The 2026 WHL draft-eligible class appears to be a truly generational year for defencemen, with 3 projected first-round locks on top of a variety of early day two hopefuls. The forward depth is a little weaker up top, but it boasts an extremely deep group, especially down the wings. Rounding out the class is a reliable group of WHL starters that could pan out at the next level with the right development. Though it will be hard to replicate the 9 NHL first-round picks that came from the WHL ranks last June, the 2026 class is a star-studded group in their own right.

Defenceman

The biggest strength of this year’s WHL draft-eligible class is easily its excellent crop of defencemen. Despite losing Keaton Verhoeff to the NCAA ranks, the WHL still boasts three potential lottery picks, along with a group of potential depth defenders at the NHL level. 

Carson Carels – Prince George Cougars

The consensus top WHL draft-eligible defenceman this season is Carson Carels. The seventeen-year-old turned heads in December when he was selected to Canada’s World Juniors roster as an underager. It is easy to see why both Team Canada and NHL scouts are high on Carels. He is one of the league’s heaviest-relied-upon defenders, being tasked with upwards of 25 minutes a night. Carels is not just munching those minutes; he is thriving in them. The Cypress River native leverages his high hockey IQ into excellent production in all areas. Defensively, he has good physicality for his age and is strong at closing out attackers. On the offensive end, Carels is a powerful skater with a booming slapshot and solid playmaking vision. His World Junior experience lit a fire under Carels, who has been one of the league’s most consistent players since returning, as he tallied a point in 16 consecutive games before his streak was snapped this past weekend. Carels further boosted his draft stock at the WHL Top Prospects game this Wednesday, where he assisted on all four of Team West’s goals. There are some question marks around his offensive ceiling at the next level, but Carels is widely regarded as the most projectable defender in the WHL.

Daxon Rudolph – Prince Albert Raiders

Daxon Rudolph projects to be another future top of the lineup defenceman out of the WHL. After a slower start to his junior career in 2025, Rudolph has hit the ground running in his draft-eligible season. The former first overall pick currently sits third in defenceman scoring league-wide, helping lead the Raiders to first place in the Eastern Conference. Similar to Carels, Rudolph relies upon his high-end hockey IQ to make plays. His mobility allows him to find and manipulate space in the offensive zone, where he can beat goaltenders clean with his NHL-level shot. He is also one of, if not the best, defenders among top prospects, using his size and reach to disrupt plays. He has shown the potential to run a power play at the next level this season, setting a new Prince Albert record for power play goals by a defenceman. Rudolph shone at the WHL Top Prospects game, where he scored the overtime winner for team East, earning him player of the game honours. 

Ryan Lin – Vancouver Giants

Ryan Lin rounds out the big three of WHL defencemen, but he certainly is not just a consolation prize for a team that misses on the prior two. Of all the defenders in the class, Lin is probably the smartest. His head is constantly up, allowing him to read the play exceptionally well. Offensively, he has all the tools to quarterback a power play at the next level. He is an agile skater with good vision and an improved shot from last season. He has been a streaky producer this season, with as many multi-point games as scoreless outings (16). It should be considered that the supporting cast around him is nowhere near the level of his two peers ahead of him, but teams will likely look for more steady production to end the season. The main knock on Lin is his height. Though he stands at just 5’11”, Lin competes hard on defence while using his stick and IQ to disrupt plays. If everything pans out, he could be elite offensively like Adam Fox, but he, too, will have the same concerns that kept Fox off the USA’s Olympic roster as a smaller defenceman who is not the strongest.

Jakub Vanecek – Tri-City Americans

Jakub Vanecek is a tier below the big three, but is a very formidable defender in his own right. The 6’2” defender is a strong-skating, two-way defender who has carved out a big role as a rookie with the Americans. The Czech native leads Tri City in both goals and points from a defenceman, using his booming slapshot to be a threat in the opposing zone. He is more of a meat-and-potatoes defender with puck, as he will not wow you with creativity, while still being someone you trust to not turn it over. His calling card defensively is his mobility, which allows him to defend the rush and in the zone. His strong rookie campaign earned him a selection to the Czech World Junior team, though he did not suit up in game action. 

