2026 NLL Draft - Stock Watch
Every summer, players have the chance to raise their value in the NLL Draft through standout play. Whether it’s Junior or Senior ranks in Canada, there are players every year that jump up the board by showing out at National Championships or over the course of a season.
We want to take a look at some of those individuals who have stood out with their respective teams this year.
Let’s jump in and look at some risers in the 2026 NLL Draft.
Photo: Owen Sound North Stars
Xander Derkatz, RF, Siena & Owen Sound (MSL)
Derkatz was featured in our 26 prospects to watch for the 2026 Draft, and after a rookie 2025 campaign that saw him post 35 assists and 47 points, he’s followed up with another strong offensive showing this year.
Through nine games to this point in the year, the Windsor, Ontario native has already bettered last year’s goal total, posting 13 so far this summer. He’s added 15 assists for 28 points, sitting as Owen Sound’s points leader while being 16th best league-wide. With an Owen Sound squad that has younger talent than most Major Series Lacrosse teams, it gives players like Derkatz some added exposure and touches against NLL competition. That will help him while he heads into the draft.
A strong feeder with a nose for the net, Derkatz also possesses a strong shot and good hands in tight. Pocketing two standout summers in senior ball will only help the righty find a home come September and the draft.
Photo: Owen Sound North Stars
Cal Brennan, RF, Robert Morris & Owen Sound (MSL)
Brennan is another individual we had as a player to watch in this class, and with a strong showing in Owen Sound this summer, Brennan is living up to expectations heading into the draft.
With six goals and 27 points, he’s been able to be third in scoring on an Owen Sound squad that is younger. Sitting 19th in MSL scoring, it’s more about the reps Brennan is getting against NLL competition than the totals he puts up. His game is more predicated on his style than his stats.
The Windsor, Ontario native plays a simple and effective game. He’s a classic crease guy who is a strong presence in the two-man game. He’s a good pick setter, and when he rolls to the cage, he’ll more often than not put the ball in the net. A smart player who plays within himself and rarely makes mistakes, Brennan is going to be a safe pick for whoever picks him up. The floor is strong for him, and he has room to grow as an offensive talent. Expect to see the righty get a look in the second round or soon after.
Photo: David Pickering/Peterborough Lakers
Shane Halliwell, LF, Newberry & Cobourg (MSL)
Halliwell is a fun story emerging in this draft. The Cambridge, Ontario product declared early for the 2025 NLL Draft but was left undrafted following a pair of seasons in the OSL with Hamilton. The lefty made the jump up to Major Series Lacrosse this year and has been a strong offensive threat for the Kodiaks.
He’s averaging a goal per game and has 29 points in 11 outings, which puts him fourth in scoring on his team behind only Alex Marinier, Brock Haley, and Aaron Woods. He’s also currently 15th in MSL scoring at the time of writing.
Halliwell is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound lefty with a strong shot and instincts. He’s also willing to throw his weight around to open up teammates on picks, and his strong motor puts him in good positions to produce chances.
A 2001-born player, Halliwell is going to be one of the older prospects in this draft class, but with three years of senior ball under his belt, he’ll also be one of the most experienced against older competition. With the lefties not being as top heavy in this class, look for a team to take a stab at Halliwell in the middle rounds this year.
Photo: BCJALL
Greyson Beggs, G, Delta/Victoria (BCJALL)
Beggs is a player who has forced his way into the conversation as a goaltender taken in this draft with his standout play in the crease in the BCJALL this summer. Goaltenders that can post a save percentage North of .850 don’t come around very often, and with an .869 while manning the crease for Delta, he’s among the best in a province that features both the Khan brothers and now, 2025 first-rounder Kiigs Shognosh.
Beggs’ play was so strong that Victoria scooped him up at the BC deadline to fill in for Grayson Manning while he recovers from injury.
The 2005-born shot-stopper can declare for this year’s draft, gain some experience if he’s taken, and then look to continue his development in the WLA next summer.
Photo: Langley Thunder
Alex Lemieux, RD, Queen’s (NC) & Langley (WLA)
Experience plays a big part in assessing whether a certain prospect can take the next step into the big leagues, and Lemieux is one defender in this class who will not only have two summers of senior ball under his belt come the draft, but he’s also had a swath of big-game experience in junior.
The Edmonton, Alberta native played for his hometown Miners in the RMJALL, featuring in the team’s back-to-back Minto Cup appearances in 2023 and 2024, respectively. That extra experience played a big role in his development, and he’s shown with the Thunder that he can handle playing against senior competition. With a 6-foot-, 190-pound frame and transition upside, he’s a dependable player who can log minutes out of the back gate.
