The NHL Draft season is kicking into a higher gear, as it often does after the the World Junior Championship. January is a common month for top prospects games, mid-term rankings and more, meaning we’re getting ever closer to the big day when picks start flying.

• Watch the OHL all season long
• How To Watch The Connor McDavid Top Prospects Game
• FloHockey's NHL 2026 NHL Draft Coverage

As we keep counting down to the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, a big event on the scouting calendar is upon us and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here on FloHockey.

We’re, of course, talking about the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game, which will feature 40 players from across the OHL. Each are eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. The puck is set to drop in Peterborough, Ontario, Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

The rosters were selected by a committee that included representatives from NHL Central Scouting, NHL GMs, and OHL VP of Hockey Operations James Boyd. Each team features 18 skaters and two goaltenders, all of whom have a chance to hear their names called in Buffalo in late June.

NHL Central Scouting released their most recent mid-term rankings on Monday, and many top prospects will be on the ice in Peterborough.

Here are some of the highest-rated prospects that will be competing for the teams representing the Western and Eastern Conferences.

Western Conference

Chase Reid, D, Soo Greyhounds

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 4

Reid has a great chance to be one of the first defensemen taken in June. The 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman just competed for Team USA at the World Juniors and was a bright spot amid a tough tournament. He has been scoring goals in bunches this year with 15 from the blue line this year, to go along with 23 assists. He plays a style that makes it hard to take your eyes off of him.

Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 9

One of the most imposing figures in the OHL and just 17 years old, still, Belchetz has been a handful for the OHL this season. He has 25 goals and 40 points in 38 games this season, showcasing a wicked release and the ability to score from in tight. His power game is something to behold, as is his 6-foot-5, 227-pound frame.

Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 16

Among the OHL’s top scorers, Klepov has 50 points in 41 games in his first year in Saginaw. The Russia-USA dual citizen has high-end puck skills, with the ability to beat defenders one-on-one and beat goalies with a deceptive release. 

Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia Sting

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 19

A two-way center with crafty skills and maturity to his game, Di Iorio will wear the C for the Western Conference team. He hasn’t quite produced to the level that was expected of him coming into the year, but he did start the campaign injured and has been trying to catch up. He has 17 points in 24 games so far this season, but has still created value off of the puck with his tenacious 200-foot game.

Eastern Conference

Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 5

The leading scorer among draft-eligibles in the OHL this season, Malhotra has really taken off in Brantford this season. He just keeps getting better, too. Now with 53 points in 38 games, Malhotra has established himself as one of the top centers in the draft. He wore the C for Team CHL in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in November and will do the same for Team East in the Connor McDavid game.

Adam Novotný, LW, Peterborough Petes

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 12

After taking a brief period to adjust, Novotný has really taken off in the OHL. He wanted to get used to the North American game and also get a chance to get his offensive game going after coming over from Czechia. He’s done that and more. Novotný has 36 points in 31 game sincluding 20 goals. He’s a solid all-around winger who just helped Czechia win silver at the World Juniors. 

Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa Generals

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 14

A 6-foot-6, right-shot center is a valuable commodity any year, but especially in a draft that is a little lighter on pivots. Rogowski missed some time with injuries earlier this year and wasn’t available for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. This will be a great chance to show a large number of scouts where his game is at now. Rogowski has 22 points in 27 games so far this year, one point shy of surpassing the rookie total he had in 66 games last season. He’s among the most intriguing forwards in this draft class.

Thomas Vandenberg, C, Ottawa 67’s

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 25

Vandenberg is a strong skater who has a knack for getting to the net. After a four-point game in his OHL debut, Vandenberg has been rising up draft lists all season. He is one of the younger players in the draft class with a September birthdate and has 28 points in 32 games for Ottawa. 

Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs

Central Scouting NA Skater Ranking: 27

Though his draft stock has slipped over the course of the season, Roobroeck is heating up and is starting to rebound a little bit more. He has 47 points in 40 games and the goal scoring in particular is coming around. He scored 40 goals last season and is on pace to fall a little shy, but in a game with his draft-eligible peers, he can remind everyone why he was so high on the early-season lists.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook