Dynamic winger Dima Zhilkin joins a powerhouse Wolverines roster, pairing his gritty scoring touch with elite competition as he climbs the ranks toward a premier professional debut.
One of the top names eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft is headed to the University of Michigan.
Dima Zhilkin, a 17-year-old Toronto native and projected top-10 pick for the 2027 draft, will join a loaded Wolverines program that already features consensus top prospect Landon Dupont.
Zhilkin is the younger brother of Winnipeg Jets prospect Danny Zhilkin, who was selected in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft. However, Dima is already establishing himself as a potential higher selection than his older brother, with his draft trajectory continuing to rise after two impressive seasons in the OHL.
The right winger made an immediate impact with the Saginaw Spirit, recording nearly a point per game during his rookie season before taking a significant offensive leap in 2025-26.
In 59 games, Zhilkin scored 36 goals and added 39 assists for 75 points while also racking up 100 penalty minutes, showcasing a combination of offensive ability and physicality.
His production and aggressive style have quickly made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the OHL and a potential top selection in 2027.
Zhilkin will remain in the state of Michigan but take his game to a significantly different level of competition. The NCAA will provide him with the opportunity to compete against older, bigger and more experienced players while doing so during his draft year.
If Zhilkin can establish himself as an elite player against NCAA competition, he could put himself in position to climb even higher than his current top-10 projection and potentially challenge for a spot near the top of the 2027 NHL Draft.
