Though summer is typically a quiet period for hockey, I’ve managed to get on the ice at least once a week thanks to skill development and international tournaments. Watching teenage players, it’s clear many still have a long way to go in their growth and development. For instance, a huge presence like Ethan Bellshetz from the OHL’s Windsor, standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 228 pounds, is already a strong NHL prospect for the 2026 draft. However, predicting the future of younger players eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, especially those at Canadian U-17 camps, is much harder.
A defenseman who is just 5-foot-9 might face a steep climb to make the NHL, but that same player could grow three more inches in the next few years, changing the outlook entirely. Take Mitch Marner, who was listed at 5 feet 7.5 inches and 130 pounds when the London Knights selected him 19th overall in the 2013 OHL Draft. Now, one of the NHL’s top forwards, he’s grown to 6 feet and 180 pounds. On the flip side, some players like Johnny Gaudreau and Cole Caufield have succeeded without big size.
Scouts and agents, often juggling the challenge of convincing clients still developing physically, rely on unscientific methods to guess if teenagers will get taller. Some common signs they look for include leg size, skate size, family traits (parents’, siblings’ height), and overall growth patterns. Despite their best efforts, there is no sure-fire way to predict growth. One scout shared various humorous and thoughtful adages about growth prediction, ultimately admitting it is all just educated guesswork.
If there were reliable ways to forecast both size and talent, identifying future NHL stars would be much simpler. Until then, teams continue to place their faith in promising young players, as seen with prospects like Jerome Belbe after the 2025 NHL Draft. One scout sums it up bluntly: "If your kid is 5 feet 6 and shaving every day, he’s cooking."
Fan Take: This insight highlights the uncertainty and complexity in scouting young hockey talent, reminding fans that player development is unpredictable but exciting. It reinforces why patience and belief in growth—both physical and skill-wise—are vital for building future NHL stars, keeping the sport dynamic and full of surprises.
