Prince George’s Carels top CHL player in Button’s latest Top 64

The Prince George Cougars’ Carson Carels is the highest ranked CHL player in Craig Button’s latest Top 64 ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

TSN’s Director of Scouting has the Cougars d-man no. 2 overall after a standout regular season where he notched 20 goals and 73 points and helped Canada to bronze at the 2026 World Juniors.

“Carson Carels, the way he commands and controls the game, there’s no way anybody’s ever going to be Nick Lidstrom, but the manner in which he plays, in every single regard, the big minutes, the hard minutes, the offensive and defensive play and the timely play, he’s got all those elements,” said Button.

Another CHL d-man is ranked no. 3 in the Soo Greyhounds’ Chase Reid who had 45 points (18 goals) in 48 games.

“His calendar year is just seeing him grasp every new challenge and not just show that he can handle it, but he can excel in those spots,” said Button. “I still think there is a lot of untapped potential there. I still think he’s learning about his capabilities and his own abilities to control the game and be an impact player.

“Chase isn’t hesitant and he has that initiative in his game. He has that confidence in his game and I think that confidence is only going to grow.”

Prince Albert’s Daxon Rudolph (no. 8) and Medicine Hat’s Liam Ruck (no. 10) are also listed inside the Top 10. Former Tigers star Gavin McKenna is ranked no. 1 while ex-Victoria Royal Keaton Verhoeff is no. 5.

In all, 33 CHL players are named to Button’s Top 64.

The 2026 NHL Draft will take place in Buffalo June 25-26.