It’s no secret that the 2026 NHL Draft features numerous high-end D prospects, and many are shining when it matters most. For example, Chase Reid (4th-ranked draft prospect among North American skaters) of Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL is back to his old ways in his return to the Greyhounds’ lineup. After sustaining an upper-body injury costing him 17 games, Reid responded by scoring twice in 5 games to help the Soo to a 4-1 series victory over London. In addition to his scoring, Reid was on the ice for Game 1’s OT winner, and has added much more of a physical edge to his game. This has led to him playing more of a shut-down role for the Greyhounds.
Speaking of shut-down d-men, Keaton Verhoeff (#2) of the University of North Dakota has helped guide the Fighting Hawks to a berth in the NCAA national semifinals. Already a mountain of a man at 17 years old (6’4″ 212 LBS), Verhoeff and UND allowed no goals in their first two tournament games, which included the nation’s leading scorer (59 points) in Quinnipiac University forward Ethan Wyttebach (CGY). In those two games, they allowed just 53 shots. Verhhoeff logged over 20 minutes of ice time per game, and as a teenager is asked to log the toughest assignments against top-6 opponents.
Over in the WHL, Daxon Rudolph (#6) of Prince Albert continues to sparkle. Rudolph had 7 points (3G 4A) in the Raiders’ 5-game series win against Red Deer. Rudolph excelled on both sides of the puck, also playing his usual physically dominant game on the back end due to a mean streak and rather intimidating frame (6’2″ 203 LBS.).
Sticking with the WHL for a moment, Prince George’s Carson Carels (#3) sustained a facial injury in Game 1 of the Cougars’ first-round series with Spokane. After missing Games 2 and 3 of the series, Carels returned in Game 4, and had two assists in Game 5. The Cougars lead the series 3-2. Carels hasn’t gotten to display his full talent yet, but will get that opportunity should Prince George advance past the Chiefs.
Over in Germany, Latvian-born Albert Smits is experiencing his first playoff for EHL Munchen in the DEL (Germany’s top professional league). Smits already has compiled 4 points (2G 2A) in 6 games, helping his team to a berth in the league semifinals. The 6’3″ Smits only turned 18 in December, yet he is no stranger to competing – and thriving – against grown men. Not only did he compete for Latvia’s word junior team this season (where they were quarter-finalists), he also played for his country’s Olympic team in Italy, where he recorded two assists in four games. Also, and before being loaned to Munchen for their playoff run, he competed for Jukurit in Liiga (Finland’s top pro league) essentially for the entire year. Smits tallied 13 points (6G 7A) in Finland this season, and will return to Jukurit in 2026-27.