Brady Knowling
2025-26 Team: USA U18 (NTDP)
Date of Birth: March 09, 2008
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ht: 6-foot-5 Wt: 203 pounds
Catches: Left
Position: G
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible
Rankings
The top-ranked North American goalie in the 2026 NHL Draft, Brady Knowling is a big body between the pipes already standing at around six-foot-five and just over 200 pounds. He’s a dual citizen having been born in Toronto, but playing for the U.S.A. Hockey National Team Development Program, and he’s a favourite to be one of the first goaltenders off the board come June’s draft in Buffalo.
Knowling had a rough start to his USNTDP career finishing his rookie season with a 2-8-0 record in 12 games with with a 6.22 goals against average (GAA) and .829 save percentage (SV%) last season. This season, however, he made the jump to the U18 program, playing in 33 games and finishing with a 15-12-0 record. He added a 3.56 GAA and .880 SV% over that span.
He also represented the U.S. at both the U18 and U20 World Junior Championship tournaments this season, however his record and his overall numbers weren’t on par with what he was able to do this season with the development program.
Where he did stand out was at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup – a tournament regularly reserved for U.S.-born players outside of the development program. But he posted a .914 SV% and 2.35 GAA while leading the Americans to gold. Along with that, he suited up in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge and really solidified his spot as a top goaltending prospect in this year’s NHL Draft.
Outside of size, Knowling can move across his crease with ease and quickness. He’s a mobile goaltender with raw talent in net and his reflexes seem to be at a level that scream pro-level goalie to scouts. While there’s still some room to improve and develop those raw skills, Knowling has convinced most that he’s on track to crack an NHL roster at some point down the road. Given the right development and situation, Knowling should be able to work his way into a starter role at the next level.
As for what’s next, the big goaltender is currently committed to Boston University in the NCAA for the 2027-28 season.
Other THW Draft Profiles
Brady Knowling – NHL Draft Projection
There are some inconsistencies among public rankers as to where Knowling will go come draft day. While some have him ranked just outside the first round, the likelihood is that Knowling will go somewhere in the middle to late second round. Even then, he has been ranked as low as a mid-third rounder pick with the skater heavy draft. Realistically, as one of the top goaltending prospects in the draft, he should go in the 55 to 64 pick range.
Quotables
“Scouts really like Knowling. He checks a lot of boxes: size, mobility and raw reflexes. Scouts are a bit worried that his hands are just not quick enough, even for junior hockey right now. That has prevented scouts from going higher with him this season. But at 18, there’s still so much runway for him to figure things out.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
“Knowling offers a very good pro presence, has excellent positional play, and is very smart at reading the plays. He’s good at tracking pucks and has excellent butterfly coverage. He’s very tough to beat in the lower half of the net.” – NHL Central Scouting
“He used his massive frame to his advantage, making saves form all areas of the ice. Knowling squared up to absorb shots from distance, moved side-to-side on time, and compete to make the occasional desperation stop when the play got hectic around his crease.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
Strengths
- Size
- Reflexes
- Side-to-side movement
- Mobility
Under Construction/Improvements to Make
- Hand movement
- Developing raw skill
NHL Potential
He has pro goaltender written all over him. His size is what teams are looking for in net. His mobility is trending at a professional level and his reflexes are already a good base to work with. It will take some time and his commitment to Boston University is going to prove helpful for his overall development, but Knowling should grow into a starting goaltender at the NHL level down the road. If not a 1A, he certainly has 1B potential in his game.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 3/5, Reward – 3.5/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Goaltending – 7.5/10
Awards/Achievements
It may be a short list for the time being, but given the workload he carried this past season, Knowling’s gold medal run at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is worth noting on his resume. Surely this won’t be the last we hear about his accomplishments moving forward and it likely won’t be the last on the international stage either.
Interviews/Links
Brady Knowling Stats
Videos
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