Defenseman
6’2/194
Left
Prince George Cougars/WHL
Related: Keaton Verhoeff
Carson Carels is a Defenseman for the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and is widely considered a top tier prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, with rankings frequently placing him in the top 10 overall and as high as 3rd among North American skaters. Carels is described as a mobile, two-way defenseman with high hockey IQ, excellent skating agility, and significant offensive upside. He served as an alternate captain for the Prince George Cougars in the 2025–26 season at just 17 years old and was also the Captain of Team West for the 2026 WHL Prospect Game. Carels helped Canada win Gold at the 2025 U18 WJC and Bronze at both the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2026 U20 WJC. Carels is an all-around defenseman who plays the game firmly and directly in all three zones and on both sides of the puck. He’s a powerful, fluid skater who can get up the ice easily. He closes on checks well, using his feet and body to break up a lot of plays. Carels has very good hands and vision and can activate into plays. Carels is a smart, all-situations defender who brings intensity and physicality every night. He positions well, identifies looming threats, and denies lanes with his stick. Carson Carels is a player who is rising rapidly on draft boards and could even challenge Keaton Verhoeff for the title of best defenseman in the 2026 draft class; if developed properly, he has the potential to be a top 4 defenseman.
Size/Strength Great
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Great
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Excellent
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent
Strength
1. Powerful, fluid skater who gets up ice easily. Strong base, clean edges, and above-average acceleration for a 6’2″ defender. Uses mobility to close gaps quickly and kill plays early.
2. Closes on checks well, using both feet and body to break up plays. Reads pressure well; rarely forces plays. Understands spacing, timing, and support routes.
3. Plays with intensity and edge without taking himself out of structure. Already physically mature; projects to handle NHL weight early.
Areas of Improvement
1. Analysts have expressed a need for more consistent involvement, particularly in transition and when activating from the blue line in the offensive zone.
2. Although he is considered a smooth skater overall, technical flaws have been noted in his pivot transitions and a slight “forward hunch” in his stride that may need refining for the pro level.
3. He has occasionally relied on “chip-and-outs” rather than controlled, high-skill exits under pressure.
Scouting Report
Carson Carels is a premier left-shot defenseman for the Prince George Cougars (WHL) and a top-tier prospect for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, currently ranked #3 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Known for his “pro-style” frame (6’2″, 202 lbs) and mature 200-foot game, scouts often describe him as having one of the “highest basements” in the draft class. Carels is a powerful, fluid skater with excellent four-way mobility. He is noted for his ability to close on checks quickly and lead rushes effortlessly from the back end. Frequently described as “mature” and “calm,” he consistently makes smart breakout passes and handles heavy workloads, often exceeding 24–30 minutes of ice time per night. He is a “go-to” player for both the power play and penalty kill. His defensive game revolves around an active stick, strong positioning, and a physical edge that makes him difficult to play against. While not always the primary creative force, he is a highly effective facilitator who uses vision in transition and a low, hard shot to create scoring opportunities. Carels is a two-way defenceman who can be trusted in all situations. He battles in the trenches to win pucks and is physically capable to handle weight. He’s a very efficient skater who’s quick in small areas and powerful in open ice. He drives play from the back end at even strength with his clever passing ability and is a go-to player on both the powerplay and penalty kill. Carels is a smart, all-situations defender who brings intensity and physicality every night. He positions well, identifies looming threats, and denies lanes with his stick. Despite his speed, scouts have noted a “slight forward hunch” in his stride and occasional issues with pivot transitions that may need refining for the professional level. At times, he can “get caught watching” or be noncommittal off the puck, occasionally allowing opponents to slip behind him near the net. Some analysts argue he lacks a standout “dynamic” quality, functioning more as a steady facilitator rather than an elite individual chance-creator. The NHL comparable for Carson Carels is Jonas Brodin, a minutes‑eating two‑way defenseman with PK value, transition strength, and enough offense to complement a more dynamic partner. Carson Carels has the potential to be a top pairing, two-way defenseman capable of playing 20+ minutes in all situations.
Skill: All-situations, minutes‑eating two‑way defenseman
NHL Comparable: Jonas Brodin
NHL Potential: Top 4 Two-Way Defenseman
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| 2024-25 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 67 | 6 | 39 |
| Canada U18 | WJC-18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2025-26 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 56 | 20 | 73 |
| Canada U18 | Hlinka Gretzky Cup | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Canada U20 | WJC-20 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
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