On the Hunt: Carson Carels

One of the Draft's Most Complete Defensemen

Carson Carels (DEFENSE)
Height: 6’2”
Weight:198lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: 6/23/08
Birthplace: Cypress River, Manitoba, Canada
2025-26 Team: Prince George Cougars (SHL)
2025-26 Stats: 58GP / 20G / 53A / 73P / 66PIM / 23

Projection: Top Pair, 2 Way Defenseman

The 2026 DCHL Draft class is filled with talented defensemen, but few players have elevated their stock this season quite like Carson Carels. Every year, DCHL organizations search for defensemen who can do more than simply move the puck or defend their own zone. They are looking for players capable of impacting the game in every situation — players who can anchor a blue line, contribute offensively, and handle the responsibility that comes with being a cornerstone piece.

Carson Carels has emerged as one of those players. Following a remarkable season with the Prince George Cougars, Carels established himself as one of the most productive and complete defensemen available in the 2026 DCHL Draft. His 73 points in 58 games were among the best totals posted by any defenseman in the class, but what truly impressed scouts was the way he generated that production. Night after night, Carels displayed the poise, consistency, and all-around impact that teams covet in a future top-pairing defenseman.

One of the first things that stands out about Carels is how comfortably he controls the pace of play from the back end. He is not a player who waits for the game to come to him. Instead, he actively drives possession, supports the attack, and constantly looks for opportunities to push play in the right direction. Whether leading a breakout or jumping into the rush, Carels plays with confidence and purpose whenever the puck is on his stick.

His offensive instincts are among the best in the draft class. Carels sees the ice exceptionally well and consistently makes intelligent decisions under pressure. He has the vision to identify passing lanes before they develop and the patience to allow plays to unfold naturally. His 53 assists speak to his ability as a distributor, but his 20 goals demonstrate that he is equally dangerous when given an opportunity to attack.

Carels also possesses a strong physical foundation for the professional game. At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, he already has the size teams look for in a modern defenseman. He uses his frame effectively along the boards, battles hard around the crease, and plays with a level of strength that allows him to handle difficult defensive assignments. While his offensive production often grabs headlines, his ability to defend remains a major part of his appeal.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Carels' game is his versatility. He can quarterback a power play, kill penalties, protect a lead, and match up against top opponents. Coaches value players who can be trusted in every situation, and Carels has consistently demonstrated that type of reliability throughout his development.

For Nashville, the fit is particularly compelling. The Predators have spent the last several years assembling one of the most exciting collections of young forwards in the DCHL. Players like Konsta Helenius, Victor Eklund, Cole Reschny, Matvei Gridin, Denver Barkey, Ivan Ryabkin, and Carson Rehkopf have given the organization plenty of offensive firepower for the future.

The next step in the rebuild may be finding the defensemen who can support and elevate that group. Carels offers exactly that possibility. His ability to move the puck efficiently, contribute offense, and play significant minutes would make him an ideal fit for Nashville's long-term vision. He brings a level of stability and versatility that could help connect the organization's talented defense prospects with its impressive forward core.

Picture a future where Carels is logging major minutes alongside Adam Jiricek, while Mikhail Gulyayev provides additional offensive punch on another pairing. Suddenly, Nashville's blue line becomes a strength rather than a question mark.

Carels also aligns with the identity the Predators appear to be building throughout the organization. He is intelligent, competitive, dependable, and capable of impacting the game in multiple ways. Those qualities often separate good prospects from players who eventually become foundational pieces. There is still development ahead, but the trajectory is extremely encouraging.

Carels projects as a top-pair defenseman with the ability to contribute in every phase of the game. His combination of size, offensive production, hockey IQ, mobility, and defensive reliability gives him the potential to become one of the most valuable defensemen from the 2026 DCHL Draft class.