Recruits 2026 and Beyond

[scoop85]

I have happened upon a copy of the EP draft guide.

Nick Cirka, Cole Emerton, Cole Tuminaro, Daniel Walters are in it. Anyone want their writeups?

(Charlie Puglisi isn't in it, mildly surprising to me. Neither is Caton Ryan, for those wondering, though Cooper Cleaves is.)

Of course we want the write ups (thanks in advance)

[Chris H82]

Cooper Cleaves sounds like some horrible disease barrel makers got in the Middle Ages.

Or a small forgotten character in "Leave it to Beaver".

[stereax]

I have happened upon a copy of the EP draft guide.

Nick Cirka, Cole Emerton, Cole Tuminaro, Daniel Walters are in it. Anyone want their writeups?

(Charlie Puglisi isn't in it, mildly surprising to me. Neither is Caton Ryan, for those wondering, though Cooper Cleaves is.)

Of course we want the write ups (thanks in advance)

Cirka (D grade):
The Halifax Mooseheads have placed significant faith in Nick Cirka, whom they drafted in the seventh round in 2024. And
while his numbers may be lacklustre, his strong technical base makes it easy to understand why they chose to bet on him.
Cirka is a demon on his posts, boasting impressive coverage and seal for his height while in the RVH. He's also very proactive
with his stick in that position, always disrupting passing lanes and preventing cuts from the net with his paddle. An explosive
goaltender who could unlock more strength as he fills out his frame, Cirka also has impressive composure, staying zen when
facing heat in tight spaces, and betting on his framing and tracking to block pucks from finding the twine. His hands also
project well moving forward, with good form in his glove hand.
There are two things that Cirka really needs to work on as he moves up: his tracking and his positioning. He just gets beaten
cleanly way too easily. It's often because he finds himself a step over positionally when facing chances off the rush, or not
following pucks through the shooting arc, relying too heavily on his hand-eye coordination.
Furthermore, Cirka's anticipation would benefit from more consistent scanning of his posts. Athletically, he's got some
explosiveness, but struggles to extend out and lacks control in his limbs in sprawls.
Cirka is currently projected to head to Cornell next season, but it might be a season too early for a move to college – he's yet
to truly find his game in the QMJHL. He will need to further improve his tracking and positioning against the rush. But given
his foundation, it wouldn't be too surprising to see an NHL team bet on Cirka's technical foundation in the later rounds of the
draft.

Emerton (F grade):
With a deep blueline ahead of him, Cole Emerton spent his 16-year-old season in the OJHL. That prepared him to step right
into a prominent role for the Barrie Colts at 17. He was a key part of their power play, recording an impressive 24 points on
the man-advantage.
A solid all-around defenceman, Emerton brings a high level of engagement and some puck-moving. He's hard after pucks,
engaging physically and putting in the extra effort to deny slot passes and shots. With the puck, he generally keeps things
simple, but he regularly creates advantages with his quick, short passes by beating the forecheck.
With game-managing skills, it's clear that Emerton has pro upside. To solidify it, he has to add more special qualities. At his
size, he'll have to perfect his defensive reads: Tighter gaps and quieter closing footwork. He could expand his puck game
further, too, pushing his skills and looking to create more.
The lack of standout skills and tools likely means Emerton won't be a pick this year, but his effort, engagement, and puckmoving potential make him a prospect to watch for future seasons.

Tuminaro (D grade, Hammer badge):
Entering the 2024-25 season, Cole Tuminaro looked poised to become an NHL pick. He was coming off a season where he
was one of just seven non-NTDP 16-year-old defencemen in the USHL. But one game into his draft year, he dislocated his
shoulder and missed the remainder of the year.
With a healthy draft-plus-one season under his belt, Tuminaro looks poised to be picked this time around, likely as a lateround pick.
If there's one word to describe Tuminaro, it's mean. It's not just hits, but his stick work and the non-stop battles. He doesn't
let opponents off the hook, slamming them into the walls after the puck leaves to make sure they can't beat him back to the
net. His aggression is complemented by angling skills and stick work.
Tuminaro brings some puck skills, too. He finds outlets on retrievals, occasionally evades the forecheck to create an
advantage up the rink, and has moments of activation skill. He's mobile, but lacks some quickness, and the flashes likely
won't carry to higher levels of hockey without an improved skill level.
Still, Tuminaro's physical characteristics should catch the attention of at least one NHL team in the mid-to-late rounds. He's
likely an organizational depth projection, but there's a chance he has more to show, given how much time he missed. He'll
head to Cornell next season, where he could play a regular role off the hop.

Walters (D grade):
Daniel Walters was a top pick in the QMJHL for a reason: Pace and physicality. He's involved in the game's battles, big and
small, winning pucks and inflicting pain with his frequent heavy hits. He lines up opponents in open ice and brings that same
energy to the backcheck and defensive zone, too.
Physicality isn't the only way Walters can impact the game either, as QMJHL regional scout Hadi Kalakeche detailed in a
report:
"He isn't all power moves and net drives, either – he looked like a true creator in this one. Quick handling reads under
pressure to shake waves of pressure and access open ice, smart east-west passing, hook passes under sticks, and constant
positional engagement allowed him to impact the game positively as a chance-generator."
Walters was used in more of a checking role this season, hence his average production, but he could also improve his
passing touch, vision, and especially his skating, adding more quickness and power to win more pucks and get behind the
defence.
With skill growth and added speed, Walters could become a valuable fourth-line checker in the NHL. More likely, he fills a
checking role in other pro levels.

"The most competitive, high energy, and meanest player in not only the QMJHL but the entire draft class. Walters
plays a fearless game, he is not afraid of anyone and will do whatever it takes for his team to win. His energy and
motor alongside of his natural skills allows him to control play in offensive zone either while in position, off the cycle,
or on the forecheck. He will be in your face and wear you down. His play style is a very rare one in the modern
hockey landscape and he is the type of player you need on your team in order to win."
– QMJHL Executive, May 2026

[marty]

Cooper Cleaves sounds like some horrible disease barrel makers got in the Middle Ages.

Or a small forgotten character in "Leave it to Beaver".