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Why scouts are falling in love with 2026 NHL Draft’s Mathis Preston again

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis(sellishockey)
Apr 30, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 29, 2026, 15:05 EDT
Why scouts are falling in love with 2026 NHL Draft’s Mathis Preston again
Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Having an HFBoards thread started about you as a 14-year-old is a badge of honor for any young hockey player.

That’s the case for Mathis Preston, whose name entered the public sphere on Oct. 24, 2022. Back then, he was obliterating goalies with the Okanagan U-15 prep program, scoring 45 goals and 81 points in just 26 games. People around the internet were keeping a close eye on Preston’s numbers, knowing he was going to be a special talent.

“Nobody was on the same planet as him, skill-wise,” said one Western Canadian-based scout.

Indeed, he had some help from the Ruck twins – Liam and Markus, both of whom look like first-round picks this June. But Preston was the one receiving most of the praise, and he’d eventually get selected third overall by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2023 WHL Draft behind Prince Albert’s Daxon Rudolph and Riley Boychuk.

Preston made an immediate impact, scoring four goals in five games in 2023-24. He’d then lead Canada White to gold at the 2024 U-17 World Challenge with six goals and seven points in five games, as well as put up a solid 23 goals and 45 points as a WHL rookie. Then came the outstanding Hlinka Gretzky Cup performance last August, and it really felt like Preston was destined to be one of the first prospects taken this June.

And then, his draft stock started to crater. His numbers were fine on Spokane but nothing special. He did a lot of the heavy lifting for that squad, but scouts wanted to see more. Preston started the season as a projected top-10 pick but quickly fell down the ranks as the season wore on. Most still considered him a first-round pick after the mid-season trade to the Vancouver Giants. But not everyone was convinced anymore, with the eight-week absence due to a lower-body injury not helping.

These days, though? You’d be crazy not to be on the Mathis Preston bandwagon anymore.

With Gavin McKenna being too old, Ethan Belchetz missing out due to an injury and Caleb Maholtra chasing after an OHL title, Preston was pegged as one of the top Canadian players to watch at the U-18 World Championship. And through five games, he has truly been one of the most impactful players. He had five points in four round-robin games, while showcasing some true, high-level skill. There were other instances of quality play-driving that resulted in goals, even if he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet.

It wasn’t enough to lead Canada into the semifinals, but it was still a strong showcase for him, regardless.

Scouts aren’t worried about Preston’s skill. He’s an undeniably talented player who could become a top-six threat down the line. Preston has a remarkable shot and often wastes no time firing in the back of the net from the slot. It’s NHL-ready right now – something very few 17/18-year-olds can claim. Preston consistently finds open space, but he can also create those opportunities with his skating. He’s fast, can start and stop on a dime and can often skate himself out of dangerous situations.

And, perhaps more importantly, Preston is confident. You watch him go into 1-on-3 situations, and he doesn’t seem fazed. He knows he’s capable of pulling off quality moves frequently, and if he can’t find the right linemate to pass to, he’ll do it himself.

But there are other times when Preston can go completely silent and you don’t notice him. That was especially true this year, when it felt like you’d tune in to watch him and leave feeling underwhelmed. Preston can be a bit hot-and-cold, and it doesn’t help that he’s often a non-factor defensively. Scouts have often pointed out that he needs to simplify his decision-making in high-stakes games because he’s often chasing the flashy, highlight-reel-worthy moves instead of the smart, calculated plays.

“Preston sets the pace of play as well as anyone (in the WHL),” said one scout. “And then he makes plays on the fly, with a great shot and great hands; it pays off frequently.”

Despite him falling throughout the year, many scouts were happy to see him play so strongly again at the national team level. All the traits that made evaluators happy in the first place have been on display in Slovakia. This tournament isn’t the be-all, end-all in a prospect’s season. But a strong conclusion can do wonders for a player’s value, especially when they perform in big moments. There’s still the medal round to go, but Preston has definitely helped his stock over the past few days.

When Preston’s on his game, he can be unstoppable. We’ve seen that consistently internationally – he’s capable of taking over a shift at any time. Scouts still want to see that translate to domestic league play, and a huge third year in the Dub could help regain that confidence.

Will it translate to the NHL? That’s the multi-million-dollar question – and one a smart hockey team will look to answer in a couple months’ time.

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