Meet the Manitobans who could be picked in this year’s NHL Draft

Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carols is seen skating in an undated photo. (Canadian Hockey League)

More than 400 Manitobans have suited up in NHL history, and a handful of hockey prospects could be one step closer to joining them following this weekend’s draft.

According to NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, five Manitobans could be selected over the course of the two-day event in Buffalo, N.Y.

Carson Carels

Cypress River’s Carson Carels could join rare company when his name is called on the draft floor.

The left-shot defenceman is the #3 ranked North American skater and could go in the top five based on draft projections.

He would join a short list of Manitobans who have been selected that early – most notably Jonathan Toews in 2006 and Reggie Leach in 1970. Other names on that list include Nolan Patrick (2017), Cam Barker (2004), Pat Falloon (1991) and Curtis Leschyshyn (1988).

Carels has spent the past three years playing for the WHL’s Prince George Cougars and racked up 20 goals and 53 assists in 58 games this past season.

He also suited up for Team Canada at the World Juniors and chipped in one assist in five games for the bronze medal-winning squad.

The 18-year-old has already committed to playing at the University of North Dakota for the upcoming season.

Brek Liske

Defenceman Brek Liske, who hails from Beausejour, is ranked 44th among North American skaters ahead of the draft.

The 18-year-old put up seven goals and 17 assists playing for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips in 2025-26.

Liske erupted for 17 points in 18 games during the playoffs en route to the Silvertips’ first-ever WHL championship. In fact, the Manitoban scored the series-clinching goal against the Prince Albert Raiders to claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Zachary Lansard

Ste. Anne product Zachary Lansard inched towards becoming a point-per-game player in his second season with the Regina Pats.

The right winger scored 24 goals and added 32 assists in 68 games for the Pats in the 2025-26 season.

The 17-year-old is currently ranked 70th among North American skaters.

Jonas Woo

Jonas Woo, a right-handed defenceman from Winnipeg, is coming off a historic season for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.

Woo tallied a franchise-record 86 points as a blueliner in 56 regular season games.

The 19-year-old is the 179th-ranked North American skater in the draft.

He’s heading to Arizona this upcoming season to play NCAA hockey for the Sun Devils.

Nathan Brown

Left winger Nathan Brown, another Winnipegger, could see his name called in later rounds as the 224th-ranked North American skater.

The 20-year-old played for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks last season and had 39 points in 55 games.

Brown signed an amateur tryout with the AHL’s Belleville Senators in April and racked up seven penalty minutes – including a fighting major – in the lone game he played.

He’s committed to playing for the St. Cloud State Huskies in Minnesota this fall.

Manitobans Drafted in Recent Years

2025

Seven Manitobans were picked in last summer’s draft including West St. Paul’s Carter Bear who went 13th overall to Detroit, and Winnipeg’s Peyton Kettle who was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round.

2024

Brandon’s Clarke Caswell was the only player from the province whose name was called at the 2024 draft. The left winger was picked by the Seattle Kraken in the fifth round.

2023

Goalie Carson Bjarnason was among the three Manitobans drafted in 2023. The Carberry native went 51st overall to the Philadelphia Flyers.

2022

2022 was a banner year for Manitoba hockey, with three players going in the first round led by Strathclair’s Conor Geekie, Dominion City’s Denton Mateychuk, and St. Adolphe’s Owen Pickering. Five other players were drafted in subsequent rounds.

2021

Four Manitobans were picked in the 2021 draft, highlighted by Winnipeg defenseman Carson Lambos who went 26th overall to the Minnesota Wild.

The NHL Draft will be held on June 26 and 27 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the first overall pick and the Winnipeg Jets will select eighth.