Cali, Karmanov drafted
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Centre Ryder Cali was the first of two North Bay Battalion skaters selected Saturday in the National Hockey League Draft, taken in the second round by the Florida Panthers.
Defenceman Alexander Karmanov followed in the seventh round to the San Jose Sharks.
In the process that started with the first round Friday night, the 32 NHL teams drafted a total of 223 skaters and goaltenders, including 47 from the Ontario Hockey League, constituting 21.1 percent of selections. They were made up of 28 forwards, 15 defencemen and four goaltenders.
The Canadian Hockey League produced 106 picks, including 39 from the Western Hockey League and 20 from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Drafted 48th overall, Cali, who also has played left wing, scored 16 goals and earned 20 assists for 36 points in 47 games in 2025-26 after missing time to injury.
He became the highest NHL pick from the Battalion in the North Bay era. Cam Dineen was chosen 68th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016, and fellow defenceman Ty Nelson matched that when he went to the Seattle Kraken in 2022. The Anaheim Ducks took centre Ethan Procyszyn at No. 68 in 2024. The highest pick in franchise history is centre Matt Duchene, taken third overall from Brampton by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009.
A first-round pick, 18th overall, by the Soo Greyhounds in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16s, Cali’s rights were acquired by North Bay in a trade Sept. 13, 2024. The Penetanguishene, Ont., resident, whom the NHL has measured at six-foot-two and 214 pounds, turns 18 on Sept. 6.
“It didn’t feel real for a second,” Cali said of the announcement of the Panthers’ pick. “I had to make sure that they actually said my name, but I knew when everyone else stood up that it was true. Florida’s the best place to be drafted ever, so I couldn’t be more excited.”
The Panthers have chosen two other Troops in recent years, centre Liam Arnsby in 2022 and winger Shamar Moses in 2025.
“I’ve got a teammate who was drafted there, Shamar Moses, so I’m fired up to get to see him again,” said Cali, who noted that he enjoyed his first full season with North Bay after playing five games as a midseason callup in 2024-25.
“This was the best first year in the OHL I could have ever asked for. The coaching staff, after trading for me, was amazing the whole time. I have nothing but good things to say about the coaching staff and the organization and the players as well.
“Without them who knows what would have happened, but I’m so happy that I ended up in North Bay. I got to meet all these new people, and my billets were amazing too, so I’m so thrilled that it was the Battalion.”
Adam Dennis, the Battalion’s director of hockey operations, who attended the draft at KeyBank Center, said he was glad to see Cali, a native of Lugano, Switzerland, selected by the Panthers.
“We’re very happy to see Florida take an interest in another one of our players in Ryder. He has dealt with a lot this year with his injury but emerged as a key contributor for us down the stretch. He has a very bright future, and I look forward to watching his progress within the Panthers organization.”
It’s unknown whether Cali, who has committed to Providence College of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for next season, may alter his plans now that his NHL affiliation is established.
The Battalion acquired the rights to Karmanov, a native of Chisinau, Moldova, from the junior B Brantford Titans last November after he was a third-round pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft by the Brantford Bulldogs.
Karmanov, a left-shot rearguard who turned 18 on March 22, had two assists in 20 games. Listed by the NHL as seven-foot-one and 272 pounds, he’s the tallest player ever drafted to the league and the first Moldovan.
Officially the 201st pick, he actually was the 200th player named, as the Vegas Golden Knights forfeited their second-rounder at No. 63 after “flagrant violations” of NHL protocols, including failing to open their dressing room to the media after a 5-1 playoff victory May 14 at Anaheim.
“Even though it was less than a full season, Alex has been one of the most polarizing players that I’ve come into contact with in North Bay,” Dennis noted of Karmanov, who wasn’t at the draft.
“Because of his stature, he’s unlike any other prospect in this class, but I’m thrilled to see that the Sharks have invested in his potential, as we certainly believe he has the drive and character to put it all together.”
Centre Caleb Malhotra of Brantford was the first of seven OHLers chosen in the first round, the most from any league, with the Vancouver Canucks taking him third overall.
Players are first-time eligible for the NHL Draft in the year they turn 18, unless they were born Sept. 16 or later, in which case they must wait until the following year.
