Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Phantoms forward Jack Hextall awaits a pass during an October game against Sioux City.

Over the last four years, the Youngstown Phantoms have made it an organizational goal to transform Youngstown into a destination spot for hockey players aspiring to get drafted into the NHL.

Their success has been hard to argue with.

Since the 2023 NHL draft, the first with coach Ryan Ward and co-GMs Jason Deskins and Ryan Kosecki all together in the organization, the Phantoms have had 14 players drafted by NHL teams.

Jacob Fowler, drafted in 2023, made his NHL debut this season, playing in 17 games for the Montreal Canadiens. Fowler recorded a .908 save percentage and earned wins in nine of his appearances.

Forward Charlie Cerrato, drafted last season by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, made his professional debut as well, suiting up for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.

They look to add even more to the crop this year, with seven players with Phantoms ties garnering attention from NHL scouts.

Listed in order of their appearance on the NHL Central Scouting rankings, the potential draft picks are as follows:

Tobias Trejbal (G)

Rank 3 (North American Goalies)

The USHL’s 2025-26 Goaltender of the Year, Tobias Trejbal will be one of the first netminders to come off the board in NHL draft.

Trejbal finished his rookie USHL year with a .916 save percentage and suited up in 42 games for the Phantoms in their Anderson Cup-winning season. The Czech netminder also was awarded first-team All-USHL and All-Rookie this past season.

“He’s an unflappable kid, super athletic,” Ward said. “His hands have developed nicely, tracks pucks really well, obviously massive athletic frame, everything that you would want in an NHL No. 1 goaltender. He’s a lot like Jakub Dobes (Montreal). He’s got a really bright future, He’s a bona fide NHL No. 1.”

Trejbal will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as announced by the program. He’ll join former Phantoms Coleson Hanrahan (2023-2025), Justin Kerr (24-25) and Daniel Jencko (2024) on the Minutemen roster.

Jack Hextall (F)

Rank 34 (NA Skaters)

For teams looking for a forward who can do a little bit of everything to add into their prospect pool, Jack Hextall may be the answer.

Hextall was the highest-scoring under-18 player in the USHL this past season, scoring 58 points (20 goals, 38 assists) in 59 games with the Phantoms.

Additionally, Hextall represented the United States at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Hextall was the second-leading scorer on the roster, tallying seven points (two goals, five assists) in five tournament games, culminating in a Team USA gold medal. The right-shot forward had a goal and two assists in the championship match with Sweden.

Signed to a tender agreement in 2024, Ward considers Hextall as one of the club’s top success stories.

“They’re getting a 200-foot center. He can play all three zones, super competitive, super smart,” Ward said. “He has developed into an unbelievable leader. He’s a winning hockey player. I think his best offense is ahead of him, just because he cares so much about all three zones. As he continues to mature and develop, I think his offensive numbers are gonna obviously grow. Wonderful kid who was a great success story here in Youngstown, and exactly why, if you want to play in the NHL, you should probably take a hard look at the Youngstown Phantoms.”

Hextall will suit up for Michigan State in the fall.

Axel Brongel-Larsson (D)

Rank 59 (EU Skaters)

Signed to a Standard Player Agreement for the upcoming season, 6-foot-1 left-shot defenseman Axel Brongel-Larsson joins the Phantoms as a third-round selection in the 2026 USHL Phase II Draft.

He’s also expected to have his name called in the upcoming NHL Draft. When he suits up for Youngstown in the fall, Phantom fans have a lot to look forward to.

“He’s a big, strong shutdown defenseman. He loves to hit, he’s physical, he’s got a good first pass. Times his jumps well,” Ward said. “I think here he’s gonna be in front of a ton of people, and he’s a kid that he’s gonna play at the top of our defensive pairings, and he’s going to be counted on to munch minutes. For him, it’s a steady game, it’s a simple game, but an effective game. He’s a really efficient player, and he’s a beast of a defender.”

