AHL: 2025-26 Top Prospects Team Announced

The AHL has announced its top prospects team for the 2025-26 season. In order to qualify, skaters must have been 22 years old or younger on the first day of the regular season and have played in at least 36 regular seasons in the AHL. No more than 30 regular season games in the NHL during the season. Goalies must be 23 or younger on opening night and have played in at least 25 games in the regular season with no more than 20 NHL games during the regular season.

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F – Ilya Protas – Hershey Bears

The 19-year-old forward appeared in 69 games for Hershey. He had 66 points on 29 goals and 37 assists. He was a +17 with 11 power-play goals, a shorthanded goal, and two game-winning goals. Protas was sixth in the AHL in points and first in points among rookies. He finished second among rookies in goals and assists. In four career NHL games, he had four points on goal and three assists. He was a plus-one with a power-play goal.

F – Konsta Helenius – Rochester Americans

The 20-year-old forward played in 63 games, recording 63 points on 21 goals and 42 assists. He was a -14 with nine power-play goals and four game-winning goals. He played in nine games with Buffalo, recording four points on a goal and three assists; he was a plus-one.

F – Michael Brandsegg-Nygard – Grand Rapids Griffins

Brandsegg-Nygard, in 60 games at 20 years old, recorded 44 points on 20 goals and 24 assists. He was a +17 with seven power-play goals and eight game-winning goals. Brandsegg-Nygard was tenth among rookies in the AHL in points. He was seventh among rookies in goals. In 14 NHL games, he had an assist and was a minus-five.

D – Carter Yakemchuk – Belleville Senators

The 20-year-old defenseman in 54 games had 40 points on ten goals and 30 assists. He was a -31 with three power-play goals. He was seventh among rookies in assists. In four NHL games, he had a goal and an assist; he was a minus-one.

D – Adam Engstrom – Laval Rocket

The 22-year-old defenseman in 45 games had 34 points on ten goals and 24 assists. He was a +14 with a power-play goal and five game-winning goals. In 15 NHL games, he had an assist and was a plus-two.

G – Sergei Murashov – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The 22-year-old goalie in 38 games was 24-9-4 with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage, and four shutouts. He was third in the AHL in goals-against average, and in save percentage. In five games with Pittsburgh, he went 1-1-2 with a 2.56 goals-against average, an .897 save percentage, and a shutout.