Hidden Gems Unveiled: Which U20 Stars Are Poised to Explode in the 2026 NHL Draft?
The Swedish
junior league is loaded with intriguing prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. In
this piece, Jacob Smeds highlights five players who have stood out in the early
weeks of the U20 Nationell season. Enjoy!
Oscar Holmertz (C), 2026 NHL Draft
Holmertz is a
center with strong playmaking ability. His game relies more on hockey sense
than on speed or physicality. He is confident with the puck and often finds
solutions others don’t see. His vision stands out, allowing him to dictate the
pace of play and bring both tempo and control to his team’s game.
Holmertz has
opened the season with promising play in the U20 Nationell, earning him a spot
on Linköping’s SHL roster for Thursday’s game against Örebro. He didn’t get any
ice time, but just being on the bench is a sign that his SHL debut is getting
closer. With his high hockey IQ and ability to process the game, it’s easy to
project his skills to the professional level.
Bosse Meijer (C),
2027 NHL Draft
Bosse Meijer
opened the season with a promising performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for
Sweden. Though one of the youngest players on the roster, he played a key role
on a line with 2026 top prospects Oscar Holmertz and Elton Hermansson. Meijer
stood out with his relentless work ethic and constant motor, and he showed
confidence in taking shots whenever the opportunity arose.
Meijer entered
the season with just a single U20 game to his name, but he’s made the
transition from U18 look seamless. Along with his trademark work ethic, he has
displayed strong hockey sense and a knack for threading passes behind opposing
defenders. With his late-2008 birth date, Meijer emerges as one of the more
intriguing Swedish prospects to keep an eye on for the 2027 NHL Draft.
Marcus Nordmark (RW), 2026 NHL Draft
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