The opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft delivered a surprise for Boston University fans as two of its recent alumni heard their names called among the league’s top prospects.
A Family Legacy in the Spotlight
Caleb Malhotra, the son of former NHL player and current Vancouver Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, was selected third overall by the Canucks, capping a breakout season that saw him record 29 goals and 55 assists in 67 games with the Brantford Bulldogs and lead his team to 13 playoff goals and 26 points in 15 contests.
From College to International Ice
Tynan Lawrence, who joined Boston University’s Terriers in January and tallied seven points in 18 games, earned his first collegiate goal on Jan. 23 and closed the season with a point in four of his final five contests; internationally, he contributed six points for Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship and previously captained the Muskegon Lumberjacks to the 2025 Clark Cup title.
Day two of the draft will commence at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN+ and the NHL Network, where additional prospects from the Terriers and other programs will await their fate.
The selections underscore the growing influence of college hockey in shaping the next generation of NHL talent, with both players poised to bring their collegiate experience and international exposure to professional arenas.