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https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-standouts-from-the-2026-whl-prospects-game

Recap of best players in the WHL prospects game.

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February 6, 2025 – Sarnia 5, Oshawa 3 (OHL)

Brooks Rogowski Oshawa General 24-Jun-08 6-6 220 RC (2026 Eligible, CS NA #14)
Rogowski has good size and is skilled handling the puck, able to weave through traffic to set up plays and get shots for himself. Showed speed tonight on the back check as well as in the offensive zone. Though he did not score (had one assist) he was dangerous all night, and had 7 total shots. Goes to the slot and the sides of the net, plays the left side on the power play and generates chances for himself and others. Missed a chance to break up a play that resulted in a Sarnia goal. Shows why he has a first round ranking for the draft. Currently slated to spend another year in the OHL before heading to Michigan State, but you wonder if the timeline might move up. Currently near a point per game, would likely score more on a better team. 35-10-19-29 so far this year.

Aiden O’Donnell Oshawa Generals 3-Jan-08 6-2 187 LW (2026 Eligible, CS NA #84)
O’Donnell was injured early in the year, then was traded from Brantford to Oshawa. He is 38-10-11-21 for the season, and has good speed and skill. Willing to go to net. Has good anticipation and is able to break up plays and join the rush. Mid rounds grade for the 2026 draft; ranking has dropped some due to injuries and less scoring than expected.

Brady Murnane Oshawa Generals 23-Apr-08 6-3 200 LD (2026 Eligible, CS NA #135)
Big physical defenseman that does not score much but is a mid to late round prospect for 2026 due to size and physical defensive play. Broke up a rush and pushed the puck carrier behind the net. Did join the rush a few times and had a shot on goal. 38-1-3-4 so far this year.

Vadim Smirnov Oshawa Generals 16-Jan-08 6-0 181 LW (2026 Eligible, CS NR)
Mid-sized player with good speed that can carry the puck in and will go to the net front for opportunities.
Able to break up plays and carry the puck in. Had several shots on one shift in the offensive zone.
Came to the OHL this year after scoring well with Dynamo Moscow junior teams. 42-8-6-14 so far and not ranked for the draft.

Matthew Humphries Oshawa Generals 28-Jul-08 6-4 196 G (2026 Eligible, CS NG 34)
Big goalie with good stats but few wins on the year due to the team rebuilding. Was very good early in the game but let in first two goals on wraparounds. Ranked as the #34 NA goalie for the draft. Good size and talent to work with but may drop through the draft as teams wait to see how he develops. 14-2.62-0.919-0 this year.

Alessandro Di Iorio Sarnia Sting 17-May-08 6-1 176 RW (2026 Eligible, CS NA #19)
Speedy and skilled winger who is consistently a threat. Stole a puck from the defenseman and had a shot close in. Hit the crossbar from the slot on the power play. Used speed to get a shot on the rush. Skill level shows why he could be a late first round pick in the 2026 draft. Was injured early in the year and scoring has lagged a bit – 31-12-9-21 so far, 1 assist in the game.

Beckham Edwards Sarnia Sting 6-Jan-08 6-1 170 LC (2026 Eligible, CS NA #46)
Good sized forward with scoring ability, 51-14-18-32 so far. Had 4 SOG in the game but did not score. Able to carry the puck well and get to scoring locations. Central Scouting ranked him at NA #46 skater so coud be 2nd-3rd round. Headed to Notre Dame in 2027.

Liam Beamish Sarnia Sting 4-Jan-07 5-11 178 LC (Undrafted 2025, CS NR)
Beamish is a smaller player who was passed over last year in the draft. Not ranked this year. Energetic and always around the action. Uses speed to keep possesion and set up plays. Kept possession on the penalty kill, was able to keep several puck in the offensive zone, had a nice steal and chipped a puck ahead to create an opportunity. 48-9-18-27 this year and headed to Penn State next season. Will need to keep high energy and improve scoring to get a chance at higher levels.

