WHL leads way in Craig Button’s 2026 NHL Draft projections

The Western Hockey League is set to lead the charge at the 2026 NHL Draft, according to Craig Button, TSN’s Director of Scouting.

Thursday morning, Button issued the first edition of Craig’s List for the 2026 NHL Draft, identifying Medicine Hat Tigers star Gavin McKenna as the projected first-overall selection followed by Spokane Chiefs goal scorer Mathis Preston as the projected second-overall pick.

“McKenna could’ve been the first pick last year, he’d be the first pick this year, and there’s no doubt who the first pick is next year,” Button told TSN.ca. “He is one of the very best players outside the NHL. What I see in him is an IQ off the charts and a brilliance that has no limits.”

In total, Button lists three WHL players in his top five, including Victoria Royals defenceman Keaton Verhoeff.

Joining McKenna, Preston, and Verhoeff on Craig’s List for 2026 are Vancouver Giants defenceman Ryan Lin (sixth) and Prince George Cougars blueliner Carson Carels (ninth).

The WHL leads all development leagues on Craig’s List, with 50 per cent of the players identified in the top 10. The Ontario Hockey League slides into second with three players – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires), Colin Fitzgerald (Peterborough Petes), and Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs).

 

 

McKenna has long stood above the rest of the draft class as the de facto No. 1 prospect for 2026. He was named the WHL’s Rookie of the Year for 2023-24 and prior to the start of the 2024-25 campaign, he helped Canada claim gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. Named the WHL’s Player of the Month for September and October, McKenna has only picked up his production in recent weeks, securing 16 points (4G-12A) in six games since November 1.

The 6-foot, 165-pound product of Whitehorse, Yukon, is beginning to build a cushion atop the WHL scoring race, with his 39 points (11G-28A) in 20 games sitting four ahead of Swift Current Broncos forward Luke Mistelbacher and his 35 points (13G-22A).

At this stage, it seems like a long shot for another prospect to unseat McKenna heading into 2026.

Preston is coming off a successful showing for Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Challenge, where he scored six goals to help lead his team to gold.

The 5-foot-11, 168-pound product of Penticton, B.C., has tallied 10 points (7G-3A) in 14 games with the Chiefs this season. Originally selected third overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Preston appears poised to pack a 1-2 WHL punch alongside McKenna heading into the 2026 NHL Draft.

“What an impressive, talented, skilled offensive player,” Button told TSN.ca about Preston. “Lightning fast hands, lightning quick mind, offensive instincts off the charts. He reminds me of Joe Sakic.”

Last we checked, it isn’t a bad thing to be compared to a Hockey Hall of Famer, Stanley Cup champion, and former WHL Player of the Year.

 

 

Like Preston, Verhoeff also recently returned from the 2024 U17 World Challenge with gold around his neck, as he captained Canada White to victory, contributing five points (1G-4A) in five games.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., has registered 11 points (5G-6A) in 14 games to start the season with Victoria. Originally selected fourth overall behind Preston in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Verhoeff represents the top-ranked defenceman on Craig’s List for the 2026 NHL Draft.

“He just screams 25-minute a game player,” Button told TSN.ca of Verhoeff. “He reminds me of [Aaron] Ekblad, just so efficient, smart, so good, and competitive. When he’s out on the ice, it lowers coaches’ heart rates, increases their comfort level, and they just know that everything is under control.”

Two more blueliners round out the WHL representation in the Craig’s List top 10.

Lin has secured 13 assists in 13 games on the Giants blueline this season, skating to a plus-7 rating along the way. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound product of Richmond, B.C., was originally selected sixth overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and has been a steady presence on the Giants blueline this season. He also enjoyed an impressive showing at the 2024 U17 World Challenge, helping Canada White to gold.

“Dynamic defenceman,” Button told TSN.ca of Lin. “He’s ready to break the puck out, he closes defensively, ready to transition, moves the puck. He does it with his feet and hands. He’s into the attack, always alert, always attuned. He’s a presence out there and he gets involved.”

Carels has chipped in with nine assists in 15 games from the Prince George blueline. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound product of Cypress River, Man., was originally selected 16th overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Carels tallied four assists in four games, helping Canada Red to a silver medal finish at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

“He is so good,” Button told TSN.ca of Carels. “IQ off the charts. He just makes the game look easy. He’s the player that could easily be higher.”

WHL fans can see each of McKenna, Preston, Verhoeff, Lin, and Carels in action this weekend.