[{"id":68830,"date":"2026-04-17T12:39:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T16:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-attack\/?p=68830"},"modified":"2026-04-17T12:40:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T16:40:04","slug":"5-bears-and-three-attack-prospects-included-on-nhl-central-scoutings-final-2026-nhl-draft-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-attack\/article\/5-bears-and-three-attack-prospects-included-on-nhl-central-scoutings-final-2026-nhl-draft-rankings","title":{"rendered":"5 Bears and 3 Attack Prospects Included on NHL Central Scouting\u2019s Final 2026 NHL Draft Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

TORONTO \u2013 <\/strong>A\u00a0total of 76 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) players have been included in NHL Central Scouting\u2019s Final Draft Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, underscoring the league\u2019s depth heading into June.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE BOASTS 75.5 PER CENT OF RANKS TO LEAD ALL NORTH AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT LEAGUES<\/span><\/h5>\n

The list features 65 skaters and 11 goaltenders from across the OHL, spanning all 20 member clubs. In total, 197 players developed across the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) three member leagues (OHL, WHL, and QMJHL) were included in the final rankings. The Western Hockey League (WHL) leads the way with 78 current players (69 skaters, 9 goaltenders), while the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) features 41 (35 skaters, 6 goaltenders).<\/p>\n

Of the 224 North American skaters ranked, 65 hail from the OHL, accounting for approximately 29% of the list.<\/p>\n

Defenceman Chase Reid<\/strong> of the Soo Greyhounds leads the way among OHL prospects, ranked second overall on the North American Skater list. He is one of four OHL players inside the top 10, joined by Caleb Malhotra<\/strong> of the Brantford Bulldogs (6), Nikita Klepov<\/strong> (8), and Ethan Belchetz<\/strong> of the Windsor Spitfires (9).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was difficult to come up with this order, and there is strong consensus that all four of these defencemen are going to be franchise builders,\u201d said Dan Marr, Vice President and Director of NHL Central Scouting, on the latest edition of the NHL Draft Class podcast. \u201c[Chase] Reid was the new kid on the block, but at every level and in every situation he was put in, he didn\u2019t just perform \u2014 he excelled with the puck. He also has a very strong defensive game, which I don\u2019t think he gets enough credit for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Malhotra, who arrived in the OHL after a season in the BCHL, quickly established himself as one of the league\u2019s most complete forwards. The 17-year-old recorded 84 points (29-55\u201384) in 67 games, setting a new single-season mark for most points by a Brantford Bulldogs rookie. He also posted a plus-33 rating, added eight game-winning goals, and produced 30 points on the power play, proving he could thrive alongside older, skilled players on a deep roster.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaleb had a more well-rounded game for us. Going into the season, he was a bit more unknown after coming from the BCHL, but right from the first game, we knew we had to move him to an A-rated prospect,\u201d Marr said. \u201cHe has a complete game \u2014 he plays with composure and compete, and makes plays where there is no play. He\u2019s very well respected within his team and around the league.\u201d<\/p>\n

Klepov\u2019s offensive instincts have also stood out among this year\u2019s class, as he emerged as one of the most dangerous scorers in the OHL. The Saginaw Spirit forward led the league with 97 points (37-60\u201397) in 67 games, capturing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the OHL\u2019s top point producer while also being named the recipient of the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n

In doing so, Klepov became the first player since Patrick Kane in 2007 to win both honours in the same season. He also tied a Saginaw franchise rookie record with 37 goals, adding 38 power-play points and three shorthanded markers to showcase his all-situations impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe reminds me of Ilya Kovalchuk \u2014 always open, always dangerous with the one-timer,\u201d Marr said. \u201cHe\u2019s that type of scorer, but he\u2019s also a hard-working two-way player who understands the game very well. When he\u2019s ready, he\u2019s going to hit the NHL in a big way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Belchetz, meanwhile, has taken notable strides in rounding out his game, emerging as a physically imposing presence with a growing offensive toolkit. He remained at No. 9 despite being sidelined since late February after sustaining a season-ending injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cEthan filled the holes in his game this past season, and any doubt people may have had, he erased,\u201d Marr added. \u201cHe\u2019s a power forward with good hands, strong puck skills, and high hockey sense. Sometimes it takes bigger players longer to reach their peak, but he\u2019s already performing at a high level \u2014 and he hasn\u2019t even reached that peak yet. He\u2019s a huge physical presence, but also one of the more humble players you\u2019ll meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In total, 10<\/strong> OHL players are ranked among the top 32 North American skaters, signalling strong first-round potential across the league.<\/p>\n

