Mathis Preston’s draft year was not a straight line.

Health issues, a significant roster turnover in Spokane, and a midseason trade combined to derail what had once looked like a clear upward trajectory. The production remained solid, but consistency proved difficult to find, and for stretches, so did momentum.

But if the season felt uneven, it did not end that way.

Three weeks removed from the U-18 World Championship, Preston’s performance on the international stage offered a timely reminder of his upside. With 6 points in 5 games, and a more complete game than he showed during parts of the WHL season, he finished his draft year on a strong note and quietly worked his way back into the first-round conversation.

“I think there were a lot of ups and downs this year,” Preston said. “Obviously with the trade and then getting hurt right away, it was challenging. But I think a little adversity never hurts. I’ve always had confidence in myself and my game, so I knew this was a good opportunity for me to kind of showcase myself and just get back to playing my game again.”