Detroit goalie prospect Rudy Guimond (2023 6th round, 169th overall) is having a fantastic season for playoff-bound Moncton in the QMJHL. Through 43 games this season, he has compiled a record of 33-7-3, to go along with a .919 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average. This comes on the heels of a 16-0-0 start in 2024-25, upon joining the Wildcats after last season’s commencement. He will attend Harvard University this fall.
Columbus d-man prospect Jackson Smith (2025 1st round, 14th overall) has been one of the primary contributors to the success of 6th-ranked Penn State University this season. So far in his freshman campaign, he has amassed 24 points (11G 13A) in 30 games for the Nittany Lions, his goals total setting a new team record for most tallies in a single season by a PSU defender. In his draft season (2024-25), he totaled 54 points (11G 43A) in 68 games for Tri-City in the WHL.
Montreal d-man prospect Bryce Pickford (2025 3rd round, 81st overall) has been one of the most productive players in the CHL this season. Playing for Medicine Hat in the WHL, Pickford has 73 points (38G 35A) in 48 games thus far, and has captained the playoff-bound Tigers to the third-best points total in the league. He signed an entry-level contract with the Canadians on Christmas Eve.
Vancouver forward prospect Braeden Cootes (2025 1st round, 15th overall) has had a most interesting draft+1 year. He began the season with Vancouver for three games, returned to his then-WHL club Seattle for another 17 contests, then was traded to Prince Albert, where he has played 30 games thus far. Through it all, he has put up 53 points (21G 32A) for Seattle/Prince Albert, and has helped the Raiders clinch the WHL’s Eastern Conference title. Ranked as the #3 prospect in the Canucks’ system in the pre-season per NHL Central Scouting, he is considered by many to now be Vancouver’s top prospect.
Dallas forward prospect Cameron Schmidt (2025 3rd round, 94th overall) has been nothing short of a scoring machine this season for Seattle in the WHL. Through 63 games (39 with Vancouver, and 24 with Seattle), Schmidt has 89 points (43G 46A), and is on pace to eclipse the 100-point mark. Although he is unsigned at this point, he is projected to join the Stars in 2026-27.
Washington forward prospect Ilya Protas (2024 3rd round, 75th overall) recently broke a 74-year-old record for Hershey in the AHL. His 21st goal of the season, scored this past Friday, is the most by a 19-year-old in team history, breaking a record set in 1951-52 by Réal Chevrefils. On the season, Protas has managed 45 points (22G 23A) in 55 games. As NHL Central Scouting projected his NHL arrival to occur this season, he may make an appearance in Washington this spring.