
WHL’s Historic Surge at the 2026 NHL Draft
The 2026 NHL Draft saw an unprecedented 37 current WHL players and two alumni drafted, highlighting the league's growing influence on the sport.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Western Hockey League across Hockey.

The 2026 NHL Draft saw an unprecedented 37 current WHL players and two alumni drafted, highlighting the league's growing influence on the sport.

The Los Angeles Kings used a calculated trade back and a deep draft class to add forward depth, defensive talent and goaltending depth, setting the stage for a new wave of development.

Three Michigan forwards were drafted in the 2026 NHL Draft, each bringing distinct skills and expectations to their new NHL teams.

A Texas native’s rise through youth hockey, the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, and a dominant WHL season culminated in a top‑draft selection by the Detroit Red Wings.

From versatile defenseman Brek Liske to athletic net‑minder Martin Psohlavec, the Flyers’ selections reflect a calculated push to shore up both ends of the ice.

The Canadiens targeted larger forwards and defensemen in the 2026 NHL Draft, moving up the board to secure prospects like Timofei Runtso and Cooper Cleaves, aiming to reshape the roster with physicality and depth.

The 2026 NHL Draft showcased an unprecedented haul of Western Hockey League talent, highlighting the league’s continued role as a talent incubator.

The Avalanche tied a franchise draft record by selecting nine players, spanning defense, forward and goaltender positions, each bringing distinct achievements and pathways to the professional ranks.

Columbus completes its 2026 NHL Draft with six selections across the final six rounds, trades for additional picks, and outlines the prospects joining the organization.

Eight University of North Dakota hockey players were chosen at the 2026 NHL Draft, establishing a new high for selections in a single draft and the most picks in the first three rounds since 2005.

A detailed profile of Brek Liske, the disciplined WHL defenseman whose steady growth, playoff surge and lifelong Flyers fandom have positioned him as a near‑lock for the second round.

The Red Wings’ roster is thin on six‑foot‑seven players, prompting scouts to examine a handful of promising centers ahead of the upcoming draft.

The Detroit Red Wings traded goalie Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for a first‑round pick used on J.P. Hurlbert, while signing Michal Postava, who outperformed Cossa and is now slated to be the team’s backup goalie.

The Detroit Red Wings dealt veteran prospect Sebastian Cossa for a first‑round pick, using it to select J.P. Hurlbert while Michal Postova's breakout performance reshapes the team's goaltending depth.

In a move that underscores a strategic shift in Detroit's roster planning, the Red Wings sent Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd overall pick, selecting winger JP Hurlbert. The transaction reflects both the waning prospects of a once‑heralded net‑minder and the team's intent to bolster its forward pipeline.
The Detroit Red Wings swapped goaltender Sebastian Cossa for the 23rd overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft, using it to select winger JP Hurlbert, a Dallas native who will bring a family tradition of Michigan hockey to the organization.

Detroit’s selection of J.P. Hurlbert at No. 23 underscores a season that saw the Texas native dominate the Western Hockey League and earn multiple accolades.
A breakout year with the Edmonton Oil Kings has propelled defenseman Ethan MacKenzie onto Canada’s World Junior team and into the NHL Draft conversation, setting the stage for his summer move to Grand Forks.

Daxon Rudolph, a highly touted defenseman for the 2026 NHL Draft, is in Buffalo for the festivities, having logged 78 points this season and tied a franchise record, while looking forward to joining the University of Denver and celebrating with loved ones.

The NHL draft will open in Buffalo, New York, with the Toronto Maple Leafs holding the No. 1 overall pick. Among the six top prospects, Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Chase Reid, Caleb Malhotra, Alberts Smits and Keaton Verhoeff are projected to be selected within the top five.

Michigan State University is set to welcome a wave of elite hockey talent, headlined by projected second‑overall pick Chase Reid, as the program eyes a transformative 2026‑27 season.

An 18‑year‑old from Allen, Texas, is projected as a first‑round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, having trained at the Children’s Health StarsCenter since age four and poised to become the first Texan selected in the opening round since Seth Jones.
From a Dallas garage to the WHL and now a commitment to the University of Michigan, J.P. Hurlbert’s journey blends family legacy, elite development, and a championship drive.

Top prospect Landon DuPont will join the University of Michigan for the 2026‑27 season, a decision that reflects new eligibility rules and the growing influence of NIL compensation in player choices.