Rinkside Roundup: Ryan Roobroeck cementing status as top 2026 Draft prospect

‘Tis the season of international tournaments. The 2025 World Junior Championship is coming up, which naturally means that the prospects who were cut or left out have points to prove. We have such a case in Gracyn Sawchyn, who continues to be one of the best prospects in the WHL. 

The World Junior A Challenge also recently came to an end, allowing some more obscure names to shine — Benjamin Kevan is in that boat. Finally, some big bodies kept the goal light warm this week — from Kieron Walton and Ryan Roobroeck in the OHL, to Florian Xhekaj in his rookie AHL campaign.

We’ll start with Roobroeck’s phenomenal game against North Bay in this week’s Roundup.

Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs (2026 NHL Draft)

Season stats: 24G, 23A, 47PTS 

Last Week Stats: 4G, 5A, 9PTS

A three-goal, two-assist performance against North Bay allows Ryan Roobroeck to land comfortably in this week’s shortlist of top performers. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound centre played in every situation for the Niagara IceDogs, and each of his points were scored in different on-ice scenarios. 

His first assist of the night came at 4-on-4, his second came on a 4-on-3 power play, and then his subsequent three goals came at even-strength, 5-on-4, and shorthanded, respectively. Two of his goals came off nearly identical releases — he loaded his inside leg, dragged the puck in ever-so-slightly, and beat the netminder far side with a short follow-through. On the penalty kill, however, he deked the lights out of the netminder after earning a breakaway with a solid defensive zone read.

It’s early, but Roobroeck’s combination of size, skill and versatility looks top-10-worthy for next year. His skating is mechanically flawed, but that’s nothing new for bigger bodies at a young age. The London native will likely dominate his competition in his draft season.

Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (Florida Panthers)

Season stats: 18G, 24A, 42PTS 

Last Week Stats: 4G, 4A, 8PTS

With two goals and two assists in consecutive matches over the weekend, Gracyn Sawchyn lands comfortably among this week’s top performers. Those two performances also earned the Florida Panthers’ second-rounder in 2023 the title of WHL player of the week.

Sawchyn is absolutely dominant at this level. EliteProspects Director of North American Scouting Mitch Brown outlined that in a game from November that could’ve applied just as well to this weekend’s back-to-back: 

“The skill's sublime. Great details: At angles, inside weight shifts/crossovers, built-in changes of pace, and rapid-fire fakes. Fakes with his stick, puck positioning, head, shoulders, and feet -- it's pretty special. Very dynamic in transition and very physical. He skates through the hands, throws hits, establishes contact before touching the puck, and never stops moving his feet inside contact.”

As he stands, Sawchyn’s on-puck creativity, high-end motor and detailed offensive approach could combine to make him a phenomenal NHLer — and soon, at that. He’ll need to show some more creative restraint and adapt his play selection to NHL defenders, but if he does, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Florian Xhekaj, C/LW, Laval Rocket (Montréal Canadiens)

Season stats: 6G, 4A, 10PTS 

Last Week Stats: 3G, 2A, 5PTS

Before the Laval Rocket’s Sunday afternoon game against the Bridgeport Islanders, Florian Xhekaj had been pretty underwhelming offensively in his rookie AHL season, with only three goals and two assists in 25 games to that point.

Xhekaj then proceeded to double his season totals in one game, scoring a hat-trick and adding two assists in a 6-2 win.

All three of Xhekaj’s goals in this game came off of some form of off-puck, net-front work. On the first, he hovered from the wall to the paint on a fluttering point shot, lifting the Islanders defender’s stick and whacking the puck past their netminder in one motion. On the second, he was the net-front screen on a half-wall slapper, which deflected off his leg. On the third, he drove the net as Luke Tuch intentionally shot for a rebound and tapped the puck into a gaping cage.

Though Xhekaj’s on-puck skill can be quite limited, his net-front skill is becoming a specialty. He doesn’t always get rewarded with points, but he consistently creates havoc and recycles rebounds. He’ll need to keep refining his game, but Xhekaj has the frame, net-front savvy and violent disposition to play an impactful support role.

Benjamin Kevan, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers (2025 NHL Draft)

Season stats: 6G, 10A, 16PTS 

Last Week Stats: 6G, 2A, 8PTS

When Benjamin Kevan met up with the NTDP to compete in CHL-USA Prospects Challenge in late November, his performances fell short. The World Junior A Challenge was a great opportunity to make up for lost ground — and boy did he ever. Kevan’s six goals in five games were only second to Swedish phenom Ivar Stenberg at this tournament, and he played a major part in USA’s gold-medal finish at the event.

The 6-foot, 183-pound winger has continued to experiment with his tools and figure out what works on the fly. With an increasingly creative array of passes, dekes and releases, Kevan punishes gaps and pushes the limits of his skill set, keeping what works and abandoning what doesn’t.

With raw but skillful forwards, experimentation is key — Kevan’s constant willingness to push his own limits is a great indicator that he’ll figure it out as he climbs the ranks. As he figures out how to better use his body to create separation and where to position himself in all three zones, his skill will continue to be tested in less comfortable scenarios, and his experimental approach will benefit even further from that.

Kieron Walton, LW, Sudbury Wolves (Winnipeg Jets)

Season stats: 18G, 33A, 51PTS 

Last Week Stats: 2G, 6A, 8PTS

On the subject of massive and skillful OHL centres, let’s give Kieron Walton some love. The towering 6-foot-6, 216-pound pivot was picked in the sixth round by the Winnipeg Jets last season after putting up 43 points in 65 games for the Sudbury Wolves.

This year, Walton has found another level — especially as of late. The centre is currently on a 12-game point streak, during which he has earned 30 points. 

Walton’s consistent output this season can be explained by his already-impressive playmaking skill having reached new heights. He blends quick reads and pre-planning with a wide arsenal of passes to create and exploit seams. He sets his passes up with small angle changes, quick handling moves and look-offs, stringing together seam plays in ways rarely seen from hulking young forwards.

So far, Walton has been a phenomenal find for Winnipeg in the sixth round. His skating is a major hurdle, but if he overcomes it, he’ll be an incredibly unique forward with high-end creative playmaking value.