General | 2/18/2026 3:42:26 PM

In the market for a big, right-shot defenseman? Jayden Kurtz might be your guy. In NHL Draft circles, there are certain prototypical traits that draw immediate attention. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Kurtz possesses a physical frame that teams prioritize.

As such, the 18-year-old blueliner was viewed highly in NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings last month, appearing as the No. 77 North American skater.

While most players garner this level of attention in junior hockey, Kurtz has done so primarily while playing for Rogers High School in Minnesota. 

As a Phase II pick of the Chicago Steel, he gained valuable experience in the USHL prior to the start of his high school season. During a four-game stint in November, Kurtz quickly realized that the jump to the USHL required an adjustment to the strength and quickness of the league.

"I think just the pace, the speed, and how strong people are,” Kurtz said of the adjustment from high school to the USHL. “It’s a big jump, but I thought I adapted well to it, just trying to make the simple plays that I needed to."

Despite not recording a point during his USHL stay, Kurtz averaged over 17 minutes of ice time and played on both special teams units. The Steel coaching staff provided positive feedback and encouraged him to be ready for big minutes once his high school season concluded. 

"We're very excited for Jayden to join us after his high school season," said Steel Associate Head Coach/General Manager Tyler Haskins. "He provided a steady presence when he was with us in November. He skates very well and his ability to make plays coming out of our zone allowed him to play at a high level for the four games he was with us. We expect him to jump into our lineup and be counted on immediately. We're looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop his game and help our team make a push into the playoffs."

At Rogers, Kurtz serves as an alternate captain and acts as the primary engine for his team. His leadership is evident in his heavy workload across all situations. Through 24 games, he leads all defenders on the team with 11 goals and 33 points.

His elite skating ability truly separates him from other prospects of his size and is a big reason why he’s moving up draft boards. However, that didn’t happen by accident. Kurtz put in the work to elevate his skating. 

He spent the summer between his junior and senior years attending weekly power skating sessions to improve his explosiveness and agility.

"I think my skating really sticks out since I'm a bigger frame,” Kurtz said. “You don't really see a lot of bigger guys that can skate really well, so I think that's a big aspect of my game that really separates me."

Kurtz’s mobility complements a high hockey IQ, allowing him to manage the game effectively from the back end. Beyond his defensive reliability, he brings a sophisticated offensive game and the vision to facilitate play from deep in his own zone. He is a constant threat on the power play, where he flashes a deceptive shot to pick corners and exploit openings.

"I think I can really shoot the puck and pick a spot when I need to,” he said. “I also have really good vision. I think I see the ice really well from back in the defensive zone all the way up the ice."

Given his profile, Kurtz naturally models his game after NHL defensemen Cale Makar and Brock Faber, admiring their 200-foot capability to disrupt plays before transitioning to the offensive attack. Regardless of where he’s playing, he aims to be a complete player whom a coach can trust in any scenario.

"It's awesome when your coach throws you out there in those situations because he trusts that you're going to make a play or get the puck out of the zone,” said Kurtz. “Being able to be on the ice with all the top guys on the power play or penalty kill and making plays and just either getting the puck out of the zone or putting a puck in the net when the coach needs you to, it's a great honor."

The Rogers coaching staff offers the same sentiments in return.

“Jayden has an innate ability to propel his team to victory in many different ways,” said head coach Dave Brown. “He is a puck-moving defenseman that has a strong sense of the game. He plays his best in high-pressure situations and is able to execute in all facets of the game, offensively and defensively.

“He possesses good vision and is able to make the game look easy with good reads and puck decisions. He uses his strengths to be a leader on and off the ice, which allows him to be a consistent winner in games and in practice. His game will only get better each level he goes up because of his ability to read a game and his role.”

This projectability has caused interest from NHL clubs to skyrocket. His rare combination of size and right-shot profile has already led to numerous discussions with scouts. While Kurtz remains humble about his ranking and NHL interest, he has remained grounded in his approach.

"It's definitely cool to see your name on that,” he said of Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings. “But there's so much more work to do. You still have to get drafted and then still go to college and make those teams. Then, if I'm lucky enough, I will play in the NHL. It’s always in the back of your head looking at it, but I am just trying to focus on the high school season right now."

His immediate goal is to lead Rogers to a state championship. He is also a strong contender for the Reed Larson Award, given to the top senior high school defenseman in Minnesota, and hopes to be a Mr. Hockey finalist. 

Once his high school season ends, Kurtz will return to Chicago to finish the year in the USHL and continue building his draft profile.

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and eight of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).