2. Tobias Trejbal (Youngstown, USHL)
Another Czech native goalie who has the potential to be picked in the first couple of rounds of the 2026 draft this upcoming weekend is Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Tobias Trejbal. He enjoyed an outstanding first season playing in the USHL.
Trejbal won the USHL Goalie of the Year Award after registering a solid 30-9-3 record, with a .916 save percentage, three shutouts, and a 2.12 goals against average. He showed off his impressive reactions, great size at 6-foot-4, and his strong fundamentals in the crease in his first season playing for the Phantoms in the USHL this past year.
His recovery time and composure in the crease give him the ability to challenge opposing shooters in the zone regardless of which way the puck is moving.
There's a good chance that Trejbal could challenge Brady Knowling to be the first goalie selected in the 2026 draft, maybe going as early as one of the first picks in the second round this upcoming weekend.
1. Brady Knowling (USA 18-U)
Knowling is widely considered to be the top North American goalie on draft boards going into the 2026 draft later this week. The 6-foot-5 and 205-pound Ontario native goalie has been playing for the USA Hockey development program in this past year.
In 33 games played in the U18 US program this past season, Knowling registered a respectable 15-12-0 record, 3.56 goals against average, and an .880 save percentage. We don't know yet where Knowling will be playing beyond this season. His rights are owned by separate teams in the United States and Canada, and he's committed to play for Boston University for the 2027-28 season.
Between his great size, athleticism, and strong fundamentals, Knowling enters draft weekend as one of the favorites to be the first goalie selected in the 2026 draft. He's got quick reactions, consistent rebound control, and moves really well laterally in the crease.
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