Carson Carels, a top NHL draft prospect, hopes to be selected by a Canadian team to help bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada. The 17-year-old defenceman is projected to be drafted in the top-10 of the 2026 NHL Draft.
As of early Tuesday, Carels scored 20 goals and 73 points in his second WHL season with the Kelowna Rockets. He is known for his strong skating ability and plays as a two-way defender.
Carels expressed his aspirations clearly: “You want to bring Canadian hockey back and bring a Stanley Cup back to your country.” He further stated, “A lot of people have asked me what team or who I would want to go to; I think any Canadian team is definitely at the top of the list.”
Growing up in Cypress Hill, Manitoba, he was a fan of the Washington Capitals. His performance this season has drawn attention from several Canadian teams, including the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets.
During his draft year with the Prince George Cougars, he scored 20 goals and 53 assists for 73 points in just 58 games. His impressive stats include a plus/minus rating of +23.
Within hours of being named Captain of Team West at the 2026 WHL Top Prospects game, analysts projected him as high as second overall in the upcoming draft.
Despite various opinions on his potential landing spots, one thing is clear: Carels aims to make an impact in Canadian hockey. The next NHL Draft will reveal if his dreams align with reality.