2025-26 Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)Date of Birth: Jan. 29, 2008Place of Birth: Oakville, ONHt: 6-foot-1 Wt: 176 poundsShoots: LeftPosition: DefenceNHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible
Croskery came onto the OHL scene this season after spending the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). With the Steel, he recorded 10 points in 54 games and intended to stay with the organization before going to Boston College. But the new CHL-NCAA merger allowed him to come play closer to home, and he decided to sign with the Greyhounds and play his draft season in the OHL.
This season, Croskery came to the Soo Greyhounds, and despite an early injury, he was able to play 43 games and recorded 18 points. While everyone was paying attention to his teammate, Chase Reid, Croskery was going under the radar and showing off his great skating and edgework and added an offensive touch to the game when needed.
His services were needed by the Greyhounds, and he made a big impact on the team. Sault Ste. Marie got to the second round of the OHL Playoffs but sadly ran into an incredibly hot Kitchener Rangers team and lost in five games.
That didn’t signal the end for Croskery this season, as he was invited to play for Canada at the U-18 Men’s World Championships in Slovakia. Croskery got a great opportunity on that team, where he played on a pair with the team’s captain, Keaton Verhoeff, who many believe will be a top-10 pick in this upcoming draft.
Croskery had a good tournament, with the highlight of his five games being a tying goal against Sweden right at the buzzer of the second period. His low point came in that same game, where he flipped the puck over the glass in the third period, taking a late-game penalty that resulted in Sweden scoring to go up 3-2 and eventually win the game. This eliminated Canada from the tournament in the quarter-finals. He finished the U-18s with four points in five games.
Croskery seems like a safe draft pick. He knows what he is good at and plays his game to complement his strengths. He is a great skater, transitions the puck well, and gets back in a hurry when needed. He will need to improve his scoring abilities and avoid being muscled off the puck when in his own end.
He won’t be in the fight for top defenceman in the draft, but people really like what Croskery brings to the table. He is a great skater with great edgework and has pretty good speed for a defenceman. But he doesn’t seem to be phenomenal at anything in particular, and on the flip side, he isn’t terrible at anything either. Those types of attributes will probably land him in the third round and maybe even slip to the fourth since this draft class is stacked with great defenders.
“He’s a great skater with great mobility and has his head on a swivel all the time. He sees the ice very well from the back end.” – Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Scouting
Croskery still has a lot of work to do in his development, but I can see him being a second-pairing defenceman at the NHL level. Being able to play with players like Reid and Verhoeff this season has helped him, and the fact that he didn’t look out of place while playing with either of them is a telling sign. Next season will be a big step in his development, but I see him being an NHL player within the next five seasons.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 2.5/5, Reward – 3.5/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense – 7/10, Defence – 6/10
BUZZER BEATER❗️@OHLHoundPower d-man Callum Croskery scores at 19:59 of the second period to bring 🇨🇦 level in their #U18MensWorlds quarterfinal! pic.twitter.com/sJxPdbOc6t
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) April 29, 2026
Looking right at home in red and white. 🔴⚪
Callum Croskery is fired up for his first season in the Soo — and to wear the Maple Leaf at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. 🇨🇦@OHLHoundPower | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/NUbrnxiSgh
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) August 9, 2025
CALLUM CROSKERY PICKS HIS SPOT AND TIES THE GAME! pic.twitter.com/sttU3Vv5PM
— X – Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) March 31, 2026
Free Newsletter
Get NHL Entry Draft coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes - free.
Subscribe Free →
Source link
Visit our site and see all other available articles!