22 Minnesotans have been named to the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings, including one skater who could be in the mix as a late first-rounder if these rankings were set in stone (they're not). 

The list includes 10 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goaltenders. If you're unfamiliar, NHLCS splits their rankings into North American and European lists for skaters and goaltenders, which doesn't make the ranking insignificant, but it also shouldn't be assumed that a North American skater ranked at a particular slot is exactly where they're pegged to go when the actual draft rolls around. 

The Minnesotans come from a mix of the USHL, WHL, and the Minnesota High School ranks. Of the 22 players, there are 10 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goaltenders. By league, 10 players come from the USHL, 6 from Minnesota High School teams, 5 from the WHL, and 1 from prep power Shattuck-St. Mary's. 

Let's break it down by position. 

Forwards

USHL - 6
MSHSL - 2
Tier I - 1
WHL - 1 

Defense 

MSHSL - 4 
USHL - 3 
WHL - 2 

Goaltender 

WHL - 2 
USHL - 1

There are 164 days until the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York. There will also be another set of NHL Central Scouting Rankings that will come out in mid-April. Things will change between now and then. If you don’t see your favorite player here, or don’t think they’re high enough, don’t panic.

Jayden Kurtz 
Rogers
Defense 
NHLCS Midterm Rank: 77 

At No. 77, Kurtz is the highest-rated player among Minnesota high school players in the midterm rankings. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound defenseman is wearing a letter this season for Rogers, his third with the Royals' varsity. 

Through 15 games this season, Kurtz has seven goals and 18 points, which rank fourth among all Rogers skaters and highest among defensemen. As of the publishing date, the Royals have a record of 11-4-1, and are ranked No. 6 in Class AA.

The Chicago Steel of the USHL owns Kurtz's junior rights.  

Joe Erickson 
The Blake School 
Forward
NHLCS Midterm Rank: 86 

Dubbed "Big Joe" in his youth hockey days, Erickson's got the frame that junior, college, and pro scouts drool over, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 207 pounds. Now in his fifth season of high school hockey, Erickson has 20 goals and 39 points in 17 games for the No. 8-1A Bears and appears on track to surpass last season's totals of 23 goals and 52 points. 

Erickson's NAHL rights belong to the Wisconsin Windigo, and he also appeared in a pair of games with the USHL's Chicago Steel this fall. 

Teddy Lechner 
Academy of Holy Angels 
Defense
NHLCS Midterm Rank: 98

Like Kurtz, Lechner is a rangy defenseman with quality athleticism, and his versatility is getting a workout this season for the Stars, as he's been lining up at both defense and forward. 

Through 13 games this season, Lechner has five goals and 19 points. He has already matched last year's goal total, and a 40-point season is not out of the question with 13 guaranteed games left. 

Lechner is verbally committed to Augustana. 

Ethan Sturgis 
Minnetonka 
Defense
NHLCS Midterm Rank: 213

After scoring 10 goals and totaling 20 points in his first season of varsity hockey last year, Sturgis is now wearing the 'C' for one of the state's premier programs. One of nine seniors on the Skippers' roster, Sturgis anchors a defensive core that's held opponents to 1.07 goals per game, and he's scored seven goals and assisted on seven others through 15 games for the top-ranked Skippers.  

Sturgis is verbally committed to Dartmouth. 

Nicklas Nelson 
Monticello 
Defense
NHLCS Midterm Rank: 218 

Still just a junior in high school, Nelson has been a known commodity since a 23-point freshman season for the Moose, which was followed by an outstanding 11-goal, 42-point output in his sophomore campaign. 

Nelson's seven goals and 18 points through 15 games this season make him third among Moose skaters, and he has a legitimate chance to break the career 100-point mark during the 2025-2026 season. 

Nelson's father, Eric, played for UConn in the early 2000s, and Nicklas is verbally committed to the Huskies.