The hockey season is well underway now, and especially in the junior hockey realm. We have an idea of who each team’s stars are during the season, but we have also gotten a glimpse at new faces in the league, and more than a few of those are making an impact.
Whether on the scoresheet or in a different set of ways, rookies can be depth pieces that need room to grow, or they can be highly touted draft eligible studs who are expected to make waves. Expectations can be tough, and on this list of hot starts for rookies, there are no shortages of expectations. Today, we’ll dive in and have a look at some of the top prospects who are making an impression on their teams and the league and stand to gain in their pre-draft rankings, as well as one player for the 2028 draft who should get the attention of fantasy owners. One to keep in their back pockets. A good fantasy manager is always one step ahead, and keeping tabs on these players could pay dividends.
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James Scantlebury, C, Quebec Remparts, (8G, 9A, 17P, 5PPP)
Scantlebury leads all rookies in scoring with 17 points and a goal-per-game in his first eight contests in the Q. A selection of the Remparts in 2025, Scantlebury decided to join top 2027 prospect Carter Meyer in Quebec who came over from the USNTDP.
While impressive, his pace is highly unsustainable with Scantlebury shooting 38.1%, albeit seeing a large portion of time on the man advantage. His 2.7 shots-per-game are among the most in the league, so should he keep his shot volume up, 40 goals should be within reach.
Draft eligible players rarely reach the 40 goal plateau, let alone 50, but it is possible after a hot start. He has found a way to score and drive play at every level he has played at, but will find himself in tough to maintain his current pace. Assuming he can at very least match his 16.8% from last year with the Chicago Steel, he would be on pace for 35, and that is assuming the drop off happens immediately. 50 is not out of the question should he stay hot on a deep team.
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Jamie Glance, RW, Saint John Sea Dogs (3G, 8A, 11P, 4PPP)
Glance put up decent numbers in his two seasons with the USNTDP-U18 since being drafted in the sixth round by the Sea Dogs in the 2024 Q Draft. Despite only having three goals to his name thus far, he has shot the most among all rookies in the league this season (31 SOG).
Glance is a well rounded player, but one with the instincts of a goal scorer. If he can keep his shot volume trending up, he stands a chance to breakthrough sooner than later, especially with a breakout season slated for a few of his Sea Dogs teammates. His average draft ranking has Glance going in the 20-25 range in the 2027 NHL Draft, but a breakthrough could see him be a steady riser as the season ages on.
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Carter Meyer, C, Quebec Remparts (2G, 8A, 10P, 5PPP)
Meyer has legitimate pedigree coming into his draft year. Consistently ranked in or just out of the top-five for June’s NHL Draft, Meyer has legitimate potential to surpass Alexis Joseph as the top consensus prospect in the QMJHL in large part because of his vision. He spent last year developing with the USNTDP and had originally committed to Boston University for the season, but changed course to join the Remparts for his draft year.
The aspect that stands out most for Meyer is his vision. He has a knack for distributing the puck and finding weak spots on the ice when there are none. While not a sniper by trade, he is shooting just over nine percent on the season. Even for the greatest playmakers in the game, there is still a bit of luck to be sent back over his way. He should see some positive regression as he is shooting the puck a ton (22 SOG), but still just has two goals to his name. If he sees this uptick, 30 goals could be within reach while not impacting the 64 assists he is currently on pace for. 100 points is not out of the question if he gets hot.
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Max Brien, C, Rimouski Oceanic (2G, 6A, 8P, 0PPP)
I felt it necessary to mention Brien as he is currently leading the 2026 QMJHL Draft class in scoring as the season sits a few weeks old. He is already 6-2, 195lbs at just 16 years old and looks physically dominant during some of his shifts, especially against smaller competition.
He still has not shot the puck a whole lot, sitting at just 11 shots on goal, but he stands to gain from his physical maturity. He is certainly ahead of schedule for a 16 year old making the jump from U18 Major to Major Junior. He is someone who caught my attention early on, and someone you should keep tabs on, as he is more than a finesse player who puts the puck in the net. He impacts the game in a variety of ways that helps his team win. Wait for him to start shooting, and you’ll see a potential difference maker at his current level.
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Sean Crocker