Defense
6’2/188
Left
Calgary Hitmen/WHL
Related: Carson Carels
Ben Macbeath is a highly-regarded left-shot defenseman for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, projected as a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He is currently ranked #22 among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their April 2026 final rankings. Macbeath is characterized as a “stable two-way mobile defender” who excels through elite mobility and calculated puck movement rather than raw physicality. Macbeath came out of nowhere this year, registering 51 points in 67 games as a WHL rookie. The 6-foot-2 defender blends size, skill and mobility together to become an absolute force with the puck. Some scouts think the ceiling is high enough to take him in the first round. Scouts highlight his high hockey IQ and ability to dictate the pace from the back end. He relies on superior gap control, angling, and “expert stick-work” to separate opponents from the puck rather than heavy hitting. His anticipation allows him to beat players to lanes and strip pucks quietly. Benjamin Macbeath is committed from University of Denver of the NCAA, and his draft stock has been rapidly rising this to point
that he could be a late first round pick because his player profile is exactly what teams look for in a modern NHL defenseman.
Size/Strength Great
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Average
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Great
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Great
Strengths
1. Macbeath has Elite Four-Way Mobility; His skating is considered “NHL-calibre”. Scouts highlight his effortless transition from pivots to crossovers and his long, efficient skating stride.
2. A primary strength is his poise as an outlet defender. He dissects play flow methodically and uses lateral pulls to create clean passing lanes, allowing him to be a consistent “transition monster”.
3. Has high Hockey IQ; noted for his patient decision-making and low-panic threshold under pressure. He rarely takes penalties because of his positioning and precise stick-pokes.
Areas of Improvement
1. Lack of Physical Edge; Multiple scouts note that he doesn’t employ much physicality or display a “mean edge”. He can occasionally be outmuscled in net-front battles and along the boards.
2. He often relies so heavily on his stick and positioning that he may shy away from necessary body contact. Improving his strength and use of his 6’2″ frame is seen as a requirement for the pro level.
3. While his offensive activation is a strength, it can sometimes lead to him getting caught out of position, forcing him to rely on his speed to recover defensively.
Scouting Report
During the 2025-26 WHL season, Ben Macbeath emerged as a high-impact rookie for his hometown Calgary Hitmen after being acquired in a significant May 2025 trade from the Kelowna Rockets. He established himself as a reliable, top-four defenseman, earning the team’s Defenceman of the Year and Scholastic Player of the Year honors. In 67 regular-season games, he recorded 7 goals and 44 assists for 51 points. Macbeath’s stamina and defensive reliability were on full display during the Hitmen’s opening-round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he helped anchor a defensive unit that pushed the Hitmen into the second round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Scouts frequently describe Macbeath as a “stable two-way mobile defender”. His game is built on surgical puck distribution and superior gap control rather than overt physicality. He is a “steady riser” whose skating allows him to roam free and dictate the pace of play. His greatest tool is effortless four-way movement. Scouts notes he transitions from pivots to crossovers with NHL-caliber speed. This agility makes him a “ridiculous rush defender” capable of cutting off carriers and recovering quickly. Elite at puck management, he operates as a primary facilitator, using “lateral pulls” and subtle deception to open passing lanes. He maintains a low-panic threshold, often dissecting forechecks with precise outlet passes. Defensive IQ & Stick Work are excellent as well, Macbeath rarely takes penalties because he relies on expert angling and an active stick. He is particularly adept at “running subtle interference” and beating opponents to spots with his feet. Comparable to Devon Toews of the Colorado Avalanche, both identity as high-IQ, mobile, “transition-first” defensemen. Both players prioritize technical efficiency and positioning over raw physicality to dominate their minutes. Ben Macbeath has solidified his status as a premiere defensive prospect for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, rising to #22 among North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final April 2026 rankings.
Skill: “Modern-style” defenseman, with elite transitional play and a high-IQ defensive game
NHL Comparable: Devon Toews
NHL Potential: Top 4 Two-Way Defenseman
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| 2024-25 | Salmon Arm Silverbacks | BCHL | 53 | 4 | 34 |
| 2025-26 | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | 67 | 7 | 51 |
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