, and by the top of the yr was again enjoying extra responsibly once more. Klepov is a inventive participant who protects pucks effectively.  He has elite imaginative and prescient and is open to laborious teaching.

No. 19: Adam Novotny, LW, 6-foot-1, 204 kilos, Peterborough Petes (OHL) 

A tremendous skater who performs a pro-style recreation, Novotny is one other participant who endears himself to teammates and coaches. He consciously made the choice to show down professional cash at residence to return to North America to be taught the sport on the smaller ice floor. His physique kind, talent set and angle made the transition seamless. He is very happy to hunt pucks, lay the physique and reap the benefits of each taking pictures alternative. He tailored to a barely totally different function on the world juniors, providing a extra accountable recreation keyed on forechecking and enjoying responsibly above the puck. He’s the kind of participant you need on the ice when the video games develop into harder.  

No. 20: J.P. Hurlbert, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 kilos, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Since arriving in Kamloops, Hurlbert has added 10 kilos and virtually an inch of top. His higher physique mass was noticeably totally different on the NHL Combine from once I final met with him in November. More impressively, he confirmed up in a swimsuit, and traveled with sufficient fits to cowl off all of his staff and media interviews. That is a rarity, however a small element that tells me loads about how he represents himself, his household and the Blazers group. Further, it tells me that he treats his craft like a job.

From an on-ice perspective, he competes on and off puck and might make performs, however he loves taking pictures the puck and he’s good at it, scoring 42 targets on 294 pictures this season. His path up to now is considerably uncommon however could develop into the norm, having left the USNTDP at 17 to play within the WHL.  

No. 21. Ilia Morozov, C, 6-foot-3, 200 kilos, Miami (NCAA) 

Scouts love gamers who enhance day-over-day of their draft eligible seasons. Morozov did that, and it is a tough process as one of many youngest gamers within the draft, enjoying within the older, tougher NCAA ranks. Physically, he doesn’t seem like a youthful participant. He’s broad-shouldered, sturdy as an ox and is expert sufficient to make performs and rip pucks. He strikes effectively in open ice and does an excellent job utilizing his measurement and energy to guard the puck, protect defenders, and provides himself a bit of extra time and area to make performs and discover teammates. He endears himself to coaches and teammates alike with an timeless dedication to working at his recreation and bettering.

No. 22: Maddox Dagenais, C, 6-foot-4, 196 kilos, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

If a staff believes he can play centre, the positional bias will lead to him being chosen larger than this rating. Dagenais is a assured younger man with NHL bloodlines. On-ice, it took him the higher a part of the primary half to grasp he might commonly influence the sport with out scoring and using his physicality. The turning level was the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, the place he completed each hit, hustled to free pucks, was a menace on the forecheck, and chipped in with an help. Aside from that, he’s received a professional shot with energy and accuracy. He is a quantity shooter. Dagenais has loads of room so as to add energy and muscle to an already spectacular body. I believe there’s some Todd Bertuzzi in him.  

No. 23: Tommy Bleyl, RD, 5-foot-11, 165 kilos, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

There’s plenty of Lane Hutson in his recreation, measurement included. Bleyl is an especially assured puck transporter/mover, who excels in plenty of areas of the offensive recreation. He’s an elite skater in all instructions. He’s received nice stick expertise and deception that work effectively at excessive velocity. His growth this yr has been gorgeous, contemplating he spent his draft minus-one yr in prep college. He led the QMJHL in assists with 68 and out-paced the next-closest rookie defenceman by 37 factors. Defending the frenzy, and chopping performs in impartial ice are his strengths. He must adapt his recreation to defending larger, stronger our bodies and can get an opportunity to try this in his subsequent cease at Michigan State. I consider he will likely be a PP1 quarterback on the NHL degree. 

No. 24: William Hakansson, LD, 6-foot-4, 207 kilos, Lulea (SHL) 

There’s loads of worth in a younger participant who is aware of his id. Hakansson is that man. He absolutely understands that his finest belongings lean closely to the defensive facet of the sport. He’s a tough, not essentially heavy participant, who makes use of his physique effectively to defend the online entrance. He leans on opponents to dislodge pucks, but in addition has the required puck expertise to start transition. He’s the kind of participant you possibly can see rounding out his recreation and including some secondary manufacturing down the street. In the meantime, he’s joyful to play to his strengths. 

No. 25: Oliver Suvanto, C, 6-foot-2, 207 kilos, Tappara (Liiga) 

There are so many issues to love about this participant. He’s nonetheless very younger and uncooked and regardless of enjoying a pro-style recreation, I consider it’ll take a while for him to reach on the NHL degree. His birthday is 2 weeks shy of him being eligible for subsequent yr’s draft as a substitute, but he spent the season enjoying towards professionals in Liiga. Understandably, he struggled to supply, regardless of getting center six minutes. While he confirmed a slight uptick in manufacturing when getting again towards his peer group, his numbers are underwhelming and that’s regarding.  

Suvanto examined effectively on the mix and already possesses a professional physique. He can work the corners, ward-off defenders and defend the puck extraordinarily effectively. His expertise translate effectively to suit a cycle staff, however there are fewer and fewer of these within the NHL yearly. He could go larger than this rating suggests, particularly if a staff feels there’s some unearthed offence in his projection.  

