Brady Knowling – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Brady Knowling

2025-26 Team: USA U18 (NTDP)
Date of Birth: March 09, 2008
Place of birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ht: 6-foot-5 Wt: 203 pounds
Catch: Left
Position: G
NHL Draft Eligibility: Eligibility for the first year of 2026

Levels

The top-ranked North American goaltender in the 2026 NHL Draft, Brady Knowling is a huge figure among the pipes already standing at nearly six feet and just over 200 pounds. He is a dual citizen who was born in Toronto, but plays for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, and is the favorite to be one of the first scorers off the board come June’s draft in Buffalo.

Knowling had a rough start to his USNTDP career finishing his rookie season with a 2-8-0 record in 12 games with a 6.22 goals against average (GAA) and .829 save percentage (SV%) last season. However, this season, he jumped to the U18 program, playing in 33 games and finishing with a 15-12-0 record. He added a 3.56 GAA and .880 SV% in that span.

He also represented the US at both the U18 and U20 World Junior Championships this season, however his record and overall numbers did not match what he was able to do this season with the development program.

His breakthrough came in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup – a tournament that has always been reserved for US-born players without a development program. But he posted a .914 SV% and a 2.35 GAA while leading the Americans to gold. Along with that, he qualified for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge and really solidified his spot as a top goaltending prospect in this year’s NHL Draft.

Despite the size, Knowling can move his way with ease and quickness. He’s a mobile goalie with raw talent and his mentality seems to be at a level that screams elite goalie to scouts. While there is still room to develop and improve those raw skills, Knowling has convinced many that he is on track to make an NHL roster at some point down the road. Given the right development and conditioning, Knowing should be able to work his way into a starting role at the next level.

As for what’s next, the senior goalkeeper is currently committed to Boston University in the NCAA for the 2027-28 season.

Some THW Draft profiles

Brady Knowling – NHL Draft Projection

There is some conflict among public officials about where Knowling will go when draft day arrives. While some have him drafted just outside of the first round, it’s more likely that Knowling will go somewhere in the mid-to-late second round. Even then, he’s ranked low as a middle-of-the-third rotation option with a skater-heavy frame. In fact, as one of the best guards in the draft, he should go 55 to 64.

Measurements

“Scouts really like Knowling. He checks a lot of boxes: size, mobility and raw intelligence. Scouts are a little concerned that his hands aren’t fast enough, even in minor hockey right now. That’s prevented scouts from going too high on him this season. But since he’s 18, he’s still got plenty of lane running to get things.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

“Knowledge provides a great professional presence, has great positional play, and is very smart at reading plays. He’s good at tracking the puck and has a great butterfly. He’s very hard to beat in the lower part of the net.” – NHL Central Scouting

“He used his big frame to his advantage, creating saves in all areas of the ice. He has the ability to square up to take shots from a distance, move toward one at a time, and compete to prevent the occasional letdown when the game gets busy in his position.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet

Power

• The size
• Reflexes
• Lateral movement
• Walking

Under Construction/Development To Be Done

• Hand movements
• Developing green skills

NHL Power

He has pro goaltender written all over him. His strength is the teams facing the net. His moves are trending at the professional level and his mind is already a good base to work with. It will take time and his commitment to Boston University will be helpful in his overall development, but Knowling should develop into a starting goaltender at the NHL level down the road. If not 1A, he certainly has 1B potential in his game.

Risk Reward Analysis

Risk – 3/5, Reward – 3.5/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Goal – 7.5/10

Awards/Achievements

It may be a short list for now, but given the amount of work he’s had this past season, Knowling’s gold medal run at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup should be noted on his resume as well. This certainly won’t be the last we hear about his achievements going forward and it probably won’t be the last on the international stage.

Discussions/Links

Brady Knowing Stats

Videos