The 2026 NHL Draft is still many months away, but the top of the class is starting to take shape. Almost all of them are defensemen, and a majority of them play in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Below is a semi-early ranking of the top five defensemen exclusively from the CHL.
5. Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
A major theme for this year’s defensive class is how well some players skate for their size. Daxon Rudolph is one and is becoming super reliable for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was a highlight of all my viewings.
Rudolph is a solid defenderbut its impact is felt in all three zones. He has 17 points in 22 games this season, while he is difficult to play: a constant thorn in the side of his opponents. I think he could be a play driver at the next level.
4. Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Carson Carels has elite shutdown potential. When balanced skating meets an abrasive edge and a deep understanding of the game, you’re left with an all-situations game killer that shines on the biggest stages. With 25 points in 24 games, he also gets it done on the other side of the ice.
There’s a reason why Carels was named top pairing minutes at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge: it’s significant. The June-born defender is one of the most reliable in his class and is able to play inside the attacking zone to top it all off.
3. Xavier Villeneuve, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Small but dynamic offensive defensemen rarely get a fair chance at the NHL Draft. But I think Xavier Villeneuve is breaking the trend. He’s so good.
Xavier Villeneuve goes coast to coast here, showing off his elite skating – one of the best movers in this class. Creates a solid chance for Ethan Belchetz at the end.#2026NHLDesign pic.twitter.com/7sr4VwZrVY
— Prospectwatcher (@ProspectWatcher) November 27, 2025
Villeneuve is as electric a skater as he is a creator. He dazzles when he hits the ice and makes countless plays in the offensive zone. The comparisons with Lane Hutson are real.
At 6-foot-1 and 157 pounds, Villeneuve is always the smallest player on the ice. Considering Hutson hasn’t grown much since turning pro, the 18-year-old could well stay that way. But he has a bit of an edge in his game and is fighting to prove the “size matters” crowd wrong.
2. Chase Reid, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
Chase Reid began his 2024-2025 campaign in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Since then, he has made the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) so popular that some consider him the best defenseman in this year’s league, even ahead of Keaton Verhoeff.
Related: Chase Reid Ready to Climb the 2026 NHL Draft Boards
So, what’s to like about it? Well, Reid is quite tall and a great skater at the same time. He can carry the puck across the ice with ease and avoid the checkers to create scoring opportunities. Defensively, the 17-year-old grabs pucks and has good anticipation.
Chase Reid (SSM25) with a nice series here. Carries the puck on ice, hands it off, retrieves it for a chance and then turns aside a pass the other way that ultimately results in an OZ tiepic.twitter.com/6Ey7xgW0SM
— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) October 16, 2025
Reid has 28 points in 26 games this season, which ranks third among OHL defensemen in scoring. He can’t be stopped now.
1. Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
It was a tight race for number 1, but I’m sticking with my personal preference. Even though he wasn’t as explosive as some of the others on this list at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, Ryan Lin remains one of the best all-around defensemen in this class for me.
Lin leads WHL defensemen in points (28 in 25 games), which would make you think he’s an offense-first player. But his excellence starts at the other end of the ice, as he is an exceptional mover and carrier of the puck. His strong skating skills help him direct the play from his own zone, resulting in numerous rushing opportunities.
Speaking of rushes, Lin defends them very well. His defense stood out in my watches and showed high competition, positional awareness and the ability to use his skating in all situations.
Ryan Lin gets the “little D” knock. But he plays far from small
Moving the puck and skating are essential NHL attributes, but he is also very smart and effective in the DZ
Wins battles, initiates contact, defends the rush. I liked what I saw here:pic.twitter.com/b6JLUiIjTd
— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) October 14, 2025
So Lin’s 1.12 points per game rating – the best among 17-year-old WHL defensemen with 20 games played in over 20 years – is truly an added bonus.
What do you think? Who is the best draft-eligible defenseman in the CHL this season? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
Statistics courtesy of How muchHockey
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