As the AHL season gets underway, one of the most interesting elements of the 2026-27 season will be how many star prospects fill the league’s rosters. From top 10 picks to players on the verge of realizing their NHL dream, you can find tons of standout players in the AHL this season.
That’s certainly true in the Pacific Division. Already the biggest division in terms of teams, the number of prospects you can see out west is truly astounding. So for those of you out east who like to stay up late and all of you in the Pacific Time Zone, there’s plenty to feast your eyes on this year.
Here are the prospects to watch during the 2026-27 AHL season, which you can watch in full right here on FloHockey.
Caleb Desnoyers, C, Tucson Roadrunners (UTA)
In previous years, Desnoyers would have had to be sent back to junior if he was 19, but the new rules allow Utah to send him to Tucson. As a result, in 2025 The No. 4 overall pick is getting a jump on his pro career after dominant performances with the Moncton Wildcats the past two seasons.
Now there’s a scene you love to see.
Caleb Desnoyers and the Gilles-Courteau Trophy 🤩@monctonwildcats |: @QMJHL: #GoCatsGo #QMJHL pic.twitter.com/V4aVXLwRnJ— FloHockey (@FloHockey) October 4, 2025
Desnoyers is a legitimate two-way center with core ability. He plays an aggressive style and there is a guile to his game that challenges opponents. I expect him to take a little break from Tucson around the holidays to join Canada at the World Junior Championships.
Tij Iginla, LW, Tucson Roadrunners (UTA)
Selected sixth overall in 2024, Tucson will have two top-10 picks from its parent club to start the season. Tij Iginla is coming off a particularly promising season after losing the 2024-25 season due to injury. Iginla had 90 points in 49 games with Kelowna in the WHL last season.
A scoring winger with a nose for the net and a great NHL pedigree, Iginla has all the makings to be a top-six forward down the road. Getting a chance to get reps in that role in the AHL should help prepare him to join a mammoth team on a path toward long-term competitiveness.
Michael Hrabal, G, Tucson Roadrunners (UTA)
If you don’t know the name yet, you’re about to. Hrabal was an absolutely dominant netminder in college over the past three seasons with UMass. He posted an incredible .937 save percentage in his final campaign with the Minutemen and finished his NCAA career with a .925 mark. Rest assured, he was one of the absolute best players in college hockey last season.
Now he’s headed to the pro ranks, bringing a 6-foot-7 frame with him to the net. He’s also incredibly technically sound, has great hockey sense and a real feel for the net. The Mammoth could very well have their goaltender of the future here in Hrabal, but they need plenty of time in the AHL to prepare him for his next step. Look at him carefully.
Roger McQueen, C, San Diego Giles (ANA)
After starting the season on the Ducks’ roster, McQueen was sent down to the AHL, where he is expected to be able to gain some experience in the role he will eventually play with the Ducks. I expect him to get some top six minutes and be given a chance to do more as the season progresses.
The 2025 No. 10 pick already appeared in seven games with San Diego at the end of last season. That, plus a strong year at Providence College allowed him to more easily transition to the pros this year.
Anaheim has a lot of youth and a lot of their positions are filled right now, so McQueen has work to do to make the final roster, but getting reps in a high offensive role against the pros can only bring out the best in him.
Stian Solberg, D, San Diego Giles (ANA)
I wouldn’t be surprised if Solberg gets some call-ups from Anaheim this year as he continues to grow in his game. Solberg plays a physical game with strong defensive instincts and incredible individual strength. In the next level, you can see the creation of a fierce defender.
What I think Solberg can afford to work on this year is elevating his offensive game, puck movement and extending the game more. That’s what will help keep him in the NHL outside of the strong defensive game he already possesses. He had 24 points last season and probably has a little more to give.
Braeden Cootes, C, Abbotsford Canucks (OF)
Coutes, the 15th overall pick in 2025, is another 19-year-old getting a chance to play professionally this season. He stayed in camp with the Canucks until the end, before eventually being sent to Abbotsford to continue building his game.
Cootes is coming off another very successful WHL season that saw him traded to the Prince Albert Raiders, who he helped lead to a championship run. He scored 23 points in 20 playoff games as one of the team’s best players. He also has a chance to captain Canada at the World Junior Championships this year.
Henry Brzustevich, Ontario Rhine (LAC)
Still the youngest team in the world to qualify for Team USA, the Kings still have a decision to make regarding Brzhustevic. At least for now it looks like they’d like to give him a little run with the kingdom. They have the option of sending him back to the OHL’s London Knights, but the gifted kicker could help at the AHL level.
He had 54 points in 59 games with London before spending some time in Ontario where he didn’t find the net. It’s worth a try to see if that offensive prowess from the juniors can translate to the AHL. They can always send him back to junior if they feel he needs a little more time.
Carter George, George, Ontario Ryne (LAC)
A second-round pick in 2024, George has shown impressive goaltending potential ever since. He’s been Canada’s goaltender at two World Juniors, helped the Soo Greyhounds to the second round of the OHL playoffs and now he’s ready to be a full-time professional.
CARDS: GEORGE: GATE: PURPOSE: 🚨
LA Kings’ Carter George has his SECOND goaltending goal.@OHLHockey |: @OHLHoundPower |: @LAKings #OHL: #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/UzTuDs9tsx— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 22, 2026
While George doesn’t have prototypical goaltender size, he has great hockey sense and moves quickly. His ability to read plays and maintain composure are big components of his success.
Hampton Slukinski, Georgia, Ontario Ryne (LAK)
George will have to share the net this year with Slukinski, who has a real winning pedigree. Sluckinski has captured both the USHL’s Clark Cup and the NCAA National Championship. Everywhere he’s gone, he’s been a winner that always resonates with teams. Now in his first full season as a pro, Sluckinski will have a lot of competition with George at the start.
Quinn Hutson, LW, Bakersfield Condors (EDM)
Although Hutson was never drafted, he quickly gained respect in the AHL with a huge rookie season for Bakersfield. Thirty goals will often do that. Hutson was among the top rookies in the AHL last year and continues to push for a chance with the big club.
A four-game stretch with the Oilers that included his first NHL goal proved Hutson isn’t far from playing some meaningful NHL games. For now, he will be an integral part of Bakersfield’s offensive attack and remains an intriguing prospect to watch.
Quinn Hutson got to try the rock star move at the All-Star Classic 👀 Would you go for it?@TheAHL: |: @Condors: |: @EdmontonOilers |: @TerrierHockey |: @MuskegonJacks #AHL: #AHLAllStar #Condorstown #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Y44mSE83mH
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) February 12, 2026
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