2026 NHL Draft: Top Six Overagers Include World Junior Medallists
Sometimes, NHL draft prospects just need more time to prove their worth.
Overage players get drafted every year, often but not always on Day 2.
Players who go undrafted are usually flawed or overlooked in some way. In many cases, teams like the player but question the NHL upside and want to see them prove it again, possibly at a different level or in a new environment.
2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Final Cut Has A New No. 1
NHL draft expert Tony Ferrari shares his top 85 prospects with in-depth analysis of the top 32. Although Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are in a dead heat, there's a new No. 1.
John Parsons, G, Providence (NCAA)
In his third year of eligibility, Parsons may have finally done enough to earn a call.
His freshman year at Providence went about as well as it could have gone. He put up excellent numbers in tandem, and when the NCAA tournament came around, he earned the crease. Parsons gave Providence a chance to win every time he was in the blue paint.
His struggles with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in his first year of draft eligibility were notable, but he's since refined his game. He's less chaotic and much more controlled.
Parsons has become one of the more technically gifted goalies in the draft. He has good size and moves well to ensure that he's squaring up shots all over the ice.
Jonas Woo, D, Medicine Hat (WHL)
Woo had a fantastic season in Medicine Hat, putting up 86 points in 56 games, being the primary play driver on many nights and playing on both special teams units. His skating was a major strength, and in his own end, he was more than willing to engage physically to prevent chances. Woo was a driving force for the Tigers' solid year.
His issue is he's a 5-foot-9 blueliner who likes to play a physical brand of defense, and his offensive tools aren't quite elite enough to fall back on at the next level. NHL teams will wonder whether he can translate his game to the next level or if he's just going to be another undersized defenseman who can hang at the junior level but struggle to get to The Show.
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Philippe Veilleux, LW, Val-d'Or (QMJHL)
With nearly 100 points this year in the QMJHL, Veilleux could be a prospect worth taking a flyer on. He's such a smart, tactical player who is far from a one-trick pony offensively. He's a very good rush attacker and a resourceful player on the cycle. His game lacks physicality, though, and that's been the major knock on the QMJHL stud.
Veilleux isn't the most fleet of foot forward, either, which is a tough recipe for NHL success, especially when the forward is 5-foot-9.
Among the players on this list, Veilleux might be the longest shot to make it to the NHL because of the flaws in his game. He might just end up being a very good junior player with a decent overseas career.
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This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 2:02 PM.