NHL Prospect Watch: Vegas Golden Knights

Ahead of the 2025-26 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for each of the NHL’s 32 teams. This series will highlight current and former WHL players who are signed to an NHL contract, have recently been drafted by an NHL team, or meet the NHL’s definition of a rookie.

The Vegas Golden Knights and the Western Hockey League’s bright lights – a picture-perfect match.

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Jakub Demek

Over two seasons in the Western Hockey League, Slovakian import Jakub Demek accomplished his fair share.

Selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round (47th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Demek debuted with the Oil Kings in 2021-22, recording 54 points (20G-34A) in 55 regular season games. He was then a key cog in the machine, tallying 17 points (5G-12A) as the Edmonton Oil Kings marched to the 2022 WHL Championship and claimed the Ed Chynoweth Cup. In three appearances with the Oil Kings at the Memorial Cup, Demek contributed an assist.

The following season, Demek was traded to the Memorial Cup-host Kamloops Blazers. In an injury-shortened campaign, the 6-foot-4, 203-pound centre still managed 11 points (4G-7A) in 15 regular season outings before adding another 11 points (4G-7A) in 14 post-season contests as the Blazers were eliminated by the eventual WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Conference Championship.

Despite falling in the WHL Playoffs, Demek was once again off to the Memorial Cup, this time with the Blazers. He notched three points (1G-2A) in four games as the host Blazers battled admirably, but ultimately fell short.

Since graduating from the WHL, Demek has been finding his way in the pro ranks within the Vegas Golden Knights system. In 86 career AHL regular season games, the product of Kosice, Slovakia, has secured 35 points (13G-22A).

The Golden Knights selected Demek in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He is entering the third and final year of his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.

Tic-tac-toe and three-in-a-row for Jakub Demek🎲@HSKnights | #HSKvsBAK pic.twitter.com/zxYPecno95

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 19, 2025

Jordan Gustafson

After five seasons in the WHL, forward Jordan Gustafson is set to graduate to pro hockey in 2025-26.

Hailing from Ardrossan, Alta., the 6-foot, 184-pound Gustafson was originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft. He went on to spend four seasons with the Thunderbirds, playing in 154 regular season games and collecting 127 points (55G-72A). Gustafson helped the Thunderbirds make back-to-back trips to the WHL Championship, falling to the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2022 before emerging triumphant in 2023.

During his final season in the WHL, Gustafson was moved to the Lethbridge Hurricanes ahead of the 2025 WHL Trade Deadline. He went on to play eight games, adding nine points (6G-3A) to his career regular season totals. He also appeared in 10 playoff games with the Hurricanes, notching six points (3G-3A).

Selected by the Golden Knights in the third round (79th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Gustafson is a natural leader, having served as captain of the Thunderbirds during the 2023-24 season.

Thank you, Jordan Gustafson. Though your time in Lethbridge was short, your impact was lasting. Wishing you all the best after an incredible junior career. #GusBus 🚌👏 pic.twitter.com/cWxz16DPOu

— Lethbridge Hurricanes (@WHLHurricanes) May 14, 2025

Ben Hemmerling

After missing most of the 2024-25 season with an upper-body injury, former Everett Silvertips forward Ben Hemmerling is poised to make an impact in the pro ranks this season.

Hemmerling, 21, missed five months last season, eventually making his AHL debut with the Henderson Silver Knights on March 8, 2025. He went on to appear in 17 games with the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, scrounging two points (1G-1A).

Not far remove from a 91-point WHL season with the Everett Silvertips, in which was named to the WHL’s U.S. Division First All-Star Team, there’s no question Hemmerling has the ability to influence the game when he is healthy.

Originally selected in the third round (49th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Hemmerling played 199 career WHL regular season games with the Silvertips, notching 207 points (64G-143A). He served as Silvertips captain during the 2023-24 season.

Selected by the Golden Knights in the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Hemmerling signed a three-year, entry-level contract November 25, 2023.

🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥

Stay gold, Ben Hemmerling!@WHLsilvertips | @GoldenKnights | #WHLHoN | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vXbvEvPlWe

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) April 16, 2024

Viliam Kmec

Following four seasons with the Prince George Cougars, Slovakian defenceman Viliam Kmec will make the leap to the pro ranks with the Henderson Silver Knights in 2025-26 after signing with the Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent in September 2024.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-shot defender enjoyed a career campaign in 2023-24, logging 61 points (18G-43A) in 65 games, earning a place on the WHL’s Western Conference Second All-Star Team. It marks the second consecutive season in which Kmec was named a WHL All-Star, after he was voted to the WHL’s B.C. Division Second All-Star Team in 2023-24.

Selected by the Cougars in the second round (104th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, the 21-year-old Kmec was a mainstay in Prince George for four season, skating in 245 career regular season games while posting 141 points (36G-105A) and a plus-87 rating.

An NHL contract, a career season, a Western Conference second team all-star, and a nominee for WHL defenceman of the year.

Is there anything Viliam Kmec can't do!?

Check out some of his best moments from 2024-25!@GoldenKnights • @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/9RyfaDSmrH

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) April 12, 2025

Cole Reinhardt

Former Brandon Wheat Kings forward Cole Reinhardt is looking to a fellow Wheat Kings alumnus for another opportunity.

