Blake Zielinski – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

2025-26 Team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Date of Birth: March 5, 2008
Place of Birth: Berlin, New Jersey
Ht: 5-foot-11 Wt: 188 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Forward
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

• NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings (NA Skaters): 51st
• Baracchini’s Top 96 March Rankings- THW: 87th
• Forbes’ Top 96 April Rankings- THW: 64th
• Gabriel Foley: 45th
• Elite Prospects: 81st

Blake Zielinski is one of many high-level forwards out of the United States Hockey League (USHL) this draft cycle. He plays with high compete and is not afraid to be physical, and consistently makes the right plays.

He finished second on his team in scoring with 55 points, including 25 goals and 30 assists, and averaged 1.04 points per game over 53 regular-season games. He added two goals in the Clark Cup Playoffs and also played three games this season for the U.S. National Under-18 Team.

He has a snipe of a wrist shot, elite hands in tight on goalies, and can break out on odd-man rushes and make teams pay for defensive lapses. He is not afraid to get to the net, battle in front, clean up rebounds, and playing with that willingness adds another layer to his offensive game.

Last August, he was one of, if not the best, forwards in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as Team USA won the gold medal. They took down Canada on the way, and he played a major role in that run. His scoring production also took a noticeable jump from his first USHL season, when he recorded 32 points in 41 games.

He was elite on the power play this season, scoring eight power-play goals, with his wrister and plays down low becoming a real weapon.

By the end of the season, he was playing right wing on the second line. Des Moines was eliminated in the first round of the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs by the Lincoln Stars, but he remained one of their most consistent forwards all season.

Zielinski is joining the Providence Friars next fall and should be an elite addition to their forward group and special teams. Providence ran an okay 20% power play last season in Hockey East. The conference is not going to have another down season, and he will help them in a lot of areas, so it will be interesting to watch his transition to the college game.

NHL Draft Projections

Zielinski is likely a mid-to-late second-rounder, but he definitely has the upside to be picked in the early second round.

Other THW Profiles

• Jack Hextall
• Jimmy Rieber
• Rudolfs Berzkalns

Quotables

“Makes plays to the front of the net with poise, finesse, and consistency. He isn’t a flashy, overwhelming skill-player. Insetad, Zielinski is calculated and careful. He can make small plays to extend looks and wait for the right moment. He sees small lanes and finds teammates in front. But doesn’t have much drive to get to the inside on his own.” – Gabriel Foley

“Despite his elite talent, Blake competes with humility and respect for the game. He understands that success is built through team effort, and he consistently uses his ability not just to stand out, but to lift the performance and confidence of everyone around him.” – Des Moines Head Coach Derek Damon

“Spending most of his time on the top line with Noah Davidson and Jack Hextall, Zielinski was USA’s (Hlinka) top point producer and offensive driver in the tournament. He finished with four goals and nine points in the tournament and constantly generating quality looks and being involved in the offensive zone. He was creating plays and finishing them off with his quick shot and was always in the right place at the right time. He was a big reason why USA came out on top and won gold for the second time at the event.” – THW’s Peter Baracchini

Strengths

• 200-Foot Game
• Elite Playmaker
• Unselfish Player
• Snipe & Accurate Wrist Shot
• Net-Front Presence
• Elite Hands in Tight
• Playing Off the Puck & Positioning

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

• Skating & Pace
• Strength
• Creativity at Times & Can Be Predictable
• Shot Selection

NHL Potential

Zielinski projects as a future middle-six NHL winger/center and has the ability to play both spots. He can take faceoffs, but he also plays very well off the puck, on the flanks, off the wall, and driving the middle. He can play on the power play and is a real weapon there, especially with his shot and ability to work off the wall.

He will keep developing in Hockey East, which had a down season but should be back to form in the fall. As a Providence College commit, he will face high-level programs like Boston University and Boston College.

Risk/Reward Analysis

Risk – 2.5/5, Reward – 4/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 7.5/10, Defense – 6.5/10

Awards/Achievements

• WJAC-19 Gold Medal (2025-26)
• Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal (2025-26)
• All-USHL Third Team (2025-26)
• USHL Gaudreau Award (2025-26)

Interviews/Links

• BEHIND THE BUC: BLAKE ZIELINSKI – Des Moines Buccaneers

Stats

Videos