Eight 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Eligible For The Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game In Peterborough

The inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game took place in Brantford last month where around 200 NHL scouts were in attendance to watch the top upcoming draft-eligible prospects. It was an absolute success and the league is ready for round two.

With a game full of talent and players looking to impress NHL teams, the game needed overtime to settle the score. Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone snuck his shot fivehole on Owen Sound goaltender Matthew Koprowski to give Team East the victory. 

We wrote an article talking about the seven top performers from that game, which included Brantford's very own Jake O'Brien, who has started to heat up as of late. 

The OHL has wasted zero time finding and naming their host for the 2026 event.

On Wednesday, the league announced that next year's Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game will be held in Peterborough on Jan. 14, 2026. 

“I’ve heard so much positive feedback from folks across the league, colleagues with the National Hockey League, our great fans, and the players themselves on this exciting event,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford via the league's announcement. 

The event will take place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, which is one of the most unique barns in Ontario. The PMC is known for its oddly rounded corners. 

Peterborough is one of the most historic OHL franchises. It has won 10 championships, including one in 2023. The franchise has produced legendary NHL players like Steve Yzerman, Chris Pronger, Bob Gainey, Eric, and Jordan Staal. 

As we look into the future, the 2026 NHL draft class has some promising talent to look forward to watching next season, led by 2024 first-overall pick Ethan Belchetz.

Belchetz has been a treat to watch this season in Windsor, posting 16 goals and 35 points in 43 games. He's embraced his physical side, getting involved in two fights and being kicked out of two games this season — one for a slew foot and the other for a check to the head.  

Peterborough should have their very own Colin Fitzgerald represented at the event. The third overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft has 12 goals and 28 points in 47 games in his rookie campaign. 

Potential 2026 first-rounder Braidy Wassilyn has looked extremely good in Niagara, although he along with his IceDogs team is in a rough slump at the moment. 

The fourth overall pick from the 2024 OHL Priority Selection leads all rookies in assists with 28 and has been a reliable offensive player for Niagara inside their top-six forward corps. 

Owen Sound Attack's rookie sensation and leading goal-scorer amongst OHL rookies, Pierce Mbuyi, certainly has put himself on NHL scouts' radars with his impressive 23 goals in 49 games. 

The Sarnia Sting potentially will have three players at next year's event. Second-overall pick Alessandro Di Iorio is eighth in points (31) among rookies. In seventh place is his teammate Beckham Edwards (33 points), whose 19 goals are second-most amongst 2008-born players.

The third Sting member is assistant captain Ryan Brown, who has a late 2007 birthday making him not draft-eligible until 2026. 

Lastly, the top 2026 NHL draft-eligible defenseman in the OHL at the moment is Soo Greyhounds' Chase Reid. 

Reid is committed to Michigan State University and signed with the Greyhounds once the NCAA rule change came into effect. Since coming over, he's been a point-per-game player on the blueline recording 28 points in 27 games. He too has a late 2007 birthday that gives NHL scouts another year to evaluate him.