The U17 World Hockey Challenge wrapped up over the weekend with the United States winning gold, but for TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button, it was a chance to forecast a look into the future for the 2028 NHL Draft.
Button has identified three players who have already established themselves as a cut above the rest: Regina Pats forwards Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue as well as HC Sparta Praha defenceman Matyas Michalek.
Schultz comes in at No. 1 for Button as he has had a dominant start to the year.
The 16-year-old centre started the campaign off with a championship, as he had three goals and 10 points to lead the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring as Canada captured gold.
He then suited up for Canada White at the U17s and while the team came up empty-handed in a fourth-place finish, it wasn’t for lack of effort by Schultz, who led the tournament in goals (six), assists (10) and points (16) and was named to the All-Star Team.
Button compares Schultz’s game to that of Hockey Hall of Fame centre Patrice Bergeron and Chicago Blackhawks legend Jonathan Toews.
“He’s a complete player who is dialled in at every single second of every single shift in every single area of the game,” said Button of Schultz. “Maddox Schultz’s will and competitive spirit are off the charts.”
With the Pats this season, the Medicine Hat, Alta., native has four goals and 14 points in 10 games.
At No. 2 is Pue, a winger who has 11 goals with 18 points in 11 games this season with Regina.
Along with Schultz, Pue also tore up the Hlinka Gretzky Cup en route to gold as he scored a tournament-high six goals with nine points in five games and is fresh off helping Canada Red win U17 bronze with four goals and 10 points in five games.
“Liam is an elite offensive player,” said Button. “His goal scoring is superb. He reminds me a lot of Steven Stamkos at the same age.
“Great goal scorers make goaltenders defend every area of the net because they can hit any area of the net and they can expose you. Liam Pue has that, and that to me is a defining quality. He forces goaltenders to defend every part of the net because he can take advantage of whatever is exposed.”
Rounding out the top three is Michalek, who just helped the Czechs earn silver at the U17s.
Michalek has appeared in four games with HC Sparta Praha this season as well as with their U18 and U20 squads.
He was also the top pick in this year’s CHL Import Draft, going No. 1 to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.
“A great skating defender who is able to ensure that defensively you’re not in any type of harm, and he can alleviate the pressure, and then the play quickly goes the other way,” said Button of Michalek. “He’s in control of the game. His skating is off the charts great in every area: footwork, agility, quickness, speed.
“Because I’ve watched him now for two years, I’ve been really, really impressed with just the way he understands that his ability to control the game is pretty significant.”
Here are seven other players Button has identified as top prospects to watch out for ahead of the 2028 NHL Draft.
Aiden Kelly, Centre, Brantford Bulldogs
Kelly is off to a strong start in his first OHL season, scoring eight goals with 21 points in 16 games.
The Rochester, Mich., native was taken 20th overall by Brantford in the 2026 OHL Draft and is committed to the NCAA’s Wisconsin Badgers.
“He’s a really gifted player,” said Button. “I watch Aiden Kelly play, and it conjures up some images of Mark Scheifele at the same age.”
Joey Cullen, Forward, USNTDP U17
Cullen is fresh off helping the Americans win U17 gold, as he recorded three goals with seven points in four games.
With the USNTDP U17 squad this season, the 16-year-old has four goals with 11 points in 13 games.
Cullen’s older brother, Wyatt, was drafted 10th overall by the Nashville Predators in this year’s draft and Button has Joey firmly in the top 10 conversation.
“There is nothing off the radar about Joey Cullen,” said Button.” It may have been the case with Wyatt, but Joey has demonstrated that he’s an elite player skill-wise, skating and competitiveness.”
Kash Kwajah, Centre, Sudbury Wolves
Kwajah was selected fifth overall by the Wolves in the 2026 OHL Draft and has already made an immediate impact, scoring six goals with 15 points in 13 games.
The 16-year-old forward also represented Canada Red at the U17s, recording five goals and 10 points in five games in a bronze-medal effort.
“Excellent skater, great speed, uses it to his advantage in so many ways,” said Button of Kwajah. “Creates turnovers and openings. He knows how to score and how to get open. One of the things that really impresses me about Kash is how good he is at freeing himself from tight spots.”
Mason Martin, Goaltender, USNTDP U17
Martin was a standout at the U17s, backstopping the United States to gold while recording a .929 save percentage and 2.68 goals-against average.
While his numbers aren’t sparkling with the USNTDP U17 team (.862 save percentage and 4.37 GAA), Button believes Martin has the potential at going high in the first round, a rarity for a goaltender.
“He’s got a skill set that when you start to watch a goaltender with what I consider to be all the attributes to be elite, I think Mason Martin has these,” said Button.
Leon Roos, Centre, Brynas U18
Roos is off to a blistering start offensively with the Brynas U18 squad, scoring 11 goals with 35 points in 14 games.
While the offence didn’t carry over to the U17s (two assists in four games) as Sweden finished fifth, Button compares Roos to Chicago Blackhawks forward Anton Frondell.
“Just a solid two-way center, big brain and excellent skater,” said Button of Roos.
Adrian Sgro, Defenceman, Sarnia Sting
Sgro is another player who had a strong U17 tournament.
The Alliston, Ont., native led all defencemen in scoring at the U17s with 10 points in five games as Canada White finished fourth.
“Dynamic defender,” said Button of Sgro. “He initiates with skill, initiates with physical play, has an edge. He’s right in it, right on top of it. So engaged, and he’s got the skills to match. He is bold. Really good player.”
The fourth-overall pick by the Sting in this year’s draft, Sgro has one goal and four points in 14 games.
Paavo Fugleberg, Right Wing, TPS
A late birthday, Fugleberg is another player off to a strong start with his club team this season, scoring 10 goals with 19 points in 14 games with TPS’s U18 team.
He has also played two games with the main TPS squad, notching an assist.
Button sees Fugleberg’s game as a blend between Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor and Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen.
“Fugleberg has slick skill,” said Button. “Really understands how to get the most out of his skill, and he’s got lots of skills. To me, he’s got such terrific potential.”