Which 19-year-old former CHLers are playing in the AHL in 2026-27?
The American Hockey League has entered a new era.
Prior to the start of 2026-27, the NHL and CHL reached an agreement to allow 19-year-old prospects who were previously first-round picks to play in the AHL. CHL Import picks were always allowed to make the move to the AHL early. Canadian- and American-born prospects, meanwhile, had to either turn 20 prior to Dec. 31 of that calendar year or have four years of major junior experience.
With the old rule, some players were either rushed to the NHL too early or sent back to major junior and ended up learning nothing while dominating the competition. Few players would have benefited from a full season in the AHL more than the Calgary Flames’ Zayne Parekh. Had this rule been enacted last year, he would have been a top-pairing defender for the Calgary Wranglers instead. But his only options were NHL and OHL, and he had 107 points in his Draft+1 year. There was nothing more for him to prove at that level, but he also wasn’t ready to play meaningful minutes for the Flames, either. He also signed his NHL entry-level contract before CHLers were allowed to play in the NCAA, so that was off the table, too.
This is a better middle ground, allowing players who have outgrown major junior opportunities to develop at a higher level. The CHL doesn’t want to lose older prospects; they’re the ones who tend to bring the most eyeballs, especially the NHL Draft picks. The NCAA has been stealing guys away for the past two years, as it is. But with just first-rounders included in this clause, there’s still plenty of quality talent sticking around in the OHL, WHL and QMJHL to keep an eye on.
Buffalo Sabres defender Radim Mrtka (Rochester Americans), Carolina Hurricanes prospect Ivan Ryabkin (Chicago Wolves) and future Los Angeles Kings winger Vojtěch Čihař (Ontario Reign) were CHL Import Draft picks, which means they were already eligible to play in the AHL (and Ryabkin did for part of 2025-26). But which other U-20 prospects are worth knowing about during the start of the AHL campaign?
Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)
Brzustewicz has played a lot of meaningful hockey over the past few years. His London Knights squad got knocked out early in the spring, but he’s a two-time OHL champ and took home the Memorial Cup in 2025, as well. Brzustewicz made the jump to the AHL for the playoffs last year and impressed, serving as one of Ontario’s more impactful puck-moving defenders.
It’ll be interesting to see if Brzustewicz sticks around full-time or not. Contending OHL teams would be clamoring to acquire him if he was sent back to London. He can clearly contribute offensively, even if a big knock against him is his inability to really drive play from the point. That’s something another year of OHL hockey would help him with, but learning from tougher competition isn’t a bad thing, either.
Cap Summary
Draft Picks
Brady Martin, C, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)
I get looking at Martin’s OHL numbers and not being totally thrilled, but I still think the Predators got one heck of a player here. You’re not going to find many guys who work and battle as hard as Martin does. And that was proven with how well he played at the World Juniors. He also started the 2026-27 season in the NHL, which was a bit surprising, yet well-earned.
When he was healthy, Martin was one of the more fascinating players in major junior. I don’t expect him to be a big point producer, and that’s obviously something you’d probably want out of a fifth-overall pick. But he impacts the game in so many ways away from the puck that it makes it hard to dislike him. His high-energy play style should fit in perfectly with Milwaukee, where he should be able to play a top-six role immediately. Martin seems built for the playoffs, something the Admirals would love to have him around for this year after a difficult first-round loss in the spring.
Jake O’Brien, C, Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle Kraken)
O’Brien is still with the Kraken while he deals with a lower-body injury, but the expectation is that he’ll be loaned out to CV once he’s healthy. He registered more than 90 points in the OHL twice without sacrificing even a second of defensive responsibility. O’Brien was accused of passing the puck too often in the past when he should have been more active as a shooter; that feels like less of an issue now.
I don’t expect O’Brien to be a first-line center in the NHL, but he could make it happen in Coachella Valley – a perennial AHL contender. He’s a smart forward who continues to find ways to dominate the competition, no matter whom he plays against. In the NHL, I could see him becoming a solid secondary producer who can be relied on in a multitude of situations. Before that, though, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play at a 50-point pace in the AHL, with some NHL and World Junior action mixed in.
Caleb Desnoyers, C, Tucson Roadrunners (Utah Mammoth)
Desnoyers has had some issues staying healthy the past few years, but he was a dominant force in the QMJHL throughout his tenure there. He’s a strong, 6-foot-2 forward who seems to find scoring lanes out of thin air quite frequently, and he’s a great playmaker, too. Desnoyers thinks the game at such a high level, and he’s always looking to make the right play – not necessarily the flashiest one. Desnoyers is selfless, and he makes everyone around him better for it.
Given he registered six assists in seven games last winter, it would be huge for Canada’s World Junior team if they could manage to get Desnoyers back for one last kick at the can this winter. Since Utah wants to be patient with him, don’t be surprised if he ends up serving as Canada’s No. 1 center. If so, he’ll be a man on a mission with about two and a half months of pro hockey experience under his belt.
Braeden Cootes, C, Abbotsford Canucks (Vancouver Canucks)
Cootes’ impressive NHL preseason wasn’t enough to keep him with the big club, but he’ll definitely see some time in Vancouver before too long. The good news? He looked great during Abbotsford’s preseason, too. Cootes is one of Vancouver’s most NHL-ready prospects, but given the club is nowhere near its contention window, there’s little reason to rush him right now.
I don’t expect Cootes to be a play-driver in the NHL, but he’s one of the most well-rounded forwards in the system. He’s got speed, skill and hockey sense, allowing him to play a variety of roles. Cootes is a ton of fun to watch, and his ability to get the puck into high-danger situations consistently will make him valuable at the next level. Cootes will definitely play some NHL games this year, but as a 19-year-old, he’ll be given ample opportunities to play a vital role for the Baby Nucks.
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