The online countdown of the top 100 hockey players aged 21 and under continues.
Hockey News Prospects Unlimited IssueThe annual ranking of hockey’s youngest talents is compiled by Ryan Kennedy, and while it uses our Future Watch rankings as a resource, it is a completely independent compilation.
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Surveillance of the future is based on a survey of NHL scouts, while the PU Top 100 is concocted by Kennedy based on his projections of what players will be like once they reach their peak.
Since different positions have different glory years, that means we’re projecting the quality of these forwards when they’re 23 or 24, defenders when they’re 24 or 25, and goalkeepers when they’re 25 or 26.
The cut-off birth year for this year’s list is 2004. Ages shown are as of October 1.
As we share the Top 100 list on TheHockeyNews.com, you can see the full list with player biographies and preliminary information for each of them right away by subscribe to The Hockey News and access the Archive or by opening the magazine if you have already received it in your mailbox.
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Catch up with ranked players 61st to 80th And 81st to 100th. Here’s the next batch.
60. Jackson Smith, D, 18, Columbus Blue Jackets
Penn State (Big Ten)
59. Trey Augustine, G, 20, Detroit Red Wings
Michigan State (Big Ten)
58. Dmitri Simashev, D, 20, Utah Mammoth
Utah (NHL)
57. Kevin Korchinski, D, 21, Chicago Blackhawks
Rockford (AHL)
56. Tynan Lawrence, C, 17, Muskegon Loggers (USHL)
NHL Draft: 2026
55. Denton Mateychuk, D, 21, Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus (NHL)
In his second season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Denton Mateychuk has already made an impact on and off the ice. If he continues down this path, a billboard in his hometown will be next. Access the full feature on Mateychuk by clicking here.
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54. Mikhail Yegorov, G, 19, New Jersey Devils
Boston University. (HE)
53. Max Penkin, C, 16 years old, Adler Mannheim (German)
NHL Draft: 2027
52. Ivar Stenberg, LW, 18 years old, Frolunda HC (Sweden)
NHL Draft: 2026
51. Mason West, C, 18, Chicago Blackhawks
Fargo (USHL)
Jiri Kulich (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)
50. Jiri Kulich, C, 21, Buffalo Sabers
Buffalo (NHL)
49. Gabe Perreault, RW, 20, New York Rangers
Hartford (AHL)
48. Isaac Howard, LW, 21, Edmonton Oilers
Bakersfield (AHL)
47. Alexis Joseph, C, 16, Saint John Sea Dogs
NHL Draft: 2027
With his size and skill, Sea Dogs center Alexis Joseph has forced his way into the debate over who will be the top pick in 2027. Access the full feature on Joseph by clicking here.
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46. Marco Kasper, C, 21, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit (NHL)
After making his NHL debut last season, Marco Kasper has already established himself as an important part of the Detroit Red Wings core. With the confidence of his coaches and teammates already on his side, the future looks bright. Access the full functionality of Kasper by clicking here.
45. JP Hurlbert, RW, 17, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
NHL Draft: 2026
44. Berkly Catton, C, 19, Seattle Kraken
Seattle (NHL)
43. Jacob Fowler, G, 20, Montreal Canadiens
Laval (LAH)
Logan Cooley (Rob Gray-Imagn Images)
42. Logan Cooley, C, 21, Utah Mammoth
Utah (NHL)
41. James Hagens, C, 18, Boston Bruins
Boston College (HE)
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