After the 2025 NHL Draft, which saw nine first-round picks come out of the Western Hockey League, it would be tough to follow that up. Right? Even after the departures of Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat to Penn State) and Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals to Univ. of North Dakota) who are arguably the 1-2 punch at the top of the draft class heading into the start of the season, it is still shaping up to be a strong crop for Western Canada in 2026, especially on the blueline.
With the regular season underway, here are the top five prospects that you should keep an eye on out west.
DOB: July 21, 2008
Height: 5-11
Weight: 176 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Spokane Chiefs
It’s hard not to fall in love with Preston almost immediately. Every time he gets the puck on his stick, it’s virtually guaranteed that there is going to be a chance created. Preston’s value in transition from his elite edges and speed mixed with his deceptive puck skills is going to keep his draft stock high from now until his name is called. Although 23 goals in his first full WHL season is an incredible feat, there’s no doubt that he could push for 50 this year. Preston already has an NHL-calibre shot with a wicked release. If you’re looking for a winger that drives play while also being a ton of fun to watch, Preston is going to be a fan favourite in the 2026 NHL Draft.
DOB: April 18, 2008
Height: 5-11
Weight: 176 lbs
Position: RHD
Team: Vancouver Giants
Leading the pack of WHL defensemen after Keaton Verhoeff’s departure to the NCAA, Lin’s offensive upside on the back-end is near the top of his class. The Vancouver right-handed blueliner was nearly a point-per-game in his rookie season with the Giants, scoring a whopping 53 points in 60 WHL contests. Lin is already loaded with sound pro habits. From his constant scanning to his ability to always be open and ready for the puck, he has polished aspects of his game. What makes him intriguing is how high the ceiling could go. Lin has a quick release from the point and loves to jump up in the rush when possible. It’s early in the season, yet a lot of his offensive traits already remind me of prime Tyson Barrie. His overall strength will need to improve, and he is by no means perfect defensively, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Lin push his draft stock into the top-five by season’s end.
DOB: March 6, 2008
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 lbs
Position: RHD
Team: Prince Albert Raiders
The plethora of stud right-handed defensemen in the WHL continues with Rudolph. More of a simple but effective two-way game than Lin, Rudolph has outstanding gap control, great in-zone defensive awareness, and a quick first pass. His confidence with the puck on his stick isn’t quite there yet, but there is definitely potential to grow in that aspect of his game. Rudolph’s skating is also underrated. He can move across the blueline smoothly and is able to just up into transition when needed with ease. It’s tough to choose between Lin and Rudolph, and realistically, it comes down to what you prefer in a blueliner, yet I don’t see a scenario in which an NHL team is complaining about ending up with one or the other.
DOB: February 21, 2008
Height: 5-11
Weight: 176 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Medicine Hat Tigers
Splitting up the Ruck twins on the ice, off the ice, and on this list is a challenging task. But, heading into their draft season, Liam has an edge on his brother, Markus. Liam is such a smart hockey player. Every shift, he sees the game so well, allowing him to impact the game even without being the flashiest player. His work in the offensive zone is a pleasure to watch. Ruck’s ability to extend plays through both his forechecking methods and his hockey IQ makes him a forward who could fit in on any line. Coupled with that, he possesses all-around offensive tools, including what looks like an underrated shot, which he showed off in a standout game against the Czech’s in the Hlinka. Ruck’s game is reminiscent heavily of a guy like Zach Hyman, even if the physical frame isn’t quite there.
DOB: June 23, 2008
Height: 6-2
Weight: 194 lbs
Position: LHD
Team: Prince George Cougars
Carels is the least flashy of the defensemen on this list, but his intelligence, mobility, and polish are what keep him highly regarded heading into the season. Carels already possess the ability to shut down the opposition consistently. He has pro habits throughout his game and defends his own blueline well with his reliable gap control. If you need a guy to kill plays at the line, look no further than Carels. It’s no secret that he could use improvement in the offensive aspects of his game. However, he is a reliable passer out of his zone, doing more than enough to start breakouts. It will be interesting to see if teams regard him as a first-round talent by season’s end.