2026 NHL Draft – Top 10 WHL Prospects – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

The Western Hockey League (WHL) consistently pumps out high-end talent for the NHL Entry Draft—we saw nine first-round picks come from there in 2025. Though losing top prospect Gavin McKenna, formerly of the Medicine Hat Tigers, to the NCAA was a tough blow, this year’s draft class is poised to see plenty of WHL faces.

Here are the top-10 prospects out of the WHL for the 2026 NHL Draft, as listed by NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings from April.

10. Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 32^nd (among North American skaters)

Before the 2025–26 season began, it wasn’t uncommon to see Mathis Preston listed as the WHL’s top draft-eligible prospect. He’s fallen from grace a bit in that sense, but the Vancouver Giants right-winger could still become a notable NHLer.

Preston finished the campaign with 18 goals and 26 assists in 46 games, split between the Spokane Chiefs and the Giants.

Despite the drop-off in consensus rankings, the reasons to like Preston are still there. He has a great shot, good speed, and is one of the more skilled prospects in the class. However, as writer Lukas Bernasiewicz noted in Preston’s prospect profile (linked in the opening sentence), there are some defensive and consistency issues present.

9. Jakub Vaněček, D, Tri-City Americans

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 31^st

Jakub Vaněček, who got his first taste of North American hockey this season, possesses must-have traits for an NHL defender. He was reliable for the Tri-City Americans on zone exits, able to cleanly get the puck out of danger even when under pressure.

Vaněček recorded 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 59 games on the campaign, which is decent production. His strong two-way game could have him considered for the first round, though the second seems more likely.

8. Chase Harrington, LW, Spokane Chiefs

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 26^th

Chase Harrington is a physical winger who can play either the left or right side. His 105 penalty minutes and 201-pound frame may suggest that he’s a pure grinder, but that’s not the case.

Harrington is a smart player with an impressive shot, making him a legitimate goal-scoring threat. He led Spokane in goals (28) and points (57) across 61 contests. Teams might see top-nine forward upside here and take a swing early in the second round.

7. Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat Tigers

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 23^rd

Markus Ruck, whose twin brother you’ll hear about shortly, was the highest-scoring player in the WHL this past season. He recorded 21 goals and 87 assists in 68 games, giving him the second-highest assist-per-game total among draft-eligible or younger players this century.

Ruck is effective in a lot of areas. His vision, playmaking, two-way engagement, and net-front presence are all encouraging traits. It’s unclear how translatable his production is, but the 18-year-old centre will certainly be someone to keep an eye on.

6. Ben Macbeath, D, Calgary Hitmen

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 22^nd

Ben Macbeath is the first of a few defencemen on this list whose skating and two-way play could take them far. As a rookie for the Calgary Hitmen, he recorded seven goals and 44 assists in 67 games, showing flashes at both ends of the ice.

Committed to the University of Denver next season, there should be extra belief in his development. There’s more upside than what Macbeath showed this season, as is usually the case with 18-year-olds, so Denver is an ideal fit.

5. Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 20^th

Liam Ruck had the second-highest goal and point totals in the WHL this past season, recording 45 goals and 59 assists in 68 games. He has skyrocketed up the consensus rankings as a result.

Though Markus deserves to go high in the draft, there’s a reason why most scouts in the public sphere favour Liam. The two-way engagement, goal-scoring ability, and dynamism around the net make him a potential mid-first-round pick.

4. Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 16^th

The obvious knock on Ryan Lin is his 5-foot-11, 176-pound frame, but he checks basically every other box for a successful defenceman at the NHL level.

Lin’s skating stands out. He routinely carries the puck up the ice if necessary, and he has the vision to set up chances. With 14 goals and 43 assists in 53 games, there’s offensive potential here.

Perhaps most notably, Lin displays high-end shutdown ability. He defends the rush well and uses his skating to be disruptive in his own zone. He has the speed to quickly start a counter-rush, too.

3. J.P. Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops Blazers

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 12^th

J.P. Hurlbert’s production slowed after an incredible first two months of the WHL season, but he still finished with 42 goals and 55 assists in 68 games—both top-10 marks.

Hurlbert is a play-driving forward who creates advantages for his teammates. His cycle game, decision-making, and two-way ability are all pluses for him. There’s a path to becoming a middle-six forward, or even better, for the University of Michigan commit.

2. Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 5^th

On most boards, Daxon Rudolph is cemented as a top-five defenceman for the 2026 class. The Prince Albert Raiders right-shot defender has size, eye-opening production, and an ability to shut plays down.

Rudolph recorded 28 goals and 50 assists in 68 games, tying for 17^th in the WHL point-scoring race and leading all draft-year defencemen.

More than anything, Rudolph’s mobility and two-way game make him an exciting prospect. If all goes well, he could be a top-pairing player in the NHL someday.

1. Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 3^rd

There really shouldn’t be much debate for this spot. Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels blends elite shutdown potential with offensive explosiveness, recording 20 goals and 53 assists in 58 games this season.

Those bullish on Carels will tell you he has a franchise defenceman ceiling. At his best, the left-shot blueliner commands play in all three zones against top competition. His skating ability, defensive prowess, and offensive production should make him one of the most highly coveted players in the class.

Among the 10 players from last year’s list, eight were first-round picks, and two were second-rounders. If NHL Central Scouting gets it right again, be sure to keep tabs on these prospects.