Cameron Aucoin Sarnia Sting 20-Mar-07 6-1 190 LD (Undrafted 2025, CS NR)
Son of Adrian Aucoin and older brother of Kaden Aucoin who is draft eligible next year. Cameron is active and makes smart plays. Decent scorer who will go to Notre Dame for the 2026 season. Fell through the draft last year and so far is not ranked this year. 49-6-15-21 this season.

2027 Eligibles:

33 Kaden Aucoin Sarnia Sting 14-Aug-09 6-2 184 RD
Kaden Aucoin is the younger brother of Cameron and is eligible for the draft next year. This year he is playing regularly but has only scored 43-1-2-3 while learning the OHL.

31 Kale Ostipenko Sarnia Sting 7-Oct-08 6-0 165 G
Ostipenko had 42 saves on the night and carried a shutout into the 3rd period. May be someone to watch for next year’s draft.

See all game notes at: hockeystew25.blogspot.com/

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February 5, 2026 – North Bay 5, Windsor 4 – SO (OHL)

Ryder Carey North Bay Battalion 2-Aug-08 6-0 188 C (2026 Eligible, CS NA #212)
Carey scored the tying goal in the 3rd. Announcers were complimenting him on his versatility and the sandpaper in his game. Interim ranking probably puts him outside of the draft right now. Currently 40-9-10-19 for the season, may need to score more next year to find a draft slot. Plays on the second power play.

Evgeny Dubrotsev North Bay Battalion 18-Mar-08 5-11 190 RC (2026 Eligible, CS NR)
Center with good size and able to break up plays on defense. Not ranked by Central Scouting for the 2026 draft. 49-6-16-22 for the season.

Parker Vaughan North Bay Battalion 6-Mar-08 6-1 190 RW (2026 Eligible, CS NA #141)
Had a goal on the power play and was aggressive in the 3rd period when the game was close. Went to the slot several times on offense to get chances. Passes well in offensive zone. 48-10-14-24 this year and has a mid to late round ranking for the 2026 draft.

Ryder Cali North Bay Battalion 6-Sep-08 6-2 201 LC (2026 Eligible, CS NA #22)
Big center who is highly ranked for the 2026 draft. Was very aggressive in the 3rd as the game was close. Has missed some games this season and is 27-11-5-16 right now. Made a good play from behind the net to set up a shot attempt.

Alexander Karmanov North Bay Battalion 22-Mar-08 7-0 280 LD (2026 Eligible, CS NA #194)
Karmanov is a huge defenseman that has only 12 games in so far and has 1 assist. He is playing a conservative defensive game right now, and does show decent agility, passing, and puck handling. He can occasionally get a shot on goal from the point. Will be interesting to see his development next year before he goes to Penn State in 2027. Ranked as a late round pick for the 2026 draft and might be worth a late pick for a long-term project.

Caden Harvey Windsor Spitfires 13-Feb-08 6-1 180 RW (2026 Eligible, CS NA #178)
Good sized forward with a late round ranking. Can get into the offensive zone and let go a hard shot and create plays. Could be a late round pick or drop through this year with a chance to jump into the draft in 2027. Currently 49-8-14-22 and will have another year in the OHL before playing for Penn State in 2027.

Beksultan Makysh Windsor Spitfires 24-May-08 5-10 175 LHRW (2026 Eligible, CS NR)
Small but fast and agile player originally from Khazakstan who is fun to watch and is always around the puck. Good puck control and shot. Played in the Boston area for 2 years before coming to the OHL this year. Not ranked by Central Scouting; would need to score more (currently 49-11-16-27) to be drafted this year, but could get consideration in 2027.

Ethan Belchetz Windsor Spitfires 30-Mar-08 6-5 227 LW (2026 Eligible, CS NA #9)
Belchetz showed why he is ranked top 10 for the 2026 draft. Had a tip in on a point shot, showed he was able to carry the puck through checks on the boards, and had a nice pass for an assist. Dangerous all night on offense. Currently 47-30-19-49 and ranked NA #9 skater for the draft.

