BEST GOALIE PROSPECTS IN 2026 NHL DRAFT

In the previous blog, I wrote about the top defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft. This blog will be on the top goaltenders in the 2026 NHL Draft, and which one might potentially go in the first round.

HARRISON BOETTINGER- KELOWNA ROCKETS (WHL)

Harrison Boettiger is one of the most promising goaltending prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Boettinger was absolutely dominant with Shattuck St. Mary’s from 2021-23 at the 14U and 16U levels; including an undefeated 24-0-0 season in 2021-22. In his career with Shattuck-St. Mary’s, he had an GAA under 2.00 and a SV% above .925. Boettinger then joined the USNTDP, playing 51 games across U17 and U18 levels, posting a 3.75 GAA and .877 SV% overall, he played with the USNTDP from 2023-25. He earned at multiple international tournaments including the U18 World Championship and Five Nations. Boettinger played only 13 games at the USHL level, but in that short timespane, he had a 2.79 GAA and .907 SV%, plus was named USHL Goaltender of the Week multiple times. He signed with Kelowna Rockets for the upcoming 2025-26 season and has already committed to the University of Denver. Harrison Boettinger is currently listed at 6’2″ and 185lbs, he has excellent positioning and rebound control for his age, is calm under pressure, and has high hockey IQ and maturity for his age. He is also known for his work ethic, discipline and leadership off the ice as well. Harrison Boettinger is comparable to Spencer Knight when he was drafted into the NHL, he has NHL starter potential but needs to clean certain things up in his game. Right now, Harrison Boettinger has an early 2nd round projection with potential to rise into the first round, depending on his performance in the WHL.

William LACELLE- RIMOUSKI OCEANIC (QMJHL)

William Lacelle is one the most inspiring and technically gifted goalie prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft. Lacelle is 100% deaf in his left ear and 50% in his right, a condition he calls his “superpower.” Rather than seeing it as a limitation, he’s used it to sharpen his visual tracking and focus—traits that have made him a standout goalie at every level. He was the player of the Year at the LHM18AAAQ level during the 2023-24 season, posting a 1.55 GAA and a 18-4 record, leading his team to the semifinals. Drafted 10th overall by Rimouski Océanic in 2023, he recorded his first QMJHL shutout vs. Quebec Remparts and won the Jacques Plante Trophy as top rookie goaltender. Lacelle represented Team Canada Red at the World U17 Hockey Challenge and is known for his clutch performances and mental toughness. At 6’0″ and 168 lbs, Lacelle is slightly undersized by NHL standards, but is calm under pressure with strong lateral movement. He’s got elite focus and puck tracking, plus high hockey IQ and leadership
qualities. Comparable to Jonathan Bernier during his draft year, he is technically sound, mentally resilient, and quietly effective. His story and off-ice character make him a high-value pick for teams seeking leadership and grit, makes him a late first to early 2nd round pick.

RYLEY BUDD- BONNYVILLE PONTIACS (AJHL)

Ryley Budd is a compelling goaltending prospect eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Budd played in the CCSHL U18 Prep in 2024-25 for Edge School, posing a 15-2-0 record, a 1.77 GAA and .936 SV%, plus he was named the Top goaltender in the league. Budd will transition to play for the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the AJHL and is expected to a starter for the 2025-26 season. At 5’11, 157lbs, Budd is and undersized goaltender, but has compensastes with athleticism, quick reflexes and an excellent glove hand. He has a calm demeanor and strong leadership qualities, as well as high compete level and off-ice maturity. Although he needs to improve on his rebound control and puck tracking, he has been compared to Juuse Saros by scouts; like Saros, he is a smaller frame goalie with an elite compete level. Ryley Budd is projected to be a mid-to-late second round, with upside to climb into early second.

