A deep dive into the Montréal Canadiens' WHL prospect pool.
Welcome to this edition of the 2026 WHL Prospect Pools. Throughout the 2026 off-season, we will be looking at current or recently graduated WHLers who have been drafted or signed by NHL clubs. Today's organization is the Montréal Canadiens.
Last season, four prospects who are currently in Montréal's system played in the WHL. Two were drafted in 2025, while the others heard their names called this past June. Here is a look at the four prospects.
The most notable WHLer in the Canadiens system is defenceman Bryce Pickford. The 20-year-old scored 45 goals during the 2025-26 campaign and was named WHL Player of the Year. Pickford captained the Medicine Hat Tigers to a spot in the East Final this season and is expected to make the jump to the AHL next year.
The other prospect drafted in 2025 was center Hayden Paupanekis. The 19-year-old played this season with the Kelowna Rockets, where he posted 37 points in 57 games. Paupanekis has already committed to the NCAA and will be joining St. Cloud State University for the 2025-26 campaign.
As for this year's draft, the first WHLer selected by Montréal was defenceman Timofei Runtso. The 19-year-old played last season with the Victoria Royals, where he recorded 44 points in 68 games. Runtso will be headed to the NCAA next year to join Miami University.
Timofei Runtso of the Victoria Royals (Photo Credit: Victoria Royals/WHL)The final prospect drafted in 2026 was defenceman Brayden Klimpke. The 18-year-old played last season with the Saskatoon Blades, where he recorded 46 points in 68 games. Klimpke has committed to the University of North Dakota, but not until the 2027-28 season.
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