Devils Draft Alexander Command 12th Overall

With the 12th pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils have selected Alexander Command from Örebro HK U20 of the Nationell.

About Alexander Command

Alexander Command is one of those players who won’t garner headlines for his goal-scoring, but for the way he plays the game. While he can score goals and put up points, his work ethic and compete level will get him more attention in the NHL when he gets there. As we saw in the playoffs with Carolina Hurricanes’ captain Jordan Staal, those types of centers make an impact when the stakes are at their highest. There’s a lot of Staal in Command, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being a high-end two-way character player when he hits his prime.

Command scored an impressive 17 goals and 44 points in 30 games this season for Orebro in the Nationell. He also notched another five goals and 13 points in 14 playoff games, leading the team in scoring in the regular season and coming in third in the postseason. He suited up for six games in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), as well, but couldn’t get on the scoreboard.

THW Prospect Profile Excerpt

“Örebro HK U20’s Alexander Command is the perfect example of someone using their draft season to their advantage. He wasn’t talked about much at the start, but as the season went on, he became more noticeable and a player that garnered a lot of attention as he has become one of my favourites.

“This season, Command has impressed offensively, leading his team in scoring and finished ninth overall in league scoring with 17 goals and 44 points as a 17-year-old. In nine playoff games, he has nine points, showing his ability to still be productive and elevate his game at important moments. He’s a player that is relied on and it shows as the intensity, smarts and attention to detail is evident in his game. 

“Command’s trademark to his game is his high-end compete level and work ethic. There is hardly a shift where he’s on the ice and you don’t notice him getting involved in a play, a battle along the boards, disrupting plays to regain possession. He’s always aggressive on puck carriers and in the pursuit of loose pucks. He never shies away from the physical side as well as he has an edge and feistiness to his game that makes him succeed. If he has a chance to make a hit, he won’t hesitate to do so. He can provide great support for his teammates and shows great timing in order to step up and intercept pucks.”

Continue reading the full player profile here.

How This Affects the Devils’ Plans

On a team that already has a two-way dynamo in captain Nico Hischier, the Devils add another in Command. His all-around game, which could top out as Hischier or the Florida Panthers’ Anton Lundell, might help lead the Devils to a Stanley Cup one day. His type of game is what contenders win with, and the Devils got a good one in Command.