Cameron Reid

September 2026 – Reid capped his OHL career captaining Kitchener to an OHL Championship and Memorial Cup win, posting 15 goals and 56 points in 57 games to close out his junior tenure as one of the more intriguing defensive prospects from the 2025 draft class. The 21st overall pick is built around skating – widely regarded as the fastest straight-line mover among defensemen in his class – which underpins a defensive game built on positioning, stick lanes, and puck movement rather than physicality. At 6-0, he processes situations and escapes pressure at a level that consistently surprises opponents. An uncharacteristically loose World Juniors performance was the one notable blemish on an otherwise strong developmental year, out of keeping with a player who typically reads and defends with real consistency. The projection question is not whether he reaches the NHL – he almost certainly does – but how high he climbs within it. Players built around skating and hockey sense without a truly elite offensive tool or a physical fallback carry real ceiling uncertainty. He transitions to Michigan this year to challenge himself against men. Still just 19, with real runway ahead. Ryan Downey

August 2025 – The Predators moved up two spots in the first round to acquire Reid, a smooth-skating two-way defenseman. In his second OHL season with the Kitchener Rangers, the 6-0 blueliner registered 54 points in 67 games. Reid does everything well defensively but could use more consistency on the offensive side of the ice. With a veteran defense core in Nashville, another OHL season with Kitchener could prove beneficial for Reid. Chris Babos

June 2025 – Selected 21st overall, Cameron Reid is now a member of the Nashville Predators after a trade with the Ottawa Senators for the 23rd overall and 67th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Mark Henry

Final Rankings – Cameron Reid is a highly skilled, smooth-skating defenceman known for his mobility, hockey IQ, and strong passing ability. Reid is extraordinarily efficient offensively, maintaining a calm, collected approach and picking his battles tactfully before using his skating to unlock offensive options. To succeed in the NHL, Reid must get more aggressive and boost his physical resilience.—David Saad

January 2025-Reid has been one of the more surprising standouts of the past month and seems to be involved in everything Kitchener does. Despite his relatively small frame, this especially applies to his defensive game. Reid is remarkably effective with his stick, is very fluid with his motions and reads play spectacularly. Sprinkle in some really impressive offensive IQ and some remarkable mobility, and Reid being outside the top 32 may be laughable in hindsight. David Saad