Ben MacBeath – Calgary Hitmen

Ben MacBeath has quickly emerged as the Hitmen’s top defenceman upon making the leap from the BCHL this season. The hometown kid has carved out a role on both of Calgary’s special team units as a rookie. MacBeath loves to jump into the play and help create offence using his mobility, though it can occasionally get him into some trouble. In his own zone, he uses his skating and reach to challenge defenders on the rush, and he has fairly solid positioning. He is likely going to need to improve his physicality, specifically net-front, in order to make an impact at the pro level. Luckily, the Calgary native will make the jump to the NCAA’s University of Denver in the future, which should help that area of his game. It is hard to project jack-of-all-trades defenders like MacBeath, but his WHL production certainly gives optimism for his development going forward. 

Giorgos Pantelas – Brandon Wheat Kings

Giorgos Pantelas has emerged as one of the premier shutdown defenders in the WHL this season. After a strong showing in the playoffs last year, the Laval native added more muscle in the offseason, allowing him to improve his physical play. He has an exceptional stick, which, paired with his mobility, makes Pantelas a stalwart in the neutral zone. After flashing some offensive potential with 15 points through his first 19 games, Pantelas cooled off with 11 more in his next 32 games, before tallying points in his last 6 games, including a career–best four–point outing in his most recent outing. Though he likely does not have the tools to be an offensive guy at the next level, he is reliable enough with the puck to project into a depth role in the pros.

Wingers

Another one of the 2026 WHL Draft Eligible class is at the winger position. With some possible stars up top and a strong amount of depth, there is a long list of future NHL candidates down the wings.

JP Hurlbert – Kamloops Blazers

JP Hurlbert is the clear-cut top winger in the WHL class. At just 17 years of age, the Texas native leads the entire CHL in points with 84. The former USNTDP standout is one of the most creative players in the class, from any league. Hurlbert also has one of the more well-rounded offensive skillsets. He can stick-handle in a phone booth, use his vision to find linemates, find soft spots in the defence, and beat goalies clean with his already NHL-calibre shot. Many scouts and media members have voiced concerns with how his skating and compete level will affect his projection at the next level. Though he is not the fastest skater, we have seen similar prospects labelled as poor skaters (like Ben Kindel) thrive as rookies in the NHL. As far as the motor concerns go, Hurlbert can cheat for offence at times, but overall he is committed to his two-way play. If these concerns cause him to fall in the draft, he could be one of the biggest steals.

Mathis Preston – Vancouver Giants

Mathis Preston entered the season with high expectations after a strong rookie season and stellar Hlinka Gretzky Cup. However, things did not go to plan for the Penticton native in 2025, as he failed to take the leap that many expected of him. Numbers do not tell the whole story for Preston, as his team, the Spokane Chiefs, saw the departures of their top 5 leading scorers from last season. Though his numbers are not eye-popping, the former WHL third overall pick is one of the most dynamic individual creators in the class. He is a true blazer off the rush, who loves to drive to the middle of the ice. In the zone, Preston has a fast and dangerous release that can beat goalies clean. Preston began to catch fire heading into 2026, with 12 points through his last 9 games, before unfortunately going down with a knee injury in his second game with the Vancouver Giants. 

Liam Ruck – Medicine Hat Tigers

Alongside his twin brother Markus and the star defensive duo of Jonas Woo and Bryce Pickford, Liam has helped the Medicine Hat Tigers remain serious contenders, even after the departures of Gavin McKenna, Ryder Ritchie, Cayden Lindstrom, and countless others. Of the twins, Liam plays a more balanced offensive game, with a good release and a willingness to rip the puck. He also skates well and has a knack for finding scoring areas. Liam earned his coach’s trust with his relentless effort and willingness to go to the dirty areas. He likely will not be a star scorer at the next level, but with proper development, he could be a thorn in opposing teams’ sides from the bottom six.

