Few players stood out more at training camp this past year than Cootes. The 2025 first-round pick won a spot on the opening night roster not just for his performance in Penticton, but also throughout the pre-season. On top of his impressive play on the ice, Cootes' maturity was on full display off the ice as he received rave reviews from teammates during his stint in the NHL.

The NHL draft is a few weeks in the rear-view mirror, but the hype machine surrounding No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna and the Toronto Maple Leafs is still kicking into high gear.

McKenna has thrown out the first ball at a Toronto Blue Jays game, and he quickly signed his first NHL contract and participated in his first NHL development camp. 

In the run up to the 2025 NHL draft, much was made about the “farm strength” that pushed Brady Martin’s physical development ahead of many of his peers.

Carson Carels is cut from a similar cloth, and he has been bulking up at warp speed as his draft day approaches. To start the 2025-26 season, the Prince George Cougars listed the 17-year-old at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. By Christmastime, he was tipping the scales at 194 when he donned the maple leaf as Canada’s youngest player at the world juniors. “He’s turning into a man,” said Cougars coach-GM Mark Lamb. “He can skate. He can shoot. And playing in the world juniors is a big step. There’s a pecking order there. He was fine there, too.”

With the 22nd overall selection in the 2026 NHL draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Liam Ruck. Then, 17 picks later, the Penguins ensured that Liam would be reunited with his twin brother, Markus, as the 39th pick saw them select Markus Ruck. The twins wanted to be together, and the Penguins granted their wish.

Within family circles of all shapes and sizes, there exists one truism: if and when the opportunity arises to take a playful swipe at a sibling, one must take it. Whether that’s by an older sibling, younger sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling, it doesn’t matter. The rules of the jungle simply state that one must deliver the burn – or risk being burnt.

The 2026 NHL Draft is another day closer, meaning it's time to take a look at another prospect who could be available when the Pittsburgh Penguins are on the clock with the No. 22 pick. 

Today's prospect profile focuses on the game of J.P. Hurlbert, with whom the Penguins are very familiar, as he was on the same team as defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke this past season. 

KELOWNA, B.C.- There are many ways to build a successful CHL team. 

While some focus on the draft-and-develop method, others use their picks to acquire some of their league's top talent via trades. One method that has worked well this year for the WHL's Everett Silvertips is the CHL import draft, which allowed them to add Matias Vanhanen to their lineup.

Parker Alcos is looking to end his CHL career with a Memorial Cup championship. The Vancouver Canucks prospect is currently playing for the Kelowna Rockets, who are hosting the historic tournament. As for next season, Alcos has already committed to the NCAA, where he will be attending Quinnipiac University. 

Alcos is one of a handful of Vancouver's prospects headed to the NCAA next season. When asked by The Hockey News about the decision, the 19-year-old said, "I just think it's going to be a good way to develop my game overall and help me switch over to pro just that much easier." Quinnipiac University is expected to have a strong roster in 2026-27, with multiple NHL-drafted players already committed to the program. 

The player who describes his style as "annoying" and "tenacious" had a reddish-colored welt the size of a quarter planted underneath his left eye as he spoke to reporters Wednesday night.

It's unclear how Zach Benson got the mark. Or even when it occurred.

There are countless stories of second-generation hockey players following in their parents' footsteps, but Tyus Sparks has a different origin. 

Yes, he comes from an athletic background, but his dad, Nate Sparks, was a college football quarterback at Boise State who played pro for the CFL's B.C. Lions. The Sparks family resides in Idaho, so Tyus' journey is one of the most unique in the 2026 NHL draft class, where he is projected to go top-75 this summer.

For those thinking the week-long layoff would make the Carolina Hurricanes rusty in Game 1 of their series against the Philadelphia Flyers, well, think again.

The Hurricanes collected 10 of the game’s first 11 shots and built an early 2-0 lead Saturday night as they coasted to a 3-0 win over the turnover-plagued Flyers at the Lenovo Center.