Here are some of 2026 DRAFT PROSPECTS to watch at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Notable absences include Gavin McKenna, Viggo Bjorck, Ivar Stenberg, and Adam Novotny.
Keaton Verhoeff- D- CAN
A towering, mobile defenseman (6’4″, 212 lbs) with elite two-way instincts. He posted 45 points in the WHL and captains Canada this year. Verhoeff is projected as a top-three pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Keaton Verhoeff made his presence known in his first full season with Victoria in the WHL. He scored 45 points (21 goals, 23 assists) from the backend while also bringing an aggressive physical attitude. The two-way beast is looking to a third gold medal after capturing one with the U-17 Canada White and U-18 Canada teams before he joins North Dakota in the NCAA this fall. Expect Verhoeff to follow in Matthew Schaefer’s footsteps as Canada’s clear cut No. 1 defenseman at the Hlinka. Canada is bringing a very talented blue line, which would make it even more impressive if he’s able to show out to the extent that Verhoeff is capable of.
Tynan Lawrence- C- CAN
A dynamic two-way center who led the USHL playoffs in scoring and earned MVP honors. Known for his puck possession, tenacity, and versatility in all zones. Tynan Lawrence potted 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 56 games with Muskegon in the United States Hockey League. He contributed big time for Canada White at the 2024 U-17 World Hockey Challenge, with six points (three goals, three assists) in five games while winning gold. Lawrence is a responsible two-way forward whose strong skating and high work ethic make him effective in all situations. His speed and ferocity allow him to be an effective player at both ends of the ice. His two way game will be vital to Canada’ success.
Mathis Preston- RW- CAN
A speedy winger with excellent puck control and offensive instincts. Preston surged late last season and could be a breakout star in this tournament. His mobility and IQ make him a reliable presence on both ends. Mathis Preston had 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) in 54 games during his first full season with Spokane in the Western Hockey League. He impressed with Canada White at the 2024 U-17 World Hockey Challenge, scoring seven points (six goals, one assist) in five games. He’s extremely entertaining to watch with how he can use his skating to break down defenses. He can fly through the neutral zone and quickly stop on a dime once he enters the zone to open space, but he can also carry that speed out wide and look to find a teammate in a scoring position.
Jack Hextall- C- USA
A skilled and cerebral center with strong playmaking instincts. He’s expected to be a key offensive driver for Team USA and a top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Jack Hextall had a modest 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists) in 53 games in his first USHL season with Youngstown. The cerebral playmaker flashes high-end potential as an intelligent player who could be a point-producer both in this tournament and at higher levels. Hextall is a high-IQ player who flashes high-end offensive ability. He has patience and creativity in his game, allowing him to wait for open space to develop, and his aggressive mindset allows him to attack that open space.
Malte Gustafsson- F- SWE
Malte Gustafsson is a physical defender and makes the most out of his frame. While his game still needs work, he’s a punishing defender to watch at this tournament because of his ability to use stick checks or body contact and wear opponents down over the course of a game. Gustafsson is a tall, lanky defender that moves well. He plays a strong possession game, very good in all parts of the ice with very good offensive instincts. He lacks in entry defense and can get overpowered by stronger forwards, however, because he has yet to fill out that impressive frame of his.
Oscar Hemming- RW- FIN
Oscar Hemming dominated while playing in U18 competition with Kiekko-Espoo in Finland’s top junior league with 63 points (35 goals, 28 assists) in 31 games. He added another 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 18 games in regular season play with the U20 team. The 6-foot-4, 190 pound forward added another nine points (three goals, six assists) in 13 playoff games, playing against players up to four years older than him. Hemming is a big, skilled, power forward type of player who plays between the checks, works hard, wins battles and contributes offensively in both scoring and setting up the plays.
Juho Piiparinen- D- FIN
Juho Piiparinen showed flashes of offense as a youngster in Finland but settled in as a responsible two-way defender with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 40 games at the U20 level. An August birthday allows a lot of room for the already 6-foot-3, 203-pounder to grow. Piiparinen is a defensively-reliable defender that plays a hard, pressuring game in his own end, closes up the defensive gap extremely well and uses his size and reach to gain advantage over attacking forwards.
Yanis Lutz- C- CH
Yanis Lutz was a productive forward for his club team at two levels and his country in international play. The shifty puckhandler had more than a point per game in u-18 play and potted 22 points (14 goals, eight assists) in 34 U-20 games. He’ll join Peterborough in the Ontario Hockey League for 2025-26. Lutz is a smart, skilled, playmaking forward that plays a speedy game full of speed bursts in transition, beating defenders in one-on-one situations and then either passing in a creative ways or shooting it himself. I look at him as one of the players that potentially gets on people’s radars because of his offensive game
Adam Goljer- D -SLO
Adam Goljer played for seven different teams, including different national team duties and 27 total professional hockey games in Slovakia before his draft-eligible season. The two-way defender has flashed some offense amongst his peers with seven points (two goals, five assists) in 12 games of U18 competition but hasn’t unlocked the scoring from his youth quite yet. Goljer is a smart, big, two-way, right-handed defenseman with the potential to become a steady, consistent, and reliable presence on the blue line. What stands out most about him is his hockey intelligence — he is exceptional positionally, rarely makes mistakes, and excels both with and without the puck.
Douglas Nilsson-G- SWE
One of the top goaltenders in the tournament, known for his composure and reflexes. It’s not always difficult to win when your team takes full control. But Nilsson had some of the best numbers in the tournament, showing a level of calmness under pressure that you love to say. The 6-foot-4 goaltender has ideal size, but he’s also athletic for his frame, too. I love his footwork and how he deflects pucks to the outside.
Frantisek Poletin- G- CZE
Poletín is one of the top goaltending prospects in the draft, and he showed why at the Hlinka. The 6-foot-2 keper moves fluidly without much hesitation and he battles so hard down low. I really liked how he kept sending pucks away from danger. Poletín has built a reputation of some huge performances internationally and last week was no exception. Poletin will have to stand on his head if the Czechs want to have any chance of contending at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
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