Chase Harrington – Spokane Chiefs

Chase Harrington is a skilled winger who has rounded out his game this season. After cracking the 50-point mark in his pre-draft season as a more offensive-minded scorer, Harrington has improved his physicality and played with more edge in 2025-2026. Consistency had been a struggle for Harrington in his young WHL career, but it appears that he is putting those challenges behind him, as he has recorded points in 16 of his last 20 outings, helping him match his totals from last season in 20 fewer games. If he can continue to build his physicality while chipping in offensively, he could mould into a menacing depth piece at the NHL level.

Tyus Sparks – Spokane Chiefs

Tyus Sparks turned heads in the preseason, scoring 7 goals and 2 assists in just 3 games. He parlayed this performance into a breakout season, already tripling his totals from last year’s rookie campaign with over 10 games left to play. The Idaho native started his draft-eligible season with the Vancouver Giants before being shipped to Spokane in exchange for the aforementioned Mathis Preston. Sparks has brought his goal-scoring touch to the Chiefs, with 9 goals in his first 17 games with the club. His offensive game is built around his high IQ, strong hands, and accurate shot. He has a knack for finding the soft spots in the defence, both in the slot and on the back door, setting himself up to use his quick release to find the back of the net. 

Jonah Sivertson – Prince Albert Raiders

Jonah Sivertson’s stellar rookie campaign has been one of the key reasons that the Raiders went from a playoff team to a true contender. The Regina native dominated U18AAA alongside 2025 WHL top pick Maddox Schultz, as the duo led the Regina Pat Canadians to a Telus Cup championship. The 6’3” forward has a well-rounded offensive skillset with a quick release and a strong compete level. The rookie has also done almost all of his damage at even strength, while having the second-highest plus-minus on a loaded Prince Albert team. With a unique blend of size and skill, Sivertson could be a big draft riser.

Beckett Hamilton – Red Deer Rebels

Beckett Hamilton is a crafty dual-threat winger who has been the key offensive cog for the Rebels this season. The Regina native is a scrappy goalscorer near the opposing crease, while his edgework and stickhandling allow him to manipulate defenders and open up passing lanes to teammates. Playing for a relatively weak Red Deer club, Hamilton has mainly slipped under the major public scouting radar this season, but his strong WHL Top Prospects Game served as an introduction to the public. 

Kalder Varga – Red Deer Rebels

After a strong Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Kalder Varga entered the season with high expectations for the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets. As the Rockets struggled out of the gates, excess pressure was placed on the sophomore as Kelowna looked to right the ship, but Varga was unable to take a step forward. Come the deadline, Varga was granted a change of scenery, joining the rebuilding Rebels. The move has paid dividends for the Illinois native so far, as Varga has made the jump many expected of him going into the year. In Red Deer, Varga has already accumulated 18 points in just 22 games, after scoring 11 in 32 with Kelowna. He has all the tools to be a strong depth option, with great wheels, fast hands, and zippy release. Varga will take his talents to a proven winner post-draft, as he is set to join Denver University in 2027-2028.

Riley Boychuk – Prince Albert Raiders

Riley Boychuk was the second of Prince Albert’s 3 top-7 picks in the 2023 WHL, being selected 2nd overall behind teammate Daxon Rudolph. The Cochrane native is in the midst of a breakout season for the Eastern Conference’s top team, jumping from 29 points in his rookie year to 52 through 57 games of his sophomore season. Interestingly, he was a much more even scorer in 2024-25, before transitioning into a primary passer on the power play in 2026. Boychuk does most of his goal scoring off the rush, while he does his playmaking on the man advantage. He may be undervalued in the draft as a smaller winger who does a lot of his damage on the power play, but the talent that earned him the 2nd overall pick could make him a player who breaks out post-draft.

Centers

If there is a weakness of the 2026 WHL draft class, it is likely up the middle. That is not to say that there are not any future NHL centermen out of Western Canada this season, but rather that the overall group is quite shallow compared to other position groups.