Michael Newlove Windsor Spitfires 14-Jan-07 6-3 182 G (Undrafted 2025, CS NG #32)
Good sized goalie who had a hot start to the game, making several nice saves in the first half. Had a misplay with the defenseman behind the goal that led to a North Bay score. Dropped through the draft last year and is 18-2.88-0.885 this year with 1 shutout. One of his goals against was a shorthanded breakaway.

2027 Eligibles:

Cam Warren North Bay Battalion 7-May-09 5-10 159 RC (2027 Eligible)
Took a penalty early but showed some speed carrying in later in the game. 39-4-15-19 for the season.

John McLaughlin Windsor Spitfires 14-Aug-09 6-0 172 LC (2027 Eligible)
Quiet game, spent some time in the slot on offense. Currently 32-5-4-9 for the season.

——-

AJ Spellacy had a solid game for Windsor. Played on a line with Makysh and Alex Pharand. Won a couple of early draws on the penalty kill. Was showing speed and went to the front of the net several times. Took a pass from Pharand and skated it out front, the scored through traffic. Used speed several times to create rush opportunities. Now 39-11-10-21 this year.

Alex Pharand Windsor RW –
Had an assist on the Spellacy goal. 48-12-20-32 this year after coming back to the OHL from Toronto camp. No room in Chicago but could get another shot in the NHL.

See all game notes at: https://hockeystew25.blogspot.com/

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Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings – McKenna still #1 NA

https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/2026-nhl-draft-central-scouting-midterm-international-rankings

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also

CZE Galvas Tomas 11-Feb-06 5-10 148 LD L CS NR 7-3-6-9

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2026 Draft Eligibles – results from WJC. Bold/italic is point-per-game players.

USA Reid Chase 30-Dec-07 6′ 2″ 185 RD R CS A 5-2-2-4
USA Rheaume-Mullen Dakoda 18-Dec-06 6′ 0.5″ 182 LD L CS W 3-0-0-0

CAN Carels Carson 23-Jun-08 6′ 1″ 174 LD L CS A 5-0-1-1
CAN Verhoeff Keaton 19-Jun-08 6′ 4″ 212 RD R CS A 5-0-4-4
CAN McKenna Gavin 20-Dec-07 6′ 0″ 165 LW L CS A 7-4-10-14

SWE Stenberg Ivar 30-Sep-07 6′ 0″ 181 LW L CS A 7-4-6-10
SWE Björck Viggo 12-May-08 5′ 9″ 172 C R CS B 7-3-6-9
SWE Håkansson William 8-Oct-07 6′ 4″ 207 LD L CS B 7-0-2-2
SWE Karlsson Casper Juustovaara 25-Oct-07 5′ 8″ 168 C L CS W 7-2-0-2

FIN Suvanto Oliver 3-Sep-08 6′ 3″ 205 LW L CS A 7-2-0-2
FIN Piiparinen Juho 10-Aug-08 6′ 3″ 203 RD R CS A 4-0-1-1
FIN Vanhanen Matias 11-Sep-07 5′ 10.5″ 174 LW L CS W 7-0-6-6

CZE Novotný Adam 13-Nov-07 6′ 1″ 198 LW L CS A 7-0-3-3
CZE Vanecek Jakub 25-Feb-08 6′ 2″ 185 LD L CS B DNP
CZE Man Matyas 31-May-06 6′ 5″ 192 LD L CS NR 7-0-2-2
CZE Dravecký Vladimír 19-Dec-07 6′ 0″ 187 RD R CS B 7-0-0-0
CZE Orsulak Michal 26-Aug-07 6′ 4″ 220 G R CS C 4-0.860-3.20
CZE Stebetak Ondrej 19-Jul-07 6′ 1.5″ 173 G L CS C DNP

