At the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo on Saturday (June 27), the Edmonton Oilers selected centre Rudolfs Berzkalns with the 58th overall pick. Berzkalns was the first of five selections made by Edmonton at this year’s draft.
A native of Cesis, Latvia, Berzkalns totalled 13 goals and 12 assists in 48 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in the 2025-26 season.
He’s 18 years old, stands 6-foot-4, weighs 204 pounds, and shoots left. Here are seven things to know about Edmonton’s top 2026 draft pick.
He’s Played Several Years in North America
Berzkalns was barely a teenager when he moved from his home country to Rochester, N.Y., so that he could attend the Bishop Kearney hockey academy.
The Latvian played three seasons with the Bishop Kearney Selects teams across the U14, U15, and U18 levels. He joined the Lumberjacks for the 2024-25 season after being signed to a USHL tender.
He’s a Multi-Time Champion
In his first season at Bishop Kearney, 2022-23, Berzkalns racked up 75 points in 74 games as he helped the 14U Selects team win the USA Hockey national championship.
Two years later, during his first season with the Lumberjacks, Berzkalns was again part of a championship team, as Muskegon captured the Clark Cup in the 2025 USHL Playoffs.
He’s Played on the International Stage
Berzkalns has represented his country at each of the last two IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, helping Latvia qualify for the quarterfinals both times.
Against Canada during the preliminary round of the 2026 World Juniors in Minneapolis, Minn., Berzkalns scored one of the biggest goals of his career, putting the puck past netminder Jack Ivankovic with 1:58 left in the third to force overtime.
He’s Risen up the Rankings
Berzkalns appeared at No. 30 on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters for the 2026 NHL Draft, which marks a huge jump of 19 spots from his place on the midterm ranking, No. 49.
Among other notable rankings, Berzkalns was slotted 59th by Elite Prospects and at No. 65 by Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News.
He’s a Rarity in Oilers History
Berzkalns is only the third Latvian to be drafted by the Oilers during their NHL history, following fellow forwards Aleksandrs Kercs (60th overall in 1993) and Kristians Pelss (181st overall in 2010).
Kercs played five games for the Oilers in 1993-94, then returned to Europe, where he spent the remainder of his career. Pelss tragically passed away at the age of 20 in 2013, without having played an NHL game.
He’s Like Zach Hyman
Berzkalns is regarded for his ability to play in all three zones. When asked during his media availability on Saturday if there is a current Oilers player that his game compares to, winger Zach Hyman was mentioned.
“I feel like he’s just a power forward, net-front presence, and I feel like I’m a little bit like that too, so I would say that’s a bigger name for me,” Berzkalns said.
He’s Headed to College This Fall
Berzkalns is set to attend Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., where he will play for the Eagles men’s hockey team in the upcoming 2026-27 season. He was one of five future Boston College players selected during the 2026 NHL Draft.
One of the most storied programs in NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey history, Boston College was ranked 18th in the 2026 Postseason USA Hockey Men’s College Hockey Poll.
Before the 2026-27 season gets going, however, look for Berzkalns to be in Edmonton as part of Oilers rookie camp late this summer.
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