After making his NHL debut as a member of the Ottawa Senators, the 25-year-old native of Calgary, Alta., signed a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights this past summer. The Golden Knights, of course, are managed by longtime Wheat Kings owner, GM, and head coach Kelly McCrimmon.

Selected by the Senators in the sixth round (181st overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Reinhardt made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season, seeing action in one game. It took another three seasons before he returned to the bright lights of the NHL, but the 2024-25 campaign featured a 17-game stint with the Sens for Reinhardt, in which he scored his first career NHL goal.

Having appeared in 270 career AHL games, Reinhardt has proven he is capable of playing at that level, collecting 131 points (54G-77A).

The 6-foot-1, 207-pound winger was originally a ninth-round pick (198th overall) of the Wheat Kings in the 2015 WHL Draft. He went on to skate in 252 career WHL regular season games, tallying 141 points (75G-66A) and is proof that you can still find a path as a late-round draft choice.

FIRST CAREER GOAL ALERT. 🚨

Cole Reinhardt makes it 3-1 Sens.#NHLonPrime | @Senators pic.twitter.com/TBhyIHdYxA

— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) November 26, 2024

Christoffer Sedoff

Another free agent defenceman to sign out of the WHL with the Vegas Golden Knights, Finnish product Christoffer Sedoff is entering his third pro campaign.

Through two seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights, the mobile, 6-foot-1, 196-pound rearguard has seen action in 107 AHL games, tallying 24 points (4G-20A).

A two-time WHL All-Star with the Red Deer Rebels, Sedoff played three seasons in the WHL after being selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2019 CHL Import Draft. In 185 career WHL regular season games, Sedoff logged 131 points (17G-114A). For two seasons – 2021-22 and 2022-23 – he also served as an alternate captain in Red Deer.

Internationally, Sedoff has represented Finland on numerous occasions, including at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He won silver with Finland at the 2018 World U17 Hockey Challenge.

CHRISTOFFER!@Rebelshockey | @GoldenKnights#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/ZZwGnxMeAG

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) April 16, 2023

Kai Uchacz

Another former Red Deer Rebel to grace the Vegas Golden Knights prospect list – Kai Uchacz is the only 50-goal scorer you will find here and he also signed with the Golden Knights as an undrafted free agent.

The 22-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., logged back-to-back seasons with 80+ points to close out his WHL career, including a 50-goal campaign in 2022-23. In both of Uchacz’s final two seasons with Red Deer, he was named to the WHL’s Central Division First All-Star Team.

Making his professional debut in 2024-25, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound forward recorded 30 points (15G-15A) in 68 games with the Henderson Silver Knights.

Captain Kai Uchacz has the 2023 Teddy Bear Toss goal for the @Rebelshockey! pic.twitter.com/en9ctTZFZL

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) December 3, 2023

Jesper Vikman

Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Jesper Vikman is fighting for space within a crowded Vegas Golden Knights depth chart that features five goaltenders signed to NHL contracts, including veteran Portland Winterhawks alumnus Adin Hill.

For the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Vikman, he is aiming to take off in his third pro season. Since graduating from the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, the 23-year-old puckstopper has split time between the AHL and ECHL. In 23 AHL contests, Vikman is 8-11-2 with a 3.54 goals-against average (GAA), .890 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout. Over 57 career ECHL appearances, he owns a record of 31-23-3 with a 3.14 GAA, .897 SV%, and one shutout.

Selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the fifth round (125th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Vikman came over to North American after hearing his named called by the Vancouver Giants with a first-round pick (eighth overall) in the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

Two WHL seasons with the Giants came with success for Vikman, who secured a career record of 36-36-3 with a 3.19 GAA, .903 SV%, and four shutouts. The 2022-23 season saw Vikman named to the WHL’s B.C. Division First All-Star Team after he went 19-21-1 with a 3.29 GAA, .903 SV%, and one shutout.

A GOALIE GOAL??? I REPEAT A GOALIE GOAL???

JESPER VIKMAN MAKES IT 5-2 IN MAINE TO CLOSE OUT THE THIRD!!! pic.twitter.com/EbQtsS1LrM

— Tahoe Knight Monsters (@Knight_monsters) January 5, 2025

Alex Weiermair

The newest WHL player on this list and the most recently drafted player on this list, Alex Weiermair exploded onto the scene with the Portland Winterhawks in the spring of 2025.

A 2005-born product of Los Angeles, Calif., Weiermair had previously been passed over in the NHL Draft.

In December 2024, he made the decision to leave the University of Denver and join the Winterhawks. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound right winger didn’t waste much time making a name for himself, rattling off 46 points (21G-25A) in 41 regular season games to close out the schedule.

Weiermair took it a step further during the 2025 WHL Playoffs, collecting 23 points (10G-13A) in 18 post-season games, making a real impact for the Winterhawks as they advanced to the Western Conference Championship, only to fall to the Spokane Chiefs.

Still, Weiermair had done enough to capture the attention of scouts, and the Golden Knights selected him in the sixth-round (186th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Now 20 years old, we await the next trick Weiermair has up his sleeve in 2025-26.

2025 NHL Draft Profile: Alex Weiermair

The dynamic forward made an immediate impact in his first season, tallying 21 goals and 46 points in just 41 games. Weiermair’s skill, creativity, and scoring touch helped drive the offense and elevate the play of those around him. pic.twitter.com/CuPDihj16I

— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) June 20, 2025