2026 NHL Draft Profile | Beckett Hamilton, Red Deer Rebels

Beckett Hamilton‘s stock is rising.

Just weeks after being named the captain of the Red Deer Rebels for 2026-27, the upstart forward is gearing up to, potentially, hear his name called at the 2026 NHL Draft.

“(That) would mean the world,” Hamilton grinned. “That’s the goal since I was a young kid, so it would be unbelievable to hear my name get called.

It’s been a lot, like, when you think back on it, even what my parents had to do to help me get here, it’s been a long, long road. Obviously, it’s not over, and it’s kind of just starting.”

The Canadian-American dual citizen paced the Rebels with 24 goals and 38 assists for 62 points in 67 games in his draft year.

But to get a full picture of his impact, you need to look not just at how many points he scored, but when he got them.

The season marked a new position for Hamilton and saw significant roster turnover for the Central Division club.

“He’s a puck possession player, wants it on his stick,” President and General Manager Brent Sutter said. “(He’s a) smart player that sees the ice well. Very heady player. It’s his first yar playing centre, it took time for him to adjust and second half, he felt comfortable.”

And, this is only a TASTE and what Beckett Hamilton brings to the table.@Rebelshockey | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/8ytXrxdW0m

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 20, 2026

Once Hamilton settled in, he was pure impact.

The 5-foot-11, 174-pound took off for 14 goals (including three game-winners), 22 assists, and an even rating in 34 games.

He also picked up as assist in a 5-4 win for Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game.

“Obviously, you see this year we’re quite a bit younger and don’t have the same team as we did last year at all, but I think it’s been good for us,” Hamilton said of his changing role. “It’s looking good for next year.”

Beyond game winners, the bulk of his tallies tied the game or opened the scoring for the Rebels.

Despite entering the postseason as the underdogs in a 1v8 matchup against the Eastern Conference champion Prince Albert Raiders, Hamilton muscled out five points (2G-3A) in five games.

Facing elimination and trailing 3-2 in Game 4, Hamilton buried a deceptive shot from the slot to tie the game and force overtime, where he served up the primary assist on Kalder Varga’s OT dagger.

TIE GAME! BECKETT HAMILTON!!! 🤩@Rebelshockey | #NHLDraft | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/FT5Osxah49

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) April 2, 2026

He scored again in Game 5, though Red Deer would ultimately bow out in a 5-4 heatbreaker.

Hamilton was named the Rebels’ Most Valuable Player for 2025-26 and has been announced as the incoming captain for September.

He also got the nod from Hockey Canada to don the Maple Leaf for the first time at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship.

With three goals and a +5 rating in five games, Hamilton finished second in goals by a Canadian skater and garnered further attention from NHL scouts.

Hamilton has been leaning on his dad, Lee, who played four years with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Medicine Hat Tigers before turning pro and eventually returning to the WHL as a scout, throughout the draft process and looks forward to celebrating with his family- should his name be called.

NHL Central Scouting has tagged Hamilton 33rd among all North American skaters in the agency’s final rankings leading into the 2026 NHL Draft.

Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft is set for Friday, June 26, with Rounds 2-7 to follow on Saturday, June 27.