Players on the draft list with an A grade are considered potential first-round picks. Players ranked B are considered possible picks in the second or third round; those who get a C grade are potential candidates in the fourth or fifth round; Players with a W rating are possible sixth and seventh round picks.
PDF: Central Scouting Bureau Preliminary Players to Watch List
This is the first season that Canadian Hockey League players are eligible to play in the NCAA, and McKenna is the highest profile among the 175 players, according to College Hockey Inc., which made the jump this season.
McKenna finished second in the Western Hockey League last season with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games with Medicine Hat and was named player of the year in both the WHL and Canadian Hockey League.
“The NCAA rule change has already significantly altered the hockey landscape to benefit players by providing them with options for their hockey activities,” Marr said. “Many former CHL players have taken on important roles on their NCAA teams at the start of this season and this will only increase the depth of NCAA teams. It may take a few years to determine the full impact of this rule change.”
McKenna had two assists in his first collegiate game, a 6-3 win over Arizona State on Oct. 3, and scored the deciding power-play goal in a 4-2 win over the Sun Devils 24 hours later.
“I think there’s a lot less time and space,” McKenna said when asked about the differences between the WHL and the NCAA. “The guys are bigger, faster, older. It’s not too different in terms of skill and stuff. Obviously both leagues are very skilled and the guys can make plays. But in terms of speed and size, I think that’s the biggest difference.”
McKenna said living on his own, some 3,500 miles from his hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon, is an adjustment, but he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ll tell you; I thought his play without the puck was really, really good,” Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky said. “I underestimated how good he was with it, so here he comes. And believe me, he gets bigger and stronger every week. Give him a few months.”
A-rated skaters considered likely to be selected in the first half of the first round include defensemen Keaton Verhoeff (6-3, 208) of the University of North Dakota, Ryan Lin (5-11, 177) of Vancouver (WHL), Xavier Villeneuve (5-11, 162) of Blainville-Boisbriand in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League and Malte Gustafsson (6-4, 200) of HV71’s team in the Swedish junior league.
A-rated forwards who could be picked early include Ethan Belchetz (6-5, 228) of Windsor in the Ontario Hockey League, Ryan Roobroeck (6-3, 215) of Niagara (OHL), Tynan Lawrence (6-0, 185) of Muskegon in the United States Hockey League, Ivar Stenberg (5-11, 183) of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League and Marcus Nordmark (6-1, 183) 180) of the Djurgarden team in the Swedish junior league.
Verhoeff, a right-handed defenseman, had three points (two goals, one assist) in four NCAA games. The second youngest player in men’s college hockey, he will turn 18 on June 19.
He finished third among WHL rookie defensemen last season with 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 63 games with Victoria. Verhoeff is also a cousin of NHL forwards Kirby Dach (Montreal Canadiens) and Colton Dach (Chicago Blackhawks).
“He has the size and wingspan to be a very good defender and he also has very good offensive instincts,” Western Scouting Center senior scout John Williams said of Verhoeff. “He can run a power play and is very good at recognizing opportunities. He jumps on the run and crushes the net very well. He still needs to grow into his body, but he should become a very good skater over time.
“He’s the type of defenseman who can play big minutes in all situations and is a potential number one defenseman; I would use (Washington Capitals defenseman) John Carlson as a comparison.”
Belchetz is tied for the OHL lead with 10 goals and has 16 points in 13 games for Windsor in his second OHL season.
“He’s a size and strength prospect who projects as a power forward,” said Nick Smith of Central Scouting. “He’s made noticeable improvements in his footwork and agility. I’d say his hands seem even quicker. He’s tough to deal with down low and he’s a beast in the blue paint. He has common sense and can think the game with smart players. His 200-foot game has improved as well. Ethan has a really high ceiling, especially with his work ethic.”
Stenberg and Nordmark are two of the best prospects in the international contingent.
Stenberg has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 12 SHL games.
“He possesses elite skating, puck control and creativity that make him a constant threat,” said NHL Director of European Scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen. “His ability to change pace and direction while maintaining possession stands out, and he showed a solid game. A guaranteed first round if all goes according to plan.”
Nordmark has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 10 games in the Swedish junior league.
“Marcus is an exceptionally talented offensive player with all the skills necessary to score effectively, even if he doesn’t always show competitive dynamism without the puck,” Vuorinen said. “He has strong hands, a good shot and creates scoring chances with his excellent passes. He plays with courage and great determination to score.”
Luke Schairer (6-3, 195), a right-handed defenseman, is the only player on USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program under-18 team to receive an A grade. Schairer, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, is committed to Boston University in 2026-27. He has one assist and 12 shots on goal in 11 games.
