A Prospect Forged by Family and Grit
Chase Reid, a 6‑foot‑2, 200‑pound defenseman, has been labeled the top prospect among the 2026 NHL Draft class, a distinction earned through a blend of skill, size and relentless work ethic.
His path to that status was anything but smooth. After a shaky rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League, Reid bounced between the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats and the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, gradually converting early setbacks into confidence.
During his sophomore year with the Greyhounds he exploded for 40 points in 39 games, a performance that secured him first‑team all‑rookie honors and cemented his reputation as a blue‑line anchor.
Now the Michigan native is set to enroll at Michigan State University, a move that brings him back within a short drive of his family home in Chesterfield while offering access to a program known for its state‑of‑the‑art facilities.
Reid’s mother often repeats the mantra she lives by: “If you want it, you gotta get it.” Her words echo the sacrifices of his father, a Penske sales representative, and his mother, a competitive dance instructor and insurance agent, who have been his constant supporters.
With the draft approaching, Reid says he is eager to bring the same determination that carried him from Buffalo’s rinks to the Spartan arena, and to prove that perseverance can turn a late bloomer into a top prospect.