SVK Goljer Adam 7-Jun-08 6′ 3″ 194 RD R CS C 5-0-0-0
SVK Tomik Tobias 18-Dec-07 6′ 1″ 190 C L CS C 5-1-1-2
SVK Chrenko Tomas 2-Nov-07 5′ 11″ 170 C R CS C 5-5-3-8
SVK Nemec Adam 18-Oct-07 6′ 1″ 176 LW L CS B 5-1-4-5
SVK Misiak Alex 22-Jun-07 5′ 11.0″ 173 RW L CS NR 4-0-1-1
SVK Radivojevic Luka 3-Jan-07 5′ 9.25″ 165 RD R CS NR 4-1-4-5

LAT Smits Alberts 2-Dec-07 6′ 3″ 205 LD L CS A 5-1-4-5
LAT Murnieks Olivers 31-Jul-08 6′ 1″ 194 C L CS B 5-1-3-4
LAT Berzkalns Rudolfs 3-Mar-08 6′ 4″ 203 LW L CS C 5-1-0-1
LAT Klaucans Martins 8-Jul-08 6′ 0″ 190 LW L CS NR 5-0-1-1
LAT Flugins Karlis 11-Nov-07 5′ 11″ 185 RW R CS NR 5-1-0-1

SUI Steiner Lars 12-Nov-07 5′ 11″ 181 RW R CS B 5-1-3-4

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CHI Prospects:
USA Spellacy AJ 24-Feb-06 6′ 3″ 205 C R CHI 2024 Rd 3 5-1-3-4
SWE Frondell Anton 7-May-07 6′ 1″ 205 LW L CHI 2025 Rd 1 7-5-3-8
CZE Nestrasil Vaclav 6-Apr-07 6′ 6″ 190 RW R CHI 2025 Rd 1 7-2-6-8

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All the preliminary rosters are in for the WJC. Here’s a list of some of the players to watch for the 2026 draft (plus the CHI prospects):

USA Reid Chase 30-Dec-07 6′ 2″ 185 RD R CS A
USA Rheaume-Mullen Dakoda 18-Dec-06 6′ 0.5″ 182 LD L CS W
USA Spellacy AJ 24-Feb-06 6′ 3″ 205 C R CHI 2024 Rd 3

CAN Carels Carson 23-Jun-08 6′ 1″ 174 LD L CS A
CAN Verhoeff Keaton 19-Jun-08 6′ 4″ 212 RD R CS A
CAN McKenna Gavin 20-Dec-07 6′ 0″ 165 LW L CS A
CAN Vanacker Marek 12-Apr-06 6′ 1″ 187 LW L CHI 2024 Rd 1

SWE Stenberg Ivar 30-Sep-07 6′ 0″ 181 LW L CS A
SWE Björck Viggo 12-May-08 5′ 9″ 172 C R CS B
SWE Håkansson William 8-Oct-07 6′ 4″ 207 LD L CS B
SWE Karlsson Casper Juustovaara 25-Oct-07 5′ 8″ 168 C L CS W
SWE Frondell Anton 7-May-07 6′ 1″ 205 LW L CHI 2025 Rd 1

FIN Suvanto Oliver 3-Sep-08 6′ 3″ 205 LW L CS A
FIN Piiparinen Juho 10-Aug-08 6′ 3″ 203 RD R CS A
FIN Vanhanen Matias 11-Sep-07 5′ 10.5″ 174 LW L CS W

CZE Novotný Adam 13-Nov-07 6′ 1″ 198 LW L CS A
CZE Vanecek Jakub 25-Feb-08 6′ 2″ 185 LD L CS B
CZE Dravecký Vladimír 19-Dec-07 6′ 0″ 187 RD R CS B
CZE Orsulak Michal 26-Aug-07 6′ 4″ 220 G R CS C
CZE Stebetak Ondrej 19-Jul-07 6′ 1.5″ 173 G L CS C
CZE Nestrasil Vaclav 6-Apr-07 6′ 6″ 190 RW R CHI 2025 Rd 1

