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NHL Central Scouting lists 2 UNH commitments
The The NHL’s central scouting service:
“ranks prospects for the NHL Entry Draft at specific times during the hockey season. Players are ranked based on how well they will translate to the professional game in the National Hockey League”
Early in the NHL season, Central Scouting identifies several hundred prospects who could potentially be taken in the NHL Entry Draft when the season ends. The Preliminary 2025-26 player list to watch for the 2026 draft was announced on October 20. Nearly 500 North American and European players were categorized as prospects for the first round of the draft (‘A’ players), 2nd/3rd rounds (‘B’), 4th/5th rounds (‘C’) or 6th/7th rounds (‘W’).
Two players committed to UNH men’s hockey in the coming seasons – Niko Tournas And Pavel Martinu – earned a ‘C’ rating from NHL Central Scouting. Both are considered candidates for selection in the 4th or 5th round of the 2026 draft.
Niko Tournas
“There’s no doubt that Tournas can shoot the puck and score, but what this kid has done in a very short time in Moncton is truly outstanding. He’s lost almost 10 pounds and has worked incredibly hard on his skating, which could very well get him drafted for the 2006 NHL.” Neutral Zone NHL Scouting, QMJHL Game Report, October 15, 2025
 | Niko Tournas Right wing, 6-foot-1, 198 lbs. Shoot to the right |
In his first season in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, Niko Tournas has excelled. He played 16 games with the Moncton Wildcats, scoring 12 goals (3 PPG) and 8 assists (4 PPA) for 20 points. He ranks fifth in most QMJHL goals and power play goals. Overall, Tournas ranks 9th in total scoring and 12th in points per match (1.25 Pt/Gm).
Highlights roll autumn 2025
This highlight reel contains 7 goals from Tournas. The variety of shots and situations – wrister, snap, chip, slapper and one-timers – demonstrate some of his arsenal of goals.
In 2024-25, Tournas’ second season of junior hockey, he played 56 games with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks and was a First Team All-Star in the North American Hockey League. He scored 39 goals (9 PPG) and 35 assists (7 PPA) for 74 points. Tournas was the second leading goal scorer in the NAHL and ranked third in power play goals. Overall, he ranked 5th in total score and points per game (1.32 Pt/Gm).
Interestingly, in October 2023, NHL Central Scouting identified Tournas on their List of draft players to watch 2023-2024. They considered him a candidate for selection in the 6th or 7th round of the 2024 draft. Tournas played his first season of junior hockey with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. He went on to score 2 goals and 3 assists in 41 regular season games. Central Scouting did not include Tournas in their midterm or final rankings and he was not selected in the 2024 NHL Draft. In the 2024–25 season, NHL Central Scouting did not identify Niko Tournas and he was not drafted in 2025.
Now in his third year of NHL draft eligibility, Tournas has had his impressive progress recognized by NHL Central Scouting. That’s partly due to his high-scoring pace in the QMJHL, considered one of the elite junior hockey leagues in North America. Scouting staffs of NHL teams will likely evaluate Tournas further in the coming months. NHL Central Scouting’s next formal rankings will be the Midterm Rankings in January 2026.
Neutral Zone NHL Scouting
QMJHL game report, October 15, 2025
“As soon as the (Moncton) Wildcats announced Tournas as a pick, it seemed a little strange considering he was a 2006-born player, but he was clearly in high demand in the Q, so that’s why they drafted and signed him almost immediately. There’s no question Tournas can shoot the puck and score, but what this kid has done in a very short time in Moncton is truly outstanding. He’s lost almost 10 pounds and has incredible worked hard on skating, which is just great.” could see him get called up to the NHL as 2006.
Tournas thinks the game very well and has the innate ability to get into the offensive zone in the quiet areas of the ice and has a very heavy, accurate shot. Surprisingly, he missed some quality chances, so I’m not sure if he was rushing things or perhaps overthinking them during those sequences. He has a professional release and can shoot from anywhere and his shot is the type of shot that generates a lot of rebounds. He is very good in traffic and makes subtle plays in traffic under the dots in the offensive zone, creating time and space for himself and his linemates.
He certainly has some nastiness and jam in his game as well, and if Desnoyers gets back on the line you’d assume he could only get back on top there if the skating continues to progress, but Tournas has already become the Wildcats puller on their best PP unit. Again, his role could change with Desnoyers’ return, but he has cemented himself as a bona fide top 6 forward with the Wildcats and as a sniper in the Q. It will be very interesting to see how he handles with teams monitoring him over the next ten to fifteen games, as that attention is warranted given his current stats and his ability to put the puck in the back of the net.
Pavel Martinu
“Pavel Martinu is a forward who uses his size effectively and is very adept at passing the puck around defenders… With soft hands and a strong hockey IQ, he generates offense and plays in all situations.” Neutral Zone game report, March 6, 2025
 | Pavel Martinu Center/left wing, 6-foot-1, 213 lbs. Shoot to the left |
In 2023, at the age of 15, Pavel Martinu (AKA Pavel Martinů) came to New Hampshire from his home in the Czech Republic (Czech Republic) to pursue his hockey dreams. He attended Seacoast Performance Academy in Exeter, NH for 2 years and played for their 16U AAA (2023-24, 56 games, 55 points) and 18U AAA (2024-25, 49 games, 57 points) teams. Martinu was also called up to the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) for three games in January 2025.
The Sioux City Musketeers drafted Martinu in the 18th round (#131 overall) of the 2025 USHL Entry Draft last May. Martinu, still 17 years old, is the fourth-youngest forward on the Sioux City roster and the only one to have played in all 17 games for the Musketeers this season. Playing mainly in the centre, he has scored two goals, plus a shootout goal, and added one assist. Listed at 6’4″, 213 lbs. by NHL Central Scouting, Martinu is one of the tallest forwards on their preliminary list of players to watch for 2025-2026.
Highlights roll autumn 2025
This highlight reel shows all three of Martinu’s goals and his assist. Two of the goals and the assist feature backhand skills and the other goal is a wrist shot from an acute angle, with one timer.
Scouting in neutral zones
USHL Showcase, September 2025
“In late 2007, he played a well-rounded game without much flash or flair, but with old-fashioned effort and smart hockey. The towering 6-foot-2 rookie clogged the lanes in pursuit of the puck and intercepted passes. His reach was a factor in all three zones. Pavel played hard and physical. He used a wide cradle with the puck and could move it several yards with one move. His height and body helped protect the puck, and he had a bullet that connected with his snap shot came loose.
One scout wanted him to be stronger in driving the net, and the other saw that Pavel used the drive in the middle lane and distributed to the wing. Although he wasn’t a perimeter player, he was able to work his way into the cage with the puck more often. Martinu sent a puck from his skate to his stick without breaking stride or looking down. His first touches were muted and Martinu was on pucks with a lean element and good instincts to anticipate where the pucks would go. He had a positive impact in the defensive zone as he was well positioned with his reach and ability to read plays. Pavel should be a plus player with enough skill and a bad shot to make plays that lead to goals.”
Player group Winter Classic 18U, January 2025
“Pavel Martinu is a forward who uses his size effectively and is very adept at chipping the puck around defenders, both when leaving his zone and entering the offensive zone. His ability to chip the puck out of the zone created several strange rushes for him and his linemates. With soft hands and a strong hockey IQ, he generates offense and makes plays in all situations. Pavel was a key part of his team’s success and contributed significantly to their tournament win.”
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