An Austrian ice hockey talent is currently causing a stir across the Atlantic. The 18-year-old Viennese Leon Kolarik has made it onto the NHL Central Scouting watch list and is considered a promising candidate for the 2026 NHL draft – this is what “LAOLA” reports.

The winger, who is currently playing his first season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Peterborough Petes, impresses with consistently strong performances. In the first eleven games of the new season, Kolarik collected ten points (five goals, five assists) and is therefore one of the best scorers on his team. Only the experienced Canadian Matthew Soto and the Czech young star Adam Novotny currently have better values.

From the Viennese youth to the OHL

Kolarik began his career in the Vienna Capitals youth program before moving to the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy in Salzburg in 2021. There he quickly developed into one of the most striking offensive players in his age group. In the 2023/24 season he finally received his first appearances in the EC Red Bull Salzburg professional team in the win2day ICE Hockey League and was able to record one goal and two assists in seven games.

Kolarik took his next career step last summer. He was selected 63rd overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Peterborough Petes in the second round. The move to North America turned out to be the right choice. He established himself as an integral part of the team early on and attracted attention with his understanding of the game.

Good starting position for the 2026 NHL draft

NHL Central Scouting currently gives Kolarik a “C-Rating,” which puts him in the category of a possible fourth- to fifth-round pick. The Viennese is following in the footsteps of recent Austrian draft picks such as Gregor Biber (Utah Mammoth) and Vasili Zelenov (Buffalo Sabres), who were drafted in 2024.

The exceptional Canadian player Gavin McKenna is currently the clear favorite for the number 1 pick. But with his development overseas, Kolarik has shown that Austrian talent can also compete internationally.

Image: Bernd Feil – EC Red Bull Salzburg