Top prospects with star potential preparing for the 2026 NHL Draft

Many NHL fans already know the name Gavin McKenna, who is the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. His commitment to Penn State for the 2025-26 season made sports headlines across the country and sparked conversations about the viabiity of NCAA as a junior hockey development program.

But there are a number of other talented young skaters that should also get a close look from scouts as the upcoming season progresses.

Viggo Björck, Djurgårdens (U20)

As a 17-year-old who was promoted to the U20 squad and immediately began breaking scoring records, Viggo Björck has already commanded the attention of scouts. He broke out with 27 goals and 74 points in 42 games played, facing off against older and more competitive opponents. Björck even made his Hockey Allsvenskan debut, the second-highest league in Sweden behind the SHL, scoring a goal in his first and only game with the club (so far).

His style of play is built around his creativity and sharp hockey instincts that allow him to craft plays that set his teammates up in the prime position to convert on opportunities. Not only that, but he has a quick release when it comes to shooting, and his puckhandling is a cut above the rest.

Most impressively, Björck has already begun to refine his two-way play and is not limited to his playmaking abilities. He also knows when to engage in puck battles, effectively coming out of them with possession more often than not, and has displayed the ability to be a center who can play both sides of the puck. This type of innate hockey sense and compete level is highly transferrable to the NHL, and Björck is expected to go in the top five of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Ryan Roobroeck, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Consistently ranked in the top five draft-eligible prospects, Ryan Roobroeck is a center with a coveted skillset. Standing at 6'4" and 190 lb, he is able to use his frame to dig out pucks from tough areas and provide a strong netfront presence, but he offers much more than just a big body. Roobroeck is a versatile forward with skilled puckhandling, strong possession, and a wicked shot that can produce scoring chances.

Roobroeck immediately made an impact as a 16-year-old playing for the IceDogs, setting a new club record for most goals by a rookie of any age. He scored 28 goals and 51 points in 63 games in 2023-24, building on that with an explosive 41 goals and 87 points in 61 matchups this past season.

Now 17 years old, Roobroeck says his favorite player to watch is Patrick Kane and while he may not perfectly emulate that style of play just yet, he employs a well-rounded game that is difficult to match.

"He’s a big body who has a tremendous shot, and can make plays down low. ... For a defenseman, you have to have a good gap because he doesn’t need much time to release his shot, and when he does, it’s a goal-scorer’s shot.
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Team Canada coach Cory Stillman, via THN

Keaton Verhoeff, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

One of the top-ranked defenders of the 2026 NHL Draft, Keaton Verhoeff has everything that a scout looks for in a two-way defenseman: the offensive instincts to chip in with a powerful shot or a smooth pass to generate chances, as well as the simplicity to make the smart choice in maintaining possession over the riskier, flashier plays.

FCHockey scout Joshua Roth described that Verhoeff "plays with bite and physicality that you don’t often see anymore, especially from a player with his offensive skill." With a strong frame at 6'4" and 211 lb already at age 17, he chipped in with 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games with the WHL's Victoria Royals this past season, becoming a staple on the power play and skating big minutes in all situations.

Verhoeff is slated to play at the University of North Dakota's elite NCAA program for the upcoming season, which will give him the chance to fine-tune some of his skills against a competitive set of opponents who will challenge him to keep improving.