Ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, read about defenseman Chase Reid and why he's likely to be picked very early in the draft
There are three weeks remaining before the 2026 NHL Draft begins at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, which will see the newest batch of young talent begin the next phase of their playing careers.
Starting with the first round on June 26, there are multiple top OHL prospects projected to be part of the first 32 picks made in this year’s draft. Among them is Soo Greyhounds defensemen Chase Reid.
The 18-year-old Michigan native’s first season with the Greyhounds was in 2024/25, where it didn’t take long to make his presence known, scoring 33 assists and 40 points in 39 games after joining the team mid-season.
The next season, Reid was named alternate captain and his offensive production didn’t stop, scoring 18 goals and 30 assists. Despite only playing 45 games due to injury, he still finished the regular season with the fifth most goals and assists among defensemen.
He also got substantial time on special teams and made good use of it, scoring 20 of his points on the power play, along with scoring two of his goals shorthanded.
That season he also got to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championship, scoring four points in five games, cementing himself as a high-level prospect.
With his strong skills at both offense and defense, Chase has been projected as a top 10 pick in this year’s draft and whichever team selects him is going to get a solid piece for their blueline.
The only questions are when will he see ice time in the NHL and what is his ceiling?
Reid has committed to playing for Michigan State for the 2026/27 season with so at minimum it will be a year before he plays for his NHL club.
As for the ceiling, it will depend on how he performs against other men in the NCAA. The jump from junior hockey is significant and his play in his first year of college may dictate where he fits on a future NHL lineup.
Regardless, it will be a surprise if Reid isn’t somewhere on an NHL lineup in the future because right now, he’s looking like he will become a well-known name in due time.