The 2026 NAHL Entry Draft, organized by the North American Hockey League in partnership with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the United States Hockey League, took place on June 10, drawing attention from coaches, scouts and fans eager to see which prospects would earn a spot in the league's next tier.
Five players with roots in the Northland region were among those selected, underscoring the area's growing influence on junior hockey and reflecting a steady pipeline of talent emerging from the region.
Northland’s Finest Selected
Easton Walters, a Virginia native, became the first Northlander to hear his name called, sliding into the 73rd overall slot with the Anchorage team.
Forward Seth Carlson, hailing from Grand Rapids, followed at pick 210, also finding a home with Anchorage.
Hermantown contributed two more names to the list: defenseman Micklain Martalock, drafted 321st by the Wilderness, and forward Drew Nelson, selected 345th by Anchorage.
Rounding out the local contingent, Ethan Jacobson, a former Rock Ridge standout, was chosen 353rd overall by the Wilderness.
The selections reflect a promising depth of skill in the area, a trend that coaches say could shape the league's competitive balance in coming seasons.
Future Outlook
As these young athletes move into professional development pathways, the next steps will involve training camps and prospect evaluations, offering a glimpse of how they might impact the sport at higher levels.