Men's Ice Hockey | 5/28/2026 9:34:15 AM

With the 2025–26 USHL season wrapped up, attention now shifts to the 2026 NHL Draft. Several draft-eligible players used the postseason stage to show scouts what they are capable of under pressure.

Here is a look at seven players who boosted their draft stock in the Clark Cup Playoffs: 

Rudolfs Berzkalns, F, Muskegon 

Ranked No. 30 among North American skaters, Berzkalns solidified his status as an early-round draft pick during Muskegon’s 16-game playoff run. Posting four goals and 10 points, the Boston College commit added to his regular-season tally of 16 goals and 24 assists across 52 games. The 6-foot-4 center came up big in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, recording a key goal to give the ‘Jacks a cushion while chipping in two assists. Berzkalns also potted a goal in Game 5 of the semifinal round to propel Muskegon past Dubuque. His +11 rating led the team, underscoring how well his defensive details complement his offensive abilities, making him a legitimate two-way forward.

Will Tomko, F, Sioux City 
Tomko’s draft stock has been steadily rising after recording an incredible 60 points during the regular season. The Ohio State commit added to that total in a six-game postseason sample, finding the back of the net twice and chipping in four assists. At 6 feet and 190 pounds, Tomko has terrific open-ice speed and has shown an innate ability to convert on his scoring chances around the net. While he checked in at No. 198 among North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings in April, he feels like a player who could hear his name called much earlier in the draft because of his skill set.

Evan Jardine, F, Youngstown 
The Ohio State commit turned in a remarkable regular season, tallying career bests in goals (27), assists (34), points (61), and game-winning goals (5). Jardine proved to be a significant contributor on the power play, racking up 10 goals and 28 points on the man advantage. While Youngstown’s postseason run was limited to just four games, Jardine answered the bell, recording a goal on 11 shots and three total points. Ranked No. 78 among North American skaters in April’s final rankings, Jardine’s style as a puck-possession forward, combined with a willingness to engage in board battles and play physically, makes him a highly attractive draft prospect.

Cooper Soller, F, Sioux Falls 
What a rookie season for Cooper Soller. The Western Michigan commit led all first-year skaters in goals (26), points (49), game-winning goals (7), and shots on goal (199) during the regular season. In Sioux Falls’ run to the Clark Cup Championship, Soller picked up a goal and four points while registering 34 shots on goal across 14 games. He thrives on plays in transition and has proved time and again just how effectively he can convert on chances below the dots. Soller checked in at No. 140 among North American skaters in the April rankings, but his production is hard to ignore. Either way, an NHL team will be getting a gem.

Nolen Geerdes, D, Madison 
Geerdes dropped out of Central Scouting’s final rankings in April, but his second-half production and postseason run proved his worth as a draft prospect. The Rogers, Minnesota, native followed up his 29-point regular-season total with 10 points (4G, 6A) during Madison’s postseason run. Geerdes tallied the game-winning goal to help push the Caps past the Anderson Trophy-winning Phantoms before recording four points (1-3-4) in the Eastern Conference Finals. While most of his shot attempts came from above the dots, Geerdes flashed a remarkably accurate and quick release from the point. He also showed a willingness to jump into the rush when he sensed the moment, marking him as a strong two-way defenseman.

Thomas Zocco, F, Sioux Falls
Zocco is making his case as a re-entry candidate after exploding for 22 goals and 70 points during the regular season. The Merrimack commit followed that up with 13 points, finding the scoresheet in all but three games during the Herd’s run to a Clark Cup title. Zocco potted the overtime winner to help keep Sioux Falls alive in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals before tallying seven points (2-5-7) during the championship round. A bit of a late-bloomer, Zocco remains unranked by Central Scouting, but he is a dangerous shooter who can help a team sustain offensive zone pressure.

Linards Feldbergs, G, Sioux Falls 
Feldbergs put on a goaltending clinic during the postseason, finishing with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage to go along with a pair of shutouts. This followed a regular season in which the Merrimack commit registered a solid 2.51 goals-against average and .910 save percentage while collecting 35 wins. Feldbergs is an athletic goaltender who does a nice job of limiting rebounds. While unranked by Central Scouting, the 6-foot-1 netminder turned in elite numbers and infamously turned aside 55 shots in Latvia’s upset against Canada at the World Juniors. Feldbergs attended Pittsburgh Penguins development camp as an undrafted invitee last summer, and he feels like a goalie who will find an NHL home in this year's draft.

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 nine 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).