"Rising Star Proves Himself: 18-Year-Old Defenseman Impresses NHL Scouts with Exceptional Skill and Versatility In a highly competitive 2026 NHL draft class, few prospects have managed to stand out from the crowd. However, Alberts Smits is one player who has given scouts a compelling reason to take notice. At just 18 years old, the talented defenseman has demonstrated an impressive ability to hold his own in top-level competition, showcasing his exceptional skill and versatility on the ice. With his impressive performance, Smits is likely to be a hot commodity in the upcoming draft, and NHL teams are taking notice of this young phenom's potential to make an impact in the league."

Alberts Smits gave NHL scouts one thing most other prospects in the 2026 draft class couldn't -- proof of concept. The 18-year-old defenseman showed how he could handle playing with and against ...