Mathis Preston
2025-26 Teams: Spokane Chiefs & Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Date of Birth: July 21, 2008
Place of Birth: Penticton, B.C.
Ht: 5-foot-11 Wt: 176 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible
Rankings
Add Mathis Preston to the list of dynamic offensive wingers available at the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. Although on the smaller side at less than 6 feet tall, Preston has amazing offensive abilities that just can’t go unnoticed. His shot reminds me a lot of Phil Kessel during his prime. Preston loves to blaze down the right wing and fire the puck either high glove or low blocker on opposing goaltenders, and oftentimes that shot goes into the back of the net.
In his first full season in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs, Preston scored 23 goals with the club and added another nine in 20 playoff games. This season has been a bit tougher for him to find that goal-scoring consistency after some missed games due to injury and a trade that sent him to the bottom-feeding Vancouver Giants. He worked more on his playmaking and finished the season with more assists than in 2024-25. With his season now over, Preston has finished 2025-26 with 18 goals and 44 points in 46 games.
Preston has also had a lot of success on the international stage when he has been lucky enough to wear the Maple Leaf. During this past summer, he played in the Hlinka-Gretzky Memorial tournament and helped Canada earn a bronze medal. In the five games he played at that tournament, Preston scored four goals and three assists for a total of seven points. He most notably scored a massive goal for Canada in the semi-finals against the USA, tying the game up 3-3 in the third period. He is bound to be an important part of Team Canada’s upcoming U-18 roster.
There is also an element of flair to Preston’s game. He brings a certain youthful energy to the ice and loves to hype up the crowd when he scores goals. He is also never afraid to get under the opponent’s skin and face-to-face with them to try and throw them off their own game. But there is nothing Preston likes more than celebrating his own goals and letting the crowd know by taunting the road team’s fans.
Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide
Just like every player, there are things to work on with Preston. This past season was not the big stepping stone people assumed it would be for Preston’s draft stock. His season was a bit up and down, but there were many factors to that due to an injury, being traded, and the fact that both Spokane and Vancouver were not very good this season. He also has to work on his own defensive game, as that is something that every young player has to improve on when they are looking to make it to the next level.
But the raw offensive talent is clearly there. He showed it in his rookie season on multiple occasions and showed it at the international level. Even though this season was a bit of an underwhelming one, a good U18 World Championship and an offseason to reset might be exactly what Preston needs to become the offensive threat that many see him being at the NHL level.
Other THW Draft Profiles
Mathis Preston – NHL Draft Projection
Preston has fallen off from offseason predictions, as some had him being selected in the top 10 or even the top five. His stock has fallen since then, but many still see him as a Day 1 pick in the first round. With his incredible shot and amazing offensive instincts, some team is going to get a gem with this player. Right now, his stock seems to be somewhere between pick 20 and the end of the first round. If he crept up into the late teens, I would not be surprised.
Quotables
“With his talent, there is no question he should be well up over a point per game. He has everything required to be a top end point producer at the junior level, with great skating ability, magic hands, and a shot that is hard to pick up.” – Sam Costentino, Sportsnet
“Preston does a good job of getting to the middle of the ice to redirect chances and take space away. I’ve liked him more in the showcase events (Hlinka, CHL USA Prospects Challenge), which shows he can rise to the occasion when needed.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
Strengths
- NHL-level shot
- Speed
- Ability to find open space
- Swagger
- Puck handling skills
- Agility
- Good IQ
Under Construction/ Improvements to Make
- Hot and cold 2025-26 season
- Defensive zone lapses
- Can sometimes try to make a difficult pass instead of an easy play
NHL Potential
Preston’s ceiling in the NHL is very high, but I find it safe to say his potential is that of a top-six forward. A player with an incredible shot and a very good hockey IQ with crisp passes and an ability to find open space for an offensive opportunity. His current NHL comparable to me would be Cole Caufield, and I’m sure every NHL team would love a player like that.
Risk- Reward Analysis
Risk- 1.5/5, Reward 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense- 8.5/10, Defense 6/10
Awards/ Achievements
- Hlinka-Gretzky Cup Bronze medalist
- U-17 WHC Gold medalist
- Represented Team CHL at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge
Interviews/ Links
Mathis Preston Stats
Videos
TIE GAME!!!
MATHIS PRESTON EVENS THE SCORE FOR CANADA AGAINST THE USA IN THE THIRD PERIOD! #HlinkaGretzky pic.twitter.com/QgID1cASqh
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 15, 2025
Caleb Malhotra on Mathis Preston “Yeah I got to be on the line with Mathis Preston there (CHL Prospect Challenge) for most of the games and he’s honestly a great player in his own right. He’s really fast, so trying to give him the puck in space and let him work was kind of what I… pic.twitter.com/DKRhwH5IFL
— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) March 11, 2026
Grip it and RIP IT! 🏒🚀
Mathis Preston with the go-ahead goal for the @WHLGiants! #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/PiOPL2AxF1
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 22, 2026
