Rebels select 10 players at 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

“As you see, nowadays the size is not such a huge thing as it was because the games changed a bit, but you still need a balance of size,” he said. “You can’t go too small or too big, and I think we did that this year, adding some real good speed but also some lengthy guys near the end too.”

Overall, Novakoski said they’re very happy with the quality players they were able to get.

“I think where we had the Americans ranked was a lot higher than where we got them to,” he said. “Word has spread about Red Deer and how good a place it is to play, so that certainly helped too.”

This year marked the first time American-born players could be taken in the WHL Prospects Draft after the league abolished the U.S. Priority Draft and combined the two.

Director of U.S. Scouting Chase Fuchs said it made it more interesting, adventurous, and fun trying to figure out where players were going to be selected.

“Obviously, there’s still the national team risk in trying to figure out who’s going to go where, so trying to figure out where you’re going to take a little bit of risk in having to recruit kids and whatnot,” he said. “The four U.S. players we took are good players, and we’re excited to have them.”

The following players were selected by the Rebels:

Round one, 17th overall: Danny Ramazanov, forward, 5’9, 150 pounds from Saskatoon (NAX U15 Prep)

Novakoski said Ramazanov is a very skilled, solid, and exciting player.

“He can score, and score highlight reel goals, but also is able to make plays at very high speeds and make everyone around him better,” Novakoski said.

Round three, 48th overall: Keyn Lindberg, defenceman, 5’10, 160 pounds from Calgary (Edge School U15 Prep)

Novakoski said Lindberg is one of the hardest hitters that was available this year.

“He’s got good puck skills, and we anticipate some growth in his game as well because his dad’s a pretty big man,” Novakoski said. “

Round four, 71st overall: Connor Baines, forward, 6’0, 160 pounds from Maple Ridge, B.C. (Yale Academy U15 Prep)

“He was on a really good team with [Parker] McMillan and others,” Fuchs said. “Baines can flat out fly, so we’re pretty excited to get where we did.”

Round four, 72nd overall: Parker Bleich, defenceman, 6’0, 165 pounds from Nipawin, Sask. (North East Wolfpack U15 AA)

Novakoski called Bleich a good farm boy who plays the role of a stay-at-home defenceman.

“Takes care of his own end, makes a good first pass, not easy to play against, but very responsible defensively,” he said. “Do we think he’ll grow another inch or two? For sure, so I think he’s going to be a good, solid player for a long time for the Rebels.”

Round five, 98th overall: Charlie Pohl, forward, 6’0, 170 pounds from Woodbury, Minnesota (Woodbury Bantam AA)

Fuchs said Pohl may be big in stature, but he has a ton of skill

“You don’t get 130 points in bantam by accident. He’s a very talented player with a big body who brings a physical element too. We’re excited for him.”

Round six, 121st overall: Kash Andersen, goalie, 6’1, 155 pounds from Wainwright (NAX U15 Prep)

Novakoski explained that Andersen’s game really took off from the start of the season.

“In the playoffs, a lot of times with his team he didn’t see a lot of rubber, but towards the end of the year he started to see a lot more and he responded very well,” Novakoski said. “A lot of games he didn’t hold them in it, but he gave them a chance to win every night.”

Round six, 127th overall: Madden Atkinson, defenceman, 6’1, 165 pounds from Swan River, Man. (Parkland Rangers U15 AAA)

Novakoski said Atkinson is a late bloomer, but said he’s a tall kid who’s growing into his body.

“He’s a stay-at-home guy who takes care of his own end. Limited in offensive ability, but we think we’ve got that in Lindberg, so we’re happy to get him there.”

Round seven, 146th overall: Blake Schmitt, forward, 6’3, 165 pounds from Edina, Minnesota (Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA)

“As Jamie said, we took some length in the Schmitt kid, who’s 6’3, 6’4,” Fuchs said.

Round seven, 144th overall: Carter Crowley, forward, 5’6, 125 pounds from Faribault, Minnesota (Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA)

Round seven, 147th overall: Brando Duncan, forward, 5’11, 160 pounds from Irving, Texas (Dallas Stars Elite U14 AAA)

Fuchs explained that with a little bit more physical development, Crowley and Duncan will be really great players.

“They both do some different things… Everybody compliments each other in a certain way,” Fuchs said.

by Ian Gustafson

Rebels select 10 players at 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

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