While college hockey has disrupted the way young hockey players decide where to go next, the other leagues have all adapted as well. There is no straight path, and as a result, we find some interesting case studies.
Florida’s Jonas Kemps is an interesting player. He’s a 6-6 defenseman who went from the NTDP U17 team to the Chicago Steel in the USHL. The Panthers took him in the fourth round in this year’s draft because they know he’s on a longer path and are willing to let him develop. He is tracking as a bottom-pairing defensive defenseman. His long reach will help that. Now, he is playing in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds next season.
They have a great coach in Matt O’Dette, who has been there since 2013-14 as an assistant coach and 2017-18 as a head coach. After that, the big blueliner will head to Michigan State. Enter Adam Nightingale, another gem of a coach who will help guide this player through his development before he ever hits Florida.
MIchal Orsulak was selected in the third round by the Detroit Red Wings in this year’s draft, after being passed over last year. He had a heck of a year (28-4-4 record) between the pipes for Prince Albert in the WHL. The year before in Czechia, he didn’t trust himself, and now playing in North America he does.
He’s in the right headspace, and that’s true development. There’s a long way to go to get to the NHL, but now he’s on a better path. He committed to Northeastern, and I’ve stayed in touch with him along the way, and I’ve been impressed with him on and off the ice. His mental game has come a long way.
Simas Ignatavicius was drafted 40th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2026 NHL Draft. He’s only the fourth Lithuanian drafted into the NHL. He learned how to play hockey in a mall because he went there for some pizza and noticed the action on the ice. Next season, the 6-3, over 200-pound forward will play in Switzerland for another season – – against men. He will be 19 in October, and it’s his next move that will be interesting.
An OHL or WHL team didn’t draft him. So no team holds his rights. Does he play in the AHL next season? Or will he choose the NCAA route? There is no word on what he’ll do, but his next move will probably be determined by the year he has left. It’s a pretty universal belief that he will play in the NHL someday.
Last but not least, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Timofei Runtso with the 57th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. After playing for the Los Angeles Junior Kings in 2023-24, the defenseman chose to play for the St. Cloud Norsemen in the NAHL. Then he moved to the Victoria Royals in the WHL, where he scored 11 goals with 33 assists, showing a quick shot that gets to the net. He’s a right-handed shot blueliner as well, so his value continues to rise in his draft year.
Next year he will play for Miami University, a program that should be on the rise.
Things will continue to adapt, and ultimately, players have more choices to make.
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