Doman Szongoth was the first Hungarian selected in the NHL draft since 2002.
photo: Andre Ringuette/IIHF
The NHL has added 223 names to its register of draft choices after seven rounds of selections, and of that number a whopping 97 come from Europe. That translates to 43.5 per cent of all players, which is just below the 98 from two years ago. That, in turn, was the highest number in a quarter of a century.
These 97 players come from 14 countries, and leading the way, as always, is Sweden. Some 25 of the 97 come from the land of Tre Kronor (25.8 per cent), a steady ratio year over year. Russia was right behind with 23 players. The Czechs had 12 and Finland eleven, but the most encouraging news came from Slovakia. They had eight drafted players, the most since 2003 and hopefully a sign of a resurgent program that once produced a World Championship gold medal in 2002.
Overall, Canada led the way with 68 players (30.5 per cent), including ten in the opening round and 15 in round five. The United States wasn’t far behind, with 58 (26 per cent), and their big round was the seventh, when 12 Americans heard their name called.
Other European nations to be represented included Latvia. They had four players drafted, and although that isn’t a big number it is a record for the country. Only twice before have they had as many as two players, so this is also an encouraging sign. Belarus and Kazakhstan had three; Switzerland and Germany two, and four countries had a single draftee: Denmark, Hungary, Norway, and Moldova.
The Moldovan was Alexander Karmanov, who went 201st to San Jose. He is gigantic. At 7’1”/2.16m and 280 lbs./127kg, he was the tallest player in OHL history last year and is now the tallest player ever drafted by the NHL. He is also the first player ever drafted from Moldova.
Just two picks earlier, the Winnipeg Jets contributed to draft history by selecting defenceman Alofa Tunoa “Noa” Ta'amu. He is the first player of Samoan heritage to be selected.
The first goalie selected was Tobias Trejbal, who went 42nd overall to Calgary. He played one game at the 2025 U18 and has committed to the University of Massachusetts for the coming season.
Calgary, meanwhile, kept Jarome Iginla’s Flames heritage alive by drafting Joe Iginla 65th overall. Another son, Tij, was selected by Utah in 2024, and daughter Jade plays in the PWHL.
Buffalo drafted Doman Szongoth 156th overall. He becomes only the fourth Hungarian ever selected, and the first since 2002. If he can make the Show, he would be the first Hungarian player to do so.
The Penguins did their best impression of Vancouver in 1999. They drafted Liam Ruck 22nd overall and 17 picks later selected his twin brother, Marcus. Not since Brian Burke drafted the Sedin twins had this situation occurred.
And lastly, literally, the final selection of the 2026 draft was Tyler Deakos, who was picked by Montreal 224th overall (Vegas forfeited its 63rd selection because of rules violations). He played for Waterloo in the USHL this past season, and he’ll no doubt have a tough time getting to the NHL. But never say never. That’s what the draft is all about.
These 97 players come from 14 countries, and leading the way, as always, is Sweden. Some 25 of the 97 come from the land of Tre Kronor (25.8 per cent), a steady ratio year over year. Russia was right behind with 23 players. The Czechs had 12 and Finland eleven, but the most encouraging news came from Slovakia. They had eight drafted players, the most since 2003 and hopefully a sign of a resurgent program that once produced a World Championship gold medal in 2002.
Overall, Canada led the way with 68 players (30.5 per cent), including ten in the opening round and 15 in round five. The United States wasn’t far behind, with 58 (26 per cent), and their big round was the seventh, when 12 Americans heard their name called.
Other European nations to be represented included Latvia. They had four players drafted, and although that isn’t a big number it is a record for the country. Only twice before have they had as many as two players, so this is also an encouraging sign. Belarus and Kazakhstan had three; Switzerland and Germany two, and four countries had a single draftee: Denmark, Hungary, Norway, and Moldova.
The Moldovan was Alexander Karmanov, who went 201st to San Jose. He is gigantic. At 7’1”/2.16m and 280 lbs./127kg, he was the tallest player in OHL history last year and is now the tallest player ever drafted by the NHL. He is also the first player ever drafted from Moldova.
Just two picks earlier, the Winnipeg Jets contributed to draft history by selecting defenceman Alofa Tunoa “Noa” Ta'amu. He is the first player of Samoan heritage to be selected.
The first goalie selected was Tobias Trejbal, who went 42nd overall to Calgary. He played one game at the 2025 U18 and has committed to the University of Massachusetts for the coming season.
Calgary, meanwhile, kept Jarome Iginla’s Flames heritage alive by drafting Joe Iginla 65th overall. Another son, Tij, was selected by Utah in 2024, and daughter Jade plays in the PWHL.
Buffalo drafted Doman Szongoth 156th overall. He becomes only the fourth Hungarian ever selected, and the first since 2002. If he can make the Show, he would be the first Hungarian player to do so.
The Penguins did their best impression of Vancouver in 1999. They drafted Liam Ruck 22nd overall and 17 picks later selected his twin brother, Marcus. Not since Brian Burke drafted the Sedin twins had this situation occurred.
And lastly, literally, the final selection of the 2026 draft was Tyler Deakos, who was picked by Montreal 224th overall (Vegas forfeited its 63rd selection because of rules violations). He played for Waterloo in the USHL this past season, and he’ll no doubt have a tough time getting to the NHL. But never say never. That’s what the draft is all about.