Harrison Boettiger- 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

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Harrison Boettiger

2025-26 Team: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Date of Birth: Dec. 11, 2007
Place of Birth: Wheat Ridge, Colorado, USA
Ht: 6-foot-3 Wt: 194 pounds
Catch: Left
Position: Goalkeeper
NHL Draft Eligibility: Eligibility for the first year of 2026

Levels

One of the scorers in the 2026 class that helped their draft value was Harrison Boettiger. After spending last season with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), Boettiger decided to jump ship to the Western Hockey League (WHL), signing with the Kelowna Rockets. A shaky start with the Rockets wasn’t what the Colorado-born netminder had hoped for, but his finish to the 2025-26 regular season was a positive one. When all was said and done, Boettiger finished in the top ten in wins (25), goals-against average (2.83), and save percentage (.911). There is a lot to love about the sport of young boxers at the crease.

Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets (Steve Dunsmoor / Kelowna Rockets)

Starting with his movement in the crease, Boettiger has the frame of an NHL goaltender (6-foot-3), and he can move well. His footwork is very quick, and he is light on his feet, which allows him to move around like a small goalie. Although it is light on its feet, it has the power to push from one side of the cream to the other. This also helps him recover if he finds himself out of position, which doesn’t happen often.

For the situation, Boettiger sounds pretty good. He has a wide stance with his butterfly scoring style and uses his aforementioned footwork to set himself up smartly. He clearly sees the game in front of him and expects to play at a high level without commitment, which keeps him in good shape. Another area where his game could use some work is his puck control. While he’s good at controlling rebounds, being able to control them a bit with his stick will also eliminate second or third chances for his opponents.

Related: THW 2026 NHL Draft Guide

When Boettiger struggles in net, it seems like his glove hand is off. That was one of the main reasons for his struggles in his first season with the Rockets, but he has improved in this area throughout the season. With the Rockets looking to advance to the WHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup after being named the 2026 host team, Boettiger will be a key factor and could end up helping to increase his draft value even more.

Some THW Draft profiles

Harrison Boettiger- NHL Draft Projection

Boettiger has been one of the most impressive North American pitchers eligible for the 2026 Draft and could be one of the first taken. Neither goaltender is likely to go in the first round, but he has heard his name called in the second or third round.

Measurements

“I want to be known as a calm goalkeeper … I want to give my team a sense of security back there…If he messes up, I want to get him back. I will cover him. But I can’t lose hope. I can save an athlete if I have to, but I like to rely on my positioning and my skating to reach my points and be there when I talk about his style Boetcom.com.

“Knowing where shots can come from and reacting appropriately sounds easy in practice. But when goaltenders break out in the NHL, they’re often faced with speedy follow-up plays. Boettiger has always been very good at that, regardless of level. His hockey sense and active hands – keeping them in front to take up space – are as good as you’ll find.”- You’ll find Elelice class

“Boettiger plays a deep butterfly style that’s great at closing down the net. He also shows great agility, getting his leg out at the last second to make a pad save, and he’s good at getting back into position to make a second or third save after the first stop.”- Dayton Reimer, THW

Power

He is looking forward to the game ahead of him
It sounds fundamentally local: it plays the style of a butterfly standing in a wide area
Tracks the puck well on plays or upcoming shots
Strong, quick footwork
He recovers when he finds himself out of position

Under Construction / Development To Be Done

Weak point on his glove side: Improving the glove function will help him become even stronger against them
Puck control on rebounds is lacking at times: Working on his stick work, rebound control is an important area for improvement.

NHL Power

Goaltenders always struggle to determine what their true strengths are at the NHL level. If Boettiger can put everything together and continue to improve his game when he goes to the University of Denver with his collegiate play, he has a chance to become an NHL starting netminder who can carry a solid workload.

Risk Reward Analysis

Risk: 2/5 Reward: 4/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Goal: 8/10

Awards/Achievements

2022 WHL US Prospect Draft (fourth overall, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
2024 CHL/ USA Top Prospects Challenge (USNTDP)
2024 U17 WHC Silver Medal (USA)
2025 CHL/ USA Top Prospects Challenge (CHL)
2025 U18 WJC Bronze Medal (USA)

Discussions/Links

Harrison Boettiger statistics

Videos

ɪ ᴊᴜꜱ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴍɴᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴀᴍᴇꜱ 🔥

A calm presence at the crease – @Kelowna_Rockets goaltender Harrison Boettiger keeps it simple: compete, contribute, win.@TheWHL | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/d2XuH1s1n6

– Victory+ (@victoryplustv) January 24, 2026

Harrison Boettiger with two big stops in shortstop for Team USA in #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge!#KelownaRockets | #WHL pic.twitter.com/yvytM2ANG1

— X – Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) November 26, 2025