By position, the OHL’s contribution to the list includes 14 centres, 17 left-wingers, 11 right-wingers, and 23 defencemen, along with 11 goaltenders.<\/p>\n

All 20 OHL member teams are represented in the final rankings, led by the London Knights with seven players included \u2013 the highest total in the OHL. CHL-wide, that mark is matched by the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, while the Medicine Hat Tigers lead all CHL clubs with nine players ranked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2026 NHL Draft will be held June 26\u201327 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, marking the fourth time the Buffalo Sabres have hosted the event. The NHL will once again use a decentralized format, with prospects and their families attending in person while team executives make selections remotely from their home markets. Buffalo has also hosted the NHL\u2019s annual Scouting Combine since 2015 and will welcome the league\u2019s top draft-eligible prospects again this spring.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2026 NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings \u2013 OHL<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n

\u00a0NORTH AMERICAN SKATERS<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
RANK<\/b><\/td>\nPLAYER<\/b><\/td>\nPOS.<\/b><\/td>\nTEAM<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/span><\/td>\nChase Reid<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nSoo Greyhounds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/span><\/td>\nCaleb Malhotra<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nBrantford Bulldogs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/span><\/td>\nNikita Klepov<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nSaginaw Spirit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/span><\/td>\nEthan Belchetz<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nWindsor Spitfires<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/span><\/td>\nAdam Novotny<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nPeterborough Petes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/span><\/td>\nBrooks Rogowski<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nOshawa Generals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25<\/span><\/td>\nRyder Cali<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nNorth Bay Battalion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27<\/span><\/td>\nAdam Nemec<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nSudbury Wolves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/span><\/td>\nRyan Roobroeck<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nNiagara IceDogs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/span><\/td>\nJaxon Cover<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/span><\/td>\nThomas Vandenberg<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nOttawa 67’s<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/span><\/td>\nMaksim Sokolovskii<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41<\/span><\/td>\nAlessandro Di Iorio<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nSarnia Sting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43<\/span><\/td>\nEgor Barabanov<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nSaginaw Spirit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47<\/span><\/td>\nVladimir Dravecky<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nBrantford Bulldogs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
49<\/span><\/td>\nAlexander Bilecki<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nKitchener Rangers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
56<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nPierce Mbuyi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nOwen Sound Attack<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
59<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nCole Zurawski<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nOwen Sound Attack<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
68<\/span><\/td>\nEric Frossard<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nGuelph Storm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
69<\/span><\/td>\nBeckham Edwards<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nSarnia Sting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
71<\/span><\/td>\nBen Wilmott<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nBarrie Colts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
73<\/span><\/td>\nAlex Kostov<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nFlint Firebirds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
75<\/span><\/td>\nSpencer Bowes<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nOttawa 67’s<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
80<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nWesley Royston<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nOwen Sound Attack<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
82<\/span><\/td>\nColin Fitzgerald<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nSoo Greyhounds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
83<\/span><\/td>\nParker Vaughan<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nNorth Bay Battalion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
85<\/span><\/td>\nCarter Stevens<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nGuelph Storm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
91<\/span><\/td>\nLucas Ambrosio<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nErie Otters<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
95<\/span><\/td>\nJasper Kuhta<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nOttawa 67’s<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
97<\/span><\/td>\nAdam Levac<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nPeterborough Petes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
103<\/span><\/td>\nJean-Cristoph Lemieux<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nSudbury Wolves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
105<\/span><\/td>\nBraidy Wassilyn<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
110<\/span><\/td>\nCallum Croskery<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nSoo Greyhounds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
118<\/span><\/td>\nAiden O\u2019Donnell<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nOshawa Generals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
119<\/span><\/td>\nLayne Gallacher<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nGuelph Storm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
124<\/span><\/td>\nBrody Pepoy<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nSaginaw Spirit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
141<\/span><\/td>\nBrady Murnane<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nOshawa Generals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
142<\/span><\/td>\nAndre Mondoux<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nKingston Frontenacs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
143<\/span><\/td>\nCohen Bidgood<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
148<\/span><\/td>\nNathan Amidovski<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nBrampton Steelheads<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
152<\/span><\/td>\nJoe Salandra<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nBarrie Colts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
157<\/span><\/td>\nOndrej Ruml<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nOttawa 67’s<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
159<\/span><\/td>\nHarris Pangretitsch<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nSoo Greyhounds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
169<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nJulian Brown<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nOwen Sound Attack<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
171<\/span><\/td>\nDryden Allen<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nFlint Firebirds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
175<\/span><\/td>\nLeo Laschon<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nOshawa Generals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
181<\/span><\/td>\nIllia Shybinskyi<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nGuelph Storm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
182<\/span><\/td>\nLeon Kolarik<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nPeterborough Petes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
184<\/span><\/td>\nRyan Brown<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
186<\/span><\/td>\nDarian Anderson<\/span><\/td>\nRW<\/span><\/td>\nFlint Firebirds<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
188<\/span><\/td>\nCaden Harvey<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nWindsor Spitfires<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
190<\/span><\/td>\nJacob Vandeven<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
194<\/span><\/td>\nRowan Henderson<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nSudbury Wolves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
196<\/span><\/td>\nWeston Cameron<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nKitchener Rangers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
201<\/span><\/td>\nRylan Singh<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nGuelph Storm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
202<\/span><\/td>\nColin Feeley<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nOshawa Generals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
205<\/span><\/td>\nAndrew Robinson<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nWindsor Spitfires<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
207<\/span><\/td>\nJustin Handsor<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nBarrie Colts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
212<\/span><\/td>\nGrady Spicer<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nWindsor Spitfires<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
214<\/span><\/td>\nAlexander Karmanov<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nNorth Bay Battalion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
217<\/span><\/td>\nAlex McLean<\/span><\/td>\nC<\/span><\/td>\nKingston Frontenacs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
218<\/span><\/td>\nJulius Saari<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nErie Otters<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
219<\/span><\/td>\nCody Wood<\/span><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/td>\nLondon Knights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
220<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nElliot Arnett<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nD<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nOwen Sound Attack<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
223<\/span><\/td>\nAiden Young<\/span><\/td>\nLW<\/span><\/td>\nPeterborough Petes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honourable mention of Attack prospect Jet Kwajah<\/strong><\/em> (213 overall, Round 7) from the USHL also making his way onto the North American Skaters list.<\/p>\n

