The 2026 Top Prospects Tournament Kicks Off Today

February 16, 2026

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) kicks off the 19th annual Top Prospects Tournament at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. This annual two-day event features the best college-ready talent taking the ice to showcase their skills.

The NAHL has invested in more opportunities for players this season and has expanded the annual event to seven teams. Four of the rosters will feature divisional teams featuring athletes from their respective divisions (Central, East, Midwest, South). Alongside them, there will be three at-large ‘Selects’ teams, consisting of younger talent born from 2006-2009.

The rosters for the Central, East, Midwest, and South divisions were formed based on each team’s winning percentage as of January 18, 2026. Each divisional team’s assigned head coach chooses his roster from each team’s nominations of college-ready players in their division. Just like the selection of rosters, the division coaches were determined by each team’s winning percentage in their respective divisions. The first-place team will have their coach serve as the head coach, while the second-place team secures the assistant coaching spot.

The ‘Selects’ teams were chosen with the help of NAHL coaches, NCAA coaches, and NHL Central Scouting. The three ‘Selects’ teams will feature athletes across all four divisions. In addition, the team will be coached by NAHL coaches based on winning percentage.

The 2026 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament Rosters:

Team Central | Team East | Team Midwest | Team South

Selects White | Selects Blue | Selects Red

NAHL Top Prospects Head Coaches:

Team Central: Steve Howard, Austin (HC), Garrett Roth, Bismarck (AC)

Team East: Clint Mylymok, Maryland (HC), Nick Skerlick, Maine (AC)

Team Midwest: Zach Stepan, Minnesota W (HC), Dakota Bell, Fairbanks (AC)

Team South: Dan Wildfong, Lone Star (HC), Kyle McKenzie, New Mexico (AC)

Team Selects White: François Méthot, Rochester (HC), John Mitchell, Wisconsin (AC)

Team Selects Blue: Scott Langer, Aberdeen (HC), George Haviland, New Jersey (AC)

Team Selects Red: Todd Pococke, Springfield (HC), Mike Rivera, El Paso (AC)

This annual event marks the special return of the USNTDP for the first time since 2022. With eight games over two days at the USA Hockey Arena, this is a prime opportunity for athletes to showcase their talents on the ice. NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, and NHL scouts will all be in attendance.

All teams will be composed of 20 players (12 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies), for a total of 140 athletes. In addition, this year the games will feature three 17-minute periods, with an intermission halfway through the second period.

2026 NAHL Top Prospects Schedule (all times eastern, subject to change):

Monday, February 16th

➜ Selects Blue vs. Selects Red, 12:30 PM

➜ South vs. Midwest, 2:45 PM

➜ East vs. Central, 5:00 PM

➜ USNTDP vs. Selects White, 7:15 PM

Tuesday, February 17th

➜ Central vs. South, 10:00 AM

➜ Midwest vs. East, 12:15 PM

➜ Selects White vs. Selects Red, 2:30 PM

➜ USNTDP vs. Selects Blue, 4:45 PM

“We are thrilled to be heading to the USA Hockey Arena for the 2026 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. With the expansion of the number of teams, we are excited to continue to provide opportunities for athletes to be scouted by NCAA hockey programs. We look forward to showcasing some of the best uncommitted players and NHL prospects that the NAHL has to offer,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament is the most unique event we host because its sole purpose is to provide those players that are still uncommitted a great opportunity to play in front of NCAA and NHL scouts for a chance to make a great impression and earn an NCAA commitment or get drafted into the NHL. Scouts now have an established roadmap to track a player’s development, which includes assessments throughout the season and then making a determination based on his progression.”

All games from the 2026 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament will be broadcasted live and in HD exclusively on NAHLTV. Tickets are on sale now, so do not wait to secure your pass today! Check out this page for more information about the event.

Similar to years past, the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament is being held in conjunction with the NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament.