Prospects on the Radar
As the Vegas Golden Knights prepare for the 2026‑27 campaign, the franchise is placing a strong emphasis on young talent emerging from the Western Hockey League. The organization has identified a cohort of players who meet rookie eligibility, have been drafted, or have signed entry‑level contracts, and are now evaluating their potential to contribute at the NHL level.
Among the standout prospects is Sean Burick, a 6‑foot‑8 defenseman from San Clemente, California, who recorded four assists and a plus‑25 rating in 50 WHL games with the Penticton Vees. Jakub Demek, a Slovak forward, previously shone with the Edmonton Oil Kings before moving to Kamloops, where he posted 54 points in a single season. Jordan Gustafson, a Sherwood Park native, split the 2023‑24 year between the ECHL and AHL, notching 29 points in the former and an assist in six AHL appearances.
Ben Hemmerling, also from Sherwood Park, led all rookies in AHL scoring with 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) in 68 games for the Silver Knights. Viliam Kmec, a Slovak blueliner, earned a three‑year entry‑level deal as an undrafted free agent and contributed 16 points in 65 AHL games. Will McLaughlin, a dual‑citizen defender from Canmore, Alberta, topped all WHL defensemen with 30 points in 68 games for the Portland Winterhawks.
Draft History and Contracts
The Golden Knights have drafted several of these players in recent drafts, including Burick (95th overall), Demek (128th), Gustafson (79th), Hemmerling (177th), McLaughlin (159th), Noel Pakarinen (207th), Jonah Sivertson (113th) and Alex Weiermair (186th). Each prospect has signed or is slated to sign an entry‑level contract, positioning them for potential NHL debuts in the near future.
Noel Pakarinen, selected 207th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, inked a WHL Scholarship Agreement with the Penticton Vees, while Jonah Sivertson added 10 points in the 2026 WHL Championship Series playoffs for the Prince Albert Raiders. Kai Uchacz, a Calgary-born defender, appeared in three NHL games last season and posted 51 points in 68 AHL contests for the Henderson Silver Knights. Alex Weiermair, named WHL Scholastic Player of the Year in 2025, recorded 93 points in 66 WHL games and made his AHL debut with the Tahoe Knight Monsters.