Brongel-Larsson comes to North America with plenty of European experience, including three games in the Swedish top-flight league with Frolunda HC. He also wore a letter last season with Frolunda’s U20 team.

Evan Jardine (F)

Rank 78 (NA Skaters)

During his time with the Phantoms, forward Evan Jardine has developed into a major scoring threat.

The forward was third on the Phantoms in points last season, posting 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 53 games. Ranked as high as No. 56 overall by The Hockey News, Jardine will make for a great addition to the prospect pool of whichever team selects him.

“The thing about (Jardine) is, he finds a way on the score sheet every night,” Ward said. “He can play different roles, he can be a shooter, he can be a playmaker. He’s very, very intelligent on the ice, and works extremely hard. Obviously, with any kid, there are things that he’ll clean up as he gets older, but (Jardine) has been able to be a Swiss Army Knife for us, and as he moves into the college ranks, my bet is that he’s going to continue to produce. When you look at it, it’s really hard to constantly be on the score sheet, and Jardine is one of those kids that finds a way, no matter what the situation is.”

Jardine will spend next season at Ohio State alongside former Phantoms Ryan Rucinski, Nathan Lewis and Sascha Boumedienne, who is transferring from Boston University.

Kade Stengrim (F)

Rank 93 (NA Skaters)

Spending last season with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, Kade Stengrim recorded 44 points (25 goals, 19 assists) in 66 games.

Listed at 6-foot-4, Stengrim is a big-bodied forward who will make for an intriguing prospect.

“He’s a big kid,” Ward said. “He’s got an elite shot, an elite release and the question is going to be for him is whether you know he can put it all together, think the game and get stronger and be able to turn into a legit NHL (talent).”

Stengrim will return to his home state of Minnesota next season to play with the University of St. Thomas.

Richard Zemlicka (F)

Rank 120 (NA Skaters)

Richard Zemlicka split time this season between Youngstown and Finnish club SaiPa, even seeing two games in the Finnish top-flight Liiga.

In 29 games with the Phantoms, Zemlicka tallied 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists). Zemlicka also represented his home nation of Czechia on the international stage this season, earning a silver medal in the U20 World Junior Championships.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, Zemlicka has a lot of traits NHL scouts will love.

“He has a prototypical pro body, big and strong. He’s moving his feet, he’s tough to contain, can play center, can play the wing, he has sneaky skill and obviously has played in big moments,” Ward said. “He’s a kid that NHL scouts will salivate over because of his size and strength. He’s willing to fight, he’s willing to stick up for his teammates. I think in the playoffs he was one of our best forwards, and the question for him is whether he’s going to do that consistently.”

Lucas Zajic (F)

Rank 126 (NA Skaters)

Lucas Zajic enters the 2026-27 season in a similar situation to Cerrato. No longer in the NTDP, Zajic hopes a change of scenery will be the best move for his career.

“I think (Zajic) got pigeonholed a little bit, just like Charlie Cerrato at the program,” Ward said. “I think he’s gonna benefit from actually being coached. I think he’s gonna, he’s gonna benefit from having people believe in him. We certainly believe in him. I’ve known for a long time – he was a Chicago kid, just like Jack Hextall, super speedy, creative off the rush, a ton of skill, a ton of speed, not afraid at all. He’s actually one of the NTDP’s most edgy players.

“I think you’re gonna see that kid at the top of the leaderboard in USHL scoring, and I think he just needs someone to believe in him, and a little bit of pointing in the right direction.”

Zajic will spend one season in Youngstown before departing for the University of Wisconsin.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE

Forwards Jakub Hes (2024-2026) and Zachary Morin (2023-24), as well as Eric Frossard (2024), are all also in the mix to be selected.

Hes and Morin are both in their second year of eligibility.

Round one of the 2026 NHL Draft is set for tonight in Buffalo. Rounds two through seven will take place on Saturday. Cerrato’s teammate at Penn State, Gavin McKenna, is the likely top overall pick. The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the top selection in this year’s draft.