XAVIER WENDT- SHATTUCK ST. MARY’S 18U (PREP)

Xavier Wendt is another top goalie prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft. Xavier Wendt was dominant with Shattuck-St. Mary’s from 2023-2025; in the 2024-25 season, he posted a 1.55 GAA and .932 SV%, helped lead team to national prominence with calm, consistent play. Wendt helped USA Won Gold Medal at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, Made 37 saves, including all shootout attempts in semifinal win. He signed with Tri-City Americans in May 2025 and is the projected starter for the 2026-27 season. At 6,1 and 165 lbs, Wendt is a technically sound goaltender with excellent positioning, he is calm under pressure and rarely overcommits; he has a strong glove hand and his rebound control is good. Wendt’s slightly lean frame will be benefit from added strength, he needs to improve puck handling and post integration. His style is comparable to Carey Price, who is also a former Tri-City American, but he is more comparable to Devan Dubnyk in terms of composure. Currently, he is a late 2nd to early 3rd round pick; his WHL performance will be pivotal—if he excels early, he could rise into top-50 territory.

PARKER SNELL- EDMONTON OIL KINGS (WHL)

Parker Snell is one of the most exciting young prospect goaltenders in the 2026 NHL Draft. Parker Snell gained fame in the CSSHL & NAX U17 Prep, where become renowned for his calm demeanor, quick reflexes, and strong lateral movement. Drafted by the Edmonton Oiler Kings 34th overall in the 2nd round of the 2023 WHL Draft; Snell made his WHL Debut in December 2024 in a 5-0 Shutout win against Prince George, making 29 saves against NHL caliber shooters like Koehn Ziemmer and Riley Heidt. At 6’2″ and 176 lbs, Snell has a tall frame with excellent net coverage, he is poised under pressure, especially in high-staked games; his quick glove hand and rebound control are great for his age. He needs more WHL reps to adjust to pace and shot variety, plus he could improve on his communicating with his defense while playing puck. Comparable to Stuart Skinner, he has the attributes to be a starter in the NHL, and is currently projected to be a late second to 3rd round pick. If he continues to shine in WHL starts, he could climb into top-50 territory.

KIRILL VASILYEV- OSTERSUNDS IK U20 (U20 REGION)

Kirill Vasilyev is a goalie prospect who is gaining attention ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. He starred for Stockholm Nord in Sweden’s premier youth tournament, TV Pucken, making clutch saves in high-pressure games. In 2024 he participated in elite youth showcase tournaments, demonstrating strong puck tracking and lateral movement. Vasilyev is expected to compete for the starting role with Ostersunds IK at the J20 level, scouts will be closely watching his development there. Despite his smaller frame, Vasilyev is agile and technically sound; he has lighning-fast reflexes and glove hand, calm demeanor and strong anticipation skills. If he wants to improve his draft stock, he needs to prove durability and net coverage, as well as refinement in post play and puck handling. A comparable Vasilyev is listed at just 5’9″ and 157 lbs, he adds size and exels in Sweden’s top junior league, he could be a sleeper pick with starter upside; think Arturs Irbe- smaller athletic and mentally tough goalie. He is projected to be a mid to late 3rd round pick, with potential to rise, depending on performance.

STEELE BASS- PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS (WHL)

Steele Bass is a promising goalie prospect from Alberta, whose gaining traction ahead of the 2026 NHL draft. In the 2023-24 season with the CSSHL U18, he posted a 5-1-1 record, 3.21 GAA and .900 SV%, showing early consistency. Bass was the 49th overall selection in the 3rd round of the WHL Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders, the fifth goalie taken in a draft that saw 16 goalies selected. He is expected to be the starter for Prince Albert by the 2025-26 season. Listed at 6’1″ and 161lbs, Bass has good size and athleticism in net, has solid position and calm under pressure; he’s already showns early signs of technical refinement. Bass has many areas to improve on, but he would really benefit from WHL coaching and game speed; this could improve his rebound control and puck tracking ability. At the current moment, he is comparable to Dan Vladar, a project goaltender who was taken in the third round of his draft. If he earns a starting role in Prince Albert and posts strong numbers, he could rise into second-round territory.