With a nine-point year as a rookie in Langley last summer, Lemieux is sitting at three goals and six points so far this summer. Another player who has bettered his stock with solid two-way play this year, the Alberta boy is going to be a target on draft day.
Photo: Kaylen Lomas/WLA
Finn Halladay, RF, Drexel & Burnaby (WLA)
Halladay is one of the best young players in the Western Lacrosse Association this year, as after a move to Burnaby, he’s found his groove in his second season of senior ball.
Currently sitting with 14 goals and 29 points for 43 points through 13 outings this summer, he sits behind only Marcus Klarich, Tyler Pace, Marshal King, and Zach Manns for the WLA lead in assists this summer. That’s very good company, especially for a player looking to hear his name called in a few months.
The Penticton, BC product has proven he’s a strong finisher, but he can also pot the ball, frequently going underneath and lowering his shoulder to accept contact if it leads to a goal. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound righty has a pro-ready frame and has shown his ability to produce against top defenders on the other side. If he keeps it up, he’ll only continue to improve his stock for the 2026 NLL Draft.
Photo: Kaylen Lomas/WLA
Matthew Boas, LF, Montevallo & Nanaimo (WLA)
Boas loves to shoot the rock! And can do so from all over the floor. But he’s not all about the goals, as he continues to be a very adept passer of the ball as well. He’s averaging just under a goal a game in the WLA this summer, and he’s posted 19 assists for 30 points total with Nanaimo.
He hasn’t seen much success in the postseason, but that’s obviously not his fault. He’s a player that will need further development before he hits his stride in the NLL, but the ceiling is very enticing for the lefty.
Photo: Dave Fryer/Orangeville Northmen
Justin Lee, RF/T, Albany & Oakville (MSL)
Another player that we had in our top prospects in this draft, we had previously listed Lee as a transition player after he spent last summer playing out the back gate for Brooklin. But following a trade to Oakville, he’s gone back up front, where he spent his junior career in Mimico.
It’s paid dividends for the tall righty, as he’s had 12 goals and 23 points in 10 outings. The offensive output really isn’t what changes Lee’s stock in this draft. He was already likely going to be a first-round pick, or at the very least, an early second-rounder. But it’s the display of versatility that will make headlines as we near the draft. NLL teams will love that Lee can check multiple boxes and be a plug-and-play guy depending on what they need on their roster. He’s been a solid junior forward who can put up points and also play a role when needed, and with his experience as a long-stick midfielder and a defender as a rookie in box, Lee can comfortably play anywhere on the floor.
Add onto that his 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame, and Lee becomes a pretty easy sell to any NLL team.
Photo: Carter Smith/Toronto Beaches
David Peterkin, RT, Hobart & Six Nations (MSL/OSL)
Peterkin is an energizer bunny who was one of the most athletic transition players in Canada during his junior days. When he gets up to top speed, there aren’t many individuals who can keep pace. When the ball is dropping for Peterkin, he’s an extremely dangerous two-way player. He had a pair of double-digit point seasons with the Beaches, and while the numbers don’t jump off the page, he was getting multiple chances a game to put points up for his team.
This summer, Peterkin has been pulling double duty with the Chiefs and Rivermen in Six Nations. In the MSL, he’s also been playing up front — something he did very seldom in his five years in the OJLL. But the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario native has shown promise, posting five goals and 11 points in five outings with the Chiefs to start this season. In Senior B, he’s putting up three points a game, with 18 over six contests.
Like Lee, this added layer of diversity in where you can plug him in a lineup is going to help his stock. He’s more than likely a transition player at the next level, but if he can be trusted to take shifts with the Chiefs’ high-powered offence, then there could be some upside for him out the front gate as well.
Photo: Rebecca Lee/Mimico Mountaineers
Anselmo Rego, RD, Lindenwood & Mimico/Kitchener (OJLL)
Rego is a newcomer to our lists, and for good reason. The defender returned to play for his hometown Mountaineers two summers ago, and that set the stage for an outstanding 2026 campaign.
With 19 appearances between Mimico and Kitchener this year, Rego has 14 goals and 26 points in transition. That’s on top of the seven goals and 15 points he had a year ago. The 5-foot-9, 176-pounder is a handful on the back end. When he gets a head of steam, there are very few who can slow him down on the way to the cage. He’s got a great motor and is a pain to play against as a forward because of his relentless style.
Rego is a player we’ll have to wait and see on when it comes to the NLL Draft, however. He currently goes to Lindenwood, where he plays hockey. He would have to renounce his eligibility in order to join this class. If he chooses to return to school, then we’ll be looking at him in future drafts. But he’s proven that he’s a legitimate prospect to keep an eye on in the future.