Located in the International Skaters are Attack Prospects Simas Ignatavicius<\/strong><\/em> labeled at 10th overall in the Round 1, as well as Lucian Bernat<\/em><\/strong> at 39th overall in the Second Round.<\/p>\n

GOALTENDERS<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
RANK<\/b><\/td>\nPLAYER<\/b><\/td>\nTEAM<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/span><\/td>\nRyder Fetterolf<\/span><\/td>\nOttawa 67’s<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/span><\/td>\nZachary Jovanovski<\/span><\/td>\nGuelph Storm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/span><\/td>\nStepan Shurygin<\/span><\/td>\nSaginaw Spirit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/span><\/td>\nMatthew Minchak<\/span><\/td>\nKingston Frontenacs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/span><\/td>\nVladislav Yermolenko<\/span><\/td>\nNiagara IceDogs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/span><\/td>\nArvin Jaswal<\/span><\/td>\nBarrie Colts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/span><\/td>\nMatthew Humphries<\/span><\/td>\nOshawa Generals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/span><\/td>\nGavin Betts<\/span><\/td>\nKingston Frontenacs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/span><\/td>\nBen Hrebik<\/span><\/td>\nBarrie Colts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/span><\/td>\nMaksim Corovic<\/span><\/td>\nBrantford Bulldogs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/span><\/td>\nJason Schaubel<\/span><\/td>\nKitchener Rangers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about some of the OHL prospects featured in NHL Central Scouting\u2019s Final Rankings:<\/span><\/p>\n