Markus Ruck – Medicine Hat Tigers

Markus is much more of a pass-first player compared to his twin brother, but he does a lot of the same things well. While neither of the brothers have truly great size, their motor and grit help them play bigger than their frame. While Markus is not as much of a threat to score on his own, he has been an exceptional playmaker this season, currently leading the WHL in assists. With the duo being projected as 2nd round level prospects, we could see a team elect to select both brothers, allowing them to continue to develop together.

Cooper Williams – Saskatoon Blades

Williams started the season ranked higher after leading all true rookies in scoring last season with 57 points in 68. Like Preston, many expected Williams to take a step forward this season, and while that has not happened, he has maintained his steady production from 2025. Williams has solid skills, but is light for his height as a centerman, and will need to strengthen up for the next level. Luckily, Williams will continue his development at the University of North Dakota in the future, where Keaton Verhoeff, Cole Reschny, and Will Zellers have taken steps forward.

Andrei Molgachev – Calgary Hitmen

Andrei Molgachev is an extremely flashy centerman in the midst of a sensational rookie campaign. The Russian-born scorer dominated 16U AAA last season for Little Caesars, amassing a jaw-dropping 153 points in 63 games. In 2025-26, Molgachev has made the seamless transition to the WHL, scoring over a point-per-game so far, which is good for third in team scoring. The Magnitogorsk native is a true dual threat in the offensive zone with a natural goalscoring touch paired with quick hands and good vision. The knock on Molgachev is his size, being listed at just 5’9”.  He will have the opportunity to develop physically against bigger and more physical opponents post-draft, as he is set to join UConn in 2027-2028.

Noah Kosick – Seattle Thunderbirds

Noah Kosick is another undersized, but extremely skilled centerman. The Michigan commit was highly touted in his draft year, being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 WHL Draft. Kosick made the late transition to the WHL last season, joining the Calgary Hitmen following the NCAA rule changes. The Victoria native struggled to carve out a role on an extremely deep Hitmen squad, scoring just 3 points in 34 games played. He was then shipped to Swift Current in the offseason, where he was granted a much larger role in the offence, allowing him to break out for the Broncos.  

Goalies

Though they may lack a true superstar goalie up top, the 2026 WHL goalie class features a variety of options that have the potential to develop into starters at the next level.

Tobias Tvrznik – Wenatchee Wild

Tobias Tvrznik has not only been one of the WHL’s best draft-eligible netminders this season, but one of the best, period. Despite playing for one of the Western Conference’s worst teams, Tvrznik boasts a top-5 save percentage league-wide at 0.914 in a large sample size of 36 games as the Wenatchee starter. A rare southpaw, the Litomerice native stands tall at 6’4”, and his strong positioning in the crease makes him hard to beat. Though he is an overager for the class, Tvrznik is regarded highly by NHL Central Scouting, being ranked in the top-5 of North American goalies.

Michal Orsulak – Prince Albert Raiders

Michal Orsulak took over the crease for the Prince Albert Raiders this season, providing stability in goal for the East’s top team. Orsulak has posted a reliable 0.900 save percentage and a 0.236 Goals Against Average enroute to a 21-4-3 record in his WHL rookie season. His strong play earned him the nod as Czechia’s starter at the 2026 World Juniors, where he helped lead the team to a Silver medal in Minnesota. Like his countryman Tvrznik, Orsulak is another 6’4”, re-entry, southpaw who is highly rated by NHL Central Scouting, polling second among North American netminders.

Xavier Wendt – Tri-City Americans

Xavier Wendt caught the attention of the hockey world when he scored a goalie goal in a shutout victory earlier this season. Though that performance stands out as his best of the year, Wendt has been extremely reliable in goal for the Americans this season, sporting the third-highest save percentage in the league, despite playing for a fringe playoff team. 

It will be hard to repeat the 9 first-round picks the WHL saw drafted in 2025, but the 2026 class remains an excellent crop in its own right. While the biggest strength of the class is easily its defence, the rest of the group could provide key depth that NHL clubs need to build championship rosters.

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.