Another impressive crop of Buffalo Boys

It likely won’t take long for a Manitoban to hear his name called in the upcoming NHL Draft.

But Carson Carels, the pride of Cypress River who is expected to go early in the first round, won’t be the only local product picked when the annual showcase of teenage hockey talent begins on June 26 and concludes a day later.

Five Manitoba-born players cracked the final rankings recently released by NHL Central Scouting, further evidence the province continues to produce its share of promising puck prospects.

Seven Buffalo Boys were selected in last year’s draft — one shy of the all-time record of eight set in 2017, 2018 and 2022. That strong showing came on the heels of a surprisingly lean 2024 draft, when just one Manitoban was selected, and not until the fifth round.

While Manitoba is unlikely to set a new record this year, the Class of 2026 is shaping up to be another impressive group.

So who are these kids? Glad you asked.

 

D CARSON CARELS

Hometown: Cypress River

NHL Central Scouting ranking (among North American skaters): 3

2025-26 season: Prince George Cougars (WHL); 73 points (20G, 53A) in 58 regular-season games; 10 points (1G, 9A) in 10 playoff games.

Size: 6-2, 198 pounds

The skinny: Carels, who will turn 18 just three days before the draft, has the chance to be the highest drafted Manitoban since Winnipeggers Nolan Patrick (second) and Cody Glass (sixth) were selected by Philadelphia and Vegas, respectively, in 2017.

There have been some mocks this spring which have him going as high as second-overall to San Jose, but the most likely range is either four, five or six to one of the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers or Calgary Flames.

Unfortunately for the Winnipeg Jets, who will select eighth barring a trade, that means he will likely be gone. What a fun story that would be.

Carels brings plenty of tools to the table, including a potent mix of offensive flair and defensive snarl. He’s been compared to Ottawa’s Jake Sanderson — a player he’s studied closely and tried to model his game after.

The youngest player from Canada’s world juniors team is committed to go to the University of North Dakota this fall, unless the team that selects him decides he’s ready to make the immediate jump to the NHL.

 

D BREK LISKE

Hometown: Beausejour

NHL Central Scouting ranking (among North American skaters): 44

2025-26 season: Everett Silvertips (WHL); 24 points (7G, 17A) in 52 regular-season games; 17 points (4G, 13A) in 18 playoff games.

Size: 6-2, 190 pounds

The skinny: There’s no question his stock rose significantly with a tremendous WHL playoff run, which included helping guide his team to the Memorial Cup where they finished runner-up to the Kitchener Rangers.

Liske, 18, ticks off plenty of boxes for the modern-day defenceman: He’s got good size and great mobility and isn’t afraid to jump in the rush or even lead the attack. He was often paired this season with Landon DuPont, who many project as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 draft.

A selection in the second or third round is expected.

 

RW ZACHARY LANSARD

Hometown: Ste. Anne

NHL Central Scouting ranking (among North American skaters): 70

2025-26 season: Regina Pats (WHL); 56 points (24G, 32A) in 68 regular-season games; three points (3G, 0A) in five playoff games.

Size: 6-0, 173 pounds

The skinny: The 17-year-old former Rink Academy standout had a massive jump in production after posting just 19 points (7G, 12A) as a WHL rookie. That led to a spot on Team Canada for the U18 World Championship and certainly has him on an upward trend.

Lansard has been described by scouts as a consistently hard-working, high-effort player who has turned into an elite skater. He projects as a potential middle-six, strong two-way forward in the professional ranks.

It’s possible he could go as early as the second round or as late as the fourth round.

 

D JONAS WOO

Hometown: Winnipeg

NHL Central Scouting ranking (among North American skaters): 177

2025-26 season: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL); 86 points (29G, 57A) in 56 regular season games; 17 points (8G, 9A) in 13 playoff games.

Size: 5-9, 175 pounds

The skinny: The 19-year-old was passed over during last year’s draft, but that isn’t likely to happen again this time around after a massive season in which he led all WHL defencemen in scoring and finished tied for 10th overall.

His older brother, Jett, was picked by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the 2018 draft but has yet to make his NHL debut, spending his first six pro seasons at the AHL level.

Woo’s size is obviously held against him and the reason he might not go until one of the later rounds. But we’ve seen a rise of smaller, mobile blue-liners make their mark in the big leagues as the game gets faster than ever.

He’s the type of player that is worth taking a gamble on. Woo has committed to Arizona State University starting this fall.

LW NATHAN BROWN

Hometown: Winnipeg

NHL Central Scouting ranking (among North American skaters): 224

2025-26 season: Portland Winterhawks (WHL); 39 points (16G, 23A) in 55 regular season games; one point (1G, 0A) in four playoff games.

Size: 6-1, 163 pounds

The skinny: He is what is commonly referred to as a “late bloomer.”

Brown spent the 2023-24 season with the Niverville Nighthawks of the MJHL, moved up to the Brooks Bandits of the BCHL the following year and now just had his rookie campaign in the WHL.

Brown brings plenty of grit, as evident by his 115 penalty minutes this year during the regular season and playoffs. He even made his pro debut this past spring, signing an amateur tryout with the Belleville Senators of the AHL after his junior season wrapped up and getting in one game.

The 20-year-old has been overlooked in two drafts and may be a longshot to get picked this time around. A more likely scenario could see a team simply sign him as a free agent. He is committed to attend St. Cloud State University this coming fall.

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