SVK Goljer Adam 7-Jun-08 6′ 3″ 194 RD R CS C
SVK Tomik Tobias 18-Dec-07 6′ 1″ 190 C L CS C
SVK Chrenko Tomas 2-Nov-07 5′ 11″ 170 C R CS C
SVK Nemec Adam 18-Oct-07 6′ 1″ 176 LW L CS B
SVK Misiak Alex 22-Jun-07 5′ 11.0″ 173 RW L CS NR
SVK Radivojevic Luka 3-Jan-07 5′ 9.25″ 165 RD R CS NR

LAT Smits Alberts 2-Dec-07 6′ 3″ 205 LD L CS A
LAT Murnieks Olivers 31-Jul-08 6′ 1″ 194 C L CS B
LAT Berzkalns Rudolfs 3-Mar-08 6′ 4″ 203 LW L CS C
LAT Klaucans Martins 8-Jul-08 6′ 0″ 190 LW L CS NR
LAT Flugins Karlis 11-Nov-07 5′ 11″ 185 RW R CS NR

SUI Steiner Lars 12-Nov-07 5′ 11″ 181 RW R CS B

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https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2025/12/14/blackhawks-prospects-vaclav-nestrasil-umass-hockey-offense-off-the-rush

Nestrasil story today from the Sun-Times

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http://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1608/finland-u20

Finland roster for World juniors.

C Suvanto and D Piiparainen are highly ranked for the draft (CS A prospects).

F Vanhanen wasn’t drafted last year but is having a good year at Everett WHL (30-7-37-44).

F Vilho Vanhatalo (CS B for 2026 draft) is not on the roster.

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Mason West playing for Fargo tonight. Streaming on Flo Sports.

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http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-world-juniors-preview-team-slovakia-schedule-roster-projection

World juniors preview for Slovakia from Daily Faceoff.

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Sweden preliminary roster for World juniors:

Frondell is there.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team/756/sweden-u20

F Ivar Stenberg is ranked top 5 for 2026 draft
F Casper Juustovara Karlsson is small but looked good in the one game I saw, draft eligible 2026
F Viggo Bjorck is a likely first rounder in 2026, may drop a little due to size
D William Hakansson is huge and has a lot of talent, should be mid-1st or so in the 2026 draft

D Malte Gustafsson is not on the roster. Also expected to be 1st rounder in 2026

• This reply was modified 4 months ago by totem.

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Slovakia roster 2026 world juniors:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1634/slovakia-u20

Alex Misiak (brother of Martin) is there. D Goljer and F Tomik are round 2-3 for 2026 draft.

Looks like there are a lot of players that fell through the draft last year like Misiak did.

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Vaclav Nestrasil on the Czechia roster for the IIHF World Juniors starting Dec. 26.

Full team here:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/czechia-unveils-roster-for-world-junior-championship/

Some players who might be interesting to watch:
G Michal Orsulak has had a nice season so far in Prince Albert (1.99 GA, 0.919 SP) after going undrafted last year (CS C).

D Vladimir Dravecky plays at Brantford with Vanacker and Holmes and can drive the play with excellent passing. 2026 draft eligible (CS B).

D Tomas Galvas is the brother of Jakub Galvas who was a CHI draft pick several years ago. Tomas has gone undrafted past 2 years.

D Matyas Man is a big (6-6, 203) player just came over to Prince Albert this year and is still adjusting to NA. Physical but not scoring much so far. No idea if he has any draft prospects; went undrafted last 2 years.

D Jakub Vanecek is big (6-2 194) and also scoring pretty well at Tri-City WHL (23-5-10-15). New to NA, draft eligible this year. (CS B)

F Adam Novotny is a top 20 pick for 2026 (CS A). Good size (6-1, 205), 26-16-13-29 so far in Peterborough.

——————–

Jiri Felcman (CHI Rd. 3 2023) played last year but isn’t on the roster this year.

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Preliminary USA roster out for IIHF World Juniors. Spellacy is on the list along with 3 draft eligibles. 28 to camp, 25 on the final team. Camp starts Dec. 15.

https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1350759

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