Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Draft Entry

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Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen

2025-26 Team: Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)
Date of Birth: Dec. 18, 2006
Birthplace: Northville, Michigan
Ht: 6-foot-1 Wt: 188 pounds
Shoot: Left
Position: Defender
NHL Draft Eligibility: Second year eligibility 2026

Levels

Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen enters his second season with something to prove after going undrafted last year. As a top prospect, he has shown growth in many areas of his game throughout the 2025-26 season.

Notably, he is the son of Manon Rhéaume, the first woman to play in an NHL game, and the cousin of Nick Rhéaume, a forward for the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones, meaning hockey is part of his DNA.

Now, this past season, Rhéaume-Mullen played a key role on a Michigan Wolverines team that was ranked No. 1 in the country all season and made a run to the Frozen Four. He played a solid career, averaging 18:12 of ice time per game, finishing plus-11 while producing 18 points with four goals and 14 assists in 40 games, an average of 0.45 points per game.

Two of his goals came on the power play, where he showed the ability to shoot pucks from the blue line with precision by using screens and beating goaltenders with his wrist while putting pucks into the net. He played on the power play and showed versatility in all kinds of situations.

In the Frozen Four semifinal against the Denver Pioneers, the defensive back played third baseman at right guard alongside Asher Barnett, showing the coaching staff’s confidence in the high-profile game. However, the Wolverines came up short but will definitely be back next season.

His second season showed clear growth. He was sound defensively while adding an attacking touch to his game. After putting on some muscle in the offseason, he looked strong in tackles and physically confident.

He plays a straight game with just 20 penalty minutes in 40 games and relies on his hockey IQ and skating to stay efficient. He is at a great defensive level against skilled players who try to make quick and flashy moves, as he rarely bites and stays in place.

NHL Draft Projection

Ranked 168th in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, Rhéaume-Mullen has yet to appear on the lists of many other outlets. As a top prospect, he will be tough to pick, but his improvement this season gives him a chance. If he is drafted, a sixth or seventh round pick is very likely.

Other THW profiles

Measurements

“The number one running back option on this list, Rhéaume-Mullen, got a lot of attention last year. Scouts were concerned that the six-foot-6 linebacker was too small last year, but he looks stronger than his first year at Michigan. We even saw his production nearly double when he earned a spot on the USA World Junior team.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

“DRM excels when he’s defending skill players who try to make quick, flashy moves, because he doesn’t seem to cross them. His puck play isn’t great, though, which has hurt his stock a bit this year. The ceiling isn’t high here, but Rhéaume-Mullen plays solid defensively to take advantage of him as a re-entry prospect.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Power

Hockey IQ
You are disciplined
Flexibility
Defensive Position
Skating
Easy Exit Passes

Under Construction/Development To Be Done

A Two Way Game
The body
Create with puck on stick

NHL Power

His role will increase next season as Michigan is expected to once again be a national championship contender. Ice time should increase, and playing in the Big Ten will continue to help his development against top-level competition, especially with the influx of Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players into college hockey.

I can see him becoming an NHL depth defenseman every day or a top defenseman at the American Hockey League (AHL) level, one day.

Risk/Reward Analysis

Risk – 2/5, Reward – 3.5/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Defense – 7/10 , Offense – 6/10