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Chase Reids Meteoric Rise Positions Him as Top 2026 NHL Draft Prospect
From a seventh‑round pick to the draft’s most coveted talent, 19‑year‑old Michigan defenseman Chase Reid is poised to become the NHL’s most talked‑about prospect. Draft‑eligible for the first time this season, the former Bismarck Bobcats player now sits in the top five of NHL Central Scouting’s final North American rankings and is widely described as the best defensive prospect in the class.
Reid’s meteoric ascent began in 2023 when the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected him with the 125th‑overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Priority Selection Draft. GM Kyle Raftis told reporters, “We saw potential in a 16‑year‑old, but we could not have imagined how quickly he would develop.” After a brief stint with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League, Reid was released and signed with the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats. In December 2024, the Greyhounds faced a sudden need for defense when Andrew Gibson was called up to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. Reid was called on a short‑term basis, and his minutes grew in a matter of games. “His first game was 12 minutes, the second 18, and then the minutes just took off,” Raftis recalled.
The player’s transformation was visible on the ice. Raftis quoted, “The summer before he jumped on board with us, I think his skating really took a step. He was always a very smart player, always had great offensive instincts, and he started to grow … he was about six feet when we drafted him, and he ended up closer to six‑foot‑two when he arrived.” Those physical gains, combined with a sharpened sense of the game, helped Reid dominate the 2024‑25 OHL season. He posted 40 points in 39 games, led all OHL rookies with 33 assists, and earned a spot on the First All‑Rookie Team. He also emerged as a core member of the Greyhounds’ leadership group and doubled his goal total from the previous year.
Internationally, Reid represented Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championship, recording four points in five games. His on‑ice evolution earned him recognition as one of the league’s top defensive defensemen in an OHL coaches poll. Raftis highlighted the balance Reid brings: “He didn’t want to be just a one‑dimensional point‑producer or a power‑play guy. He’s a player who can generate offense while staying responsible defensively.”
The buzz around Reid has grown as NHL scouts have taken notice. Even though the Greyhounds drafted four players in the 2025 NHL Draft, every scouting call concluded with a question about Reid’s projected draft position. The conversation has intensified as Reid moved up the Central Scouting list, now ranked second among North American skaters. As he climbs the rankings, interest has intensified. The Greyhounds confirmed that Reid will spend the 2026‑27 season at Michigan State University, a decision that further solidifies his status as a top prospect. Raftis compared him to current Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski and former NHL veteran John Carlson, citing his skating, puck‑moving ability, and defensive acumen.
With the draft slated for June 26‑27, Reid’s name is expected to surface early on Friday night. “He’s very confident, but it’s more so like, ‘Hey, you guys believed in me, and I’m gonna prove you guys right.’” the GM said. From a seventh‑round OHL pick to a top‑five NHL draft prospect, Reid’s journey underscores how rapid development and consistent performance can reshape a player’s trajectory. As teams line up for the first night of selections, all eyes will be on whether his name falls where the hype suggests.
Reid’s meteoric ascent began in 2023 when the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected him with the 125th‑overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Priority Selection Draft. GM Kyle Raftis told reporters, “We saw potential in a 16‑year‑old, but we could not have imagined how quickly he would develop.” After a brief stint with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League, Reid was released and signed with the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats. In December 2024, the Greyhounds faced a sudden need for defense when Andrew Gibson was called up to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. Reid was called on a short‑term basis, and his minutes grew in a matter of games. “His first game was 12 minutes, the second 18, and then the minutes just took off,” Raftis recalled.
The player’s transformation was visible on the ice. Raftis quoted, “The summer before he jumped on board with us, I think his skating really took a step. He was always a very smart player, always had great offensive instincts, and he started to grow … he was about six feet when we drafted him, and he ended up closer to six‑foot‑two when he arrived.” Those physical gains, combined with a sharpened sense of the game, helped Reid dominate the 2024‑25 OHL season. He posted 40 points in 39 games, led all OHL rookies with 33 assists, and earned a spot on the First All‑Rookie Team. He also emerged as a core member of the Greyhounds’ leadership group and doubled his goal total from the previous year.
Internationally, Reid represented Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championship, recording four points in five games. His on‑ice evolution earned him recognition as one of the league’s top defensive defensemen in an OHL coaches poll. Raftis highlighted the balance Reid brings: “He didn’t want to be just a one‑dimensional point‑producer or a power‑play guy. He’s a player who can generate offense while staying responsible defensively.”
The buzz around Reid has grown as NHL scouts have taken notice. Even though the Greyhounds drafted four players in the 2025 NHL Draft, every scouting call concluded with a question about Reid’s projected draft position. The conversation has intensified as Reid moved up the Central Scouting list, now ranked second among North American skaters. As he climbs the rankings, interest has intensified. The Greyhounds confirmed that Reid will spend the 2026‑27 season at Michigan State University, a decision that further solidifies his status as a top prospect. Raftis compared him to current Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski and former NHL veteran John Carlson, citing his skating, puck‑moving ability, and defensive acumen.
With the draft slated for June 26‑27, Reid’s name is expected to surface early on Friday night. “He’s very confident, but it’s more so like, ‘Hey, you guys believed in me, and I’m gonna prove you guys right.’” the GM said. From a seventh‑round OHL pick to a top‑five NHL draft prospect, Reid’s journey underscores how rapid development and consistent performance can reshape a player’s trajectory. As teams line up for the first night of selections, all eyes will be on whether his name falls where the hype suggests.
