Latvian Hockey Prospects Shine in NHL Draft Forecast
Helsinki, Finland - Two 17-year-old Latvian players are generating important buzz among National Hockey League (NHL) scouts, earning spots within the top 50 of “The Athletic’s” preliminary 2026 NHL draft rankings, published November 5th. The recognition highlights a growing wave of talent emerging from Latvia and underscores the country’s increasing presence in the world of professional hockey.
The inclusion of Albert Schmidt and Oliver Mūrnieks in the forecast, compiled by columnist Scott Wheeler, signals their potential too become key contributors at the NHL level.For both young athletes,this ranking represents a crucial step toward realizing their professional aspirations,perhaps impacting team strategies and future draft selections. The rankings are preliminary, meaning player performance throughout the next season will heavily influence their final draft position.
defender Albert Schmidt currently plays for Jukurit in the Finnish Ice Hockey League (liiga), where he has already made a notable impact. In 19 games this season, Schmidt has recorded ten points (6 goals and 4 assists). Wheeler’s assessment praises Schmidt’s offensive capabilities and fearless play against more experienced opponents. “Šmits is a defenseman from Latvia who is averaging 19 minutes this season. With Jukurit juniors, he has shown skill every time I’ve watched games, showing notable skill for his size and playing in the offensive zone when needed. He has great hands, keeps the puck through the rim, keeps it, often with the stick in one hand. Now he plays with confidence on defense and plays with courage also against men, defending with positive results.”
Forward Oliver Mūrnieks, playing for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), also earned a high ranking at 41st.Mūrnieks has accumulated ten points (1 goal and 9 assists) in 15 matches.Wheeler describes him as a versatile centre with a strong two-way game. “He’s strong on the faceoff, a great player on both ends of the court and in the small, follows and wins the puck for his age, plays with high accuracy. His skating is average, but his skill level is not dynamic, but he has some skills that make him a promising NHL player. He can be looked at as a potential third-shift center in the future.”
