The Vancouver Canucks selected incoming Boston University freshman center Caleb Malhotra with the 3rd pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
In October, Malhotra earned an A ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List, projecting him as a first-round pick and 11th overall prospect in the 2026 draft class.
After posting 26 points in 43 games for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL, Malhotra burst onto the scene in his first year with the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs, tallying 84 points in 67 games in the 2025-26 season, second amongst OHL rookies.
“I thought he was impressive in the BCHL. In the OHL, he was even better.” ESPN NHL analyst John Buccigross said of Maholtra.
He continued his high level of play into the postseason, posting 26 points in 15 playoff games, finishing fifth in the OHL in playoff scoring and scoring a league-leading seven postseason power-play goals.
His stellar play with the Bulldogs made him shoot up NHL draft boards. After not being featured on some NHL draft analysts’ mock drafts this time last year, Malhotra ended the 2026 season as the highest-rated center and sixth-rated prospect among North American skaters in the 2026 draft class, according to NHL.com.
Aside from his gaudy offensive numbers, Malhotra’s hockey IQ, physicality and two-way play are the skills NHL scouts believe set him apart from other prospects in his class.
Malhotra is no stranger to NHL arenas. His father, Manny Malhotra, played for seven NHL teams over his 16-year, 991-game career and was recently announced as the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
“Unbelievable, this is just beyond a dream come true,” Maholtra said. “As a kid, this is exactly what you dream of.”
Malhotra will enter his freshman season at Boston University as one of the premier freshman talents in college hockey, and both Terriers and Canucks fans will keep a close eye on his development.
This story will be updated.