No. 26: Xavier Villeneuve, LD, 5-foot-11, 162 kilos, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

As a sub 6-foot defender, Villeneuve makes use of his motor and excessive compete to work via measurement points. He is a pacesetter on the ice and is responsible of taking issues into his personal palms now and again. He will get across the ice with velocity, quickness and has a zesty facet to his recreation. He’s had good numbers within the QMJHL, however will it translate to the following degree? If a staff doesn’t challenge that, can they nonetheless see sufficient defence to take a high-compete man who can play bottom-six minutes commonly? 

No. 27: Simas Ignatavicius, RW, 6-foot-3, 198 kilos, Geneva (SUI)

He has been laser-focused on turning into an NHL participant since he might speak. I like the truth that at an early age, he moved away from residence to pursue extra aggressive hockey. He has lived on his personal, discovered a number of languages, and mainly been an grownup since he turned a young person. Ignatavicius caught to his weapons and stayed in Switzerland to play professional throughout his draft yr, and it labored. He put up 20 targets and 40 factors in 29 video games enjoying for coach Ville Peltonen. 

Ignatavicius is an attention-grabbing type in that he idolizes Patrick Kane, however desires to sample his recreation after Matthew Tkachuk. He has an opportunity to be the very best drafted Lithuanian ever taken into the NHL. He comes from an athletic household, with a dad who performed professional basketball and a mom who performed handball. He has embraced an underdog mentality and is set to see that via this draft. 

No. 28: Nikita Shcherbakov, LD, 6-foot-5, 187 kilos, Ufa (Russia) 

An actual enigma on this draft class. It would’ve been good had he been in a position to make it to North America to play within the junior ranks. If he’d have been ready to try this, he may’ve appeared loads like Nikita Zadorov who went sixteenth general to Buffalo within the 2013 draft, and is now a pressure and somebody who has performed over 800 NHL video games.

Shcherbakov doesn’t but exhibit the kind of chew Zadorov performs with. Instead, he’s a clean skater who shows energy in his stride and he handles the puck very effectively for a participant his measurement. He’s efficient at being part of the frenzy, but in addition makes performs in his personal zone to provoke the frenzy. He transitioned from the MHL to the VHL in Russia and whereas his manufacturing took a small step backwards, he maintained high quality minutes. I can’t communicate to his character, however from a hockey perspective, there are a selection of groups that might take him.  

No. 29: Egor Shilov, C, 6-foot, 177 kilos, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) 

He has top-10 talent that ought to make him a a lot higher-ranked participant, however there’s concern about his play away from the puck, defensive play general and a constant compete degree. On the plus facet, Shilov has lightning fast palms and small space escapability. His imaginative and prescient is elite and people who play with him need to be able to obtain the puck wherever, at anytime.  

When engaged, he additionally works effectively alongside the wall and defending the puck. Like Klepov, Shilov spent final yr within the USHL. He practically tripled each his level and purpose totals, main all QMJHL rookies with 82 factors. In order to reap the benefits of that elite talent, a staff goes to wish a robust mentor in participant growth and robust management within the room to carry him to constantly excessive requirements.  

No. 30: Tobias Trejbal, G, 6-foot-4, 190 kilos, Youngstown (USHL) 

An attention-grabbing research little question. Trejbal instructions a room together with his measurement, fashion and smile. He meets all NHL groups’ top requirement for the place, and though goalies are typically lean, there’s nonetheless sufficient room on his body so as to add a bit of weight and plenty of energy, with out sacrificing athleticism. His finest trait is the calmness he brings to a recreation. He’s ready, poised and environment friendly. He’s calculating in how he goes about his enterprise, getting ready meticulously not simply via stretching, however via finding out his opponent as effectively. This calmness permeates all through the staff. Technically, he’s very sound. Trejbal strikes effectively and stays sq. to the puck. He absorbs pucks and those he can’t include he has objective in directing them out of hurt’s method. I’ve him as the primary goalie off the board, prone to be taken by a staff with a number of first-rounders.

No. 31: Maksim Sokolovskii, LD, 6-foot-7, 238 kilos, London Knights (OHL)

The measurement and sheer upside of this participant will see a staff take a flyer this late within the first spherical. The added consolation of a participant popping out of the London Knights program may even play a component right here.  

No. 32: Liam Ruck, RW, 5-foot-11, 187 kilos/Markus Ruck, C, 5-foot-11, 167 kilos, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

As twins who’ve spent lower than per week away from each other their whole lives, I really consider these brothers should be drafted collectively to maximise their abilities. That will likely be a tall order as plenty of issues need to fall proper for this to occur.

There will likely be plenty of groups who consider a break up will profit each gamers. They did tremendously profit from the departures of Gavin McKenna and Cayden Lindstrom from Medicine Hat, and took full benefit of the minutes-void left within the lineup.  

Liam is the right-shot shooter who improved from 25 targets and 41 factors to 45 targets and 104 factors this season. Markus is the left-shot playmaker who went from eight targets and 21 assists to an astounding 21 targets and 87 assists for 108 factors, ok to guide the WHL.  

Both gamers will want a few years to mature bodily. Their dad, Derek, additionally performed within the WHL and he stands 6-foot-3 and weighs over 200 kilos.