11 Youngest Players In The NHL Right Now

Getting onto an NHL roster before reaching age 20 is one of the most challenging accomplishments in professional hockey.

Every year, some of the best-rated prospects enter into training camps hoping to come out of training camp with spots on their NHL Teams; however, only a very small number actually make it on an NHL roster as a permanent player.

Many of the best-rated teenage prospects got some NHL time before being sent back to their respective junior teams and/or AHL for further development. Players such as Braeden Cootes, Brady Martin, Matvei Gridin, and Jett Luchanko all had a chance to play in the NHL but were sent to their junior/a minor league teams because they needed further development.

A few of the teenage players who were given an opportunity at the beginning of this season have stuck around. Some are already producing at very high levels; other are still developing their skills against the strongest competition in the world.

Youngest NHL Players Right Now

Here’s a closer look at the 11 youngest players currently playing in the NHL-

Player	Age	Team
Schaefer	18	Islanders
Ben Kindel	18	Pittsburgh Penguins
Michael Misa	18	San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini	19	San Jose Sharks
Sam Dickinson	19	San Jose Sharks
Harrison Brunicke	19	Pittsburgh Penguins
Zayne Parekh	19	Calgary Flames
Beckett Sennecke	19	Anaheim Ducks
Berkly Catton	19	Seattle Kraken
Ivan Demidov	19	Montreal Canadiens
Zeev Buium	19	Minnesota Wild

1. Matthew Schaefer

Matthew Schaefer is the youngest player to play in the NHL today – and he has already met all of the expectations people held for him.

Despite being just recently drafted out of junior hockey, clubs and coaches have had him on the ice for a significant number of minutes, and he has shown that he can not only produce offensively but also develop trust from coaches to be put in all types of game situations.

Coaches were impressed immediately with Schaefer’s skating ability when he entered training camp, but since then, they have been even more impressed with Schaefer’s competitiveness and defensive awareness.

In addition to everything Schaefer has done thus far in the NHL, he has adjusted to the level of play very quickly, especially when considering that he only played 17 games in his draft year due to a broken collarbone.

Overall, Schaefer not only appears to be the youngest player to play in the NHL, but he also has all of the makings of being an elite young player within the league.

2. Ben Kindel

Ben Kindel recently crossed the important nine-game threshold that officially activates the first year of his NHL contract.

The young forward has adapted well in a depth role for Pittsburgh and has impressed coaches with his intelligence and composure. Even though the Penguins are limiting pressure on him, he has looked far more comfortable than many expected from one of the league’s youngest players.

3. Michael Misa

Michael Misa entered the NHL carrying massive hype, and while his offensive production is still developing, his overall game has already stood out.

Young centres often struggle in faceoffs and defensive situations, but Misa has looked surprisingly composed. The offensive creativity is there, and as his confidence grows, the production should follow.

San Jose suddenly looks loaded with elite young talent down the middle.

4. Macklin Celebrini

It is already evident that Macklin Celebrini is going to be a franchise superstar. The center for the Sharks has had success on the offensive side of the puck, as well as being a responsible two–way player, when typically teenage players would not be asked to play those types of roles.

His level of maturity, work ethic and two-way game have impressed many veterans in the league, including Sidney Crosby. With Macklin as their focal point, it is clear to everyone that the Sharks are rebuilding around him.

5. Sam Dickinson

Sam Dickinson has also quietly been performing well on a Sharks team that is going through a rebuild, while playing against competition that could be considered difficult minutes for a young player.

The young defenseman has not had a terrific scoring season thus far, but the Sharks like what they have seen from him in both skating and puck movement.

Even though he currently has a poor plus–minus, the underlying numbers show that he has had a very successful time on the ice, which is a good sign for a young defenseman trying to make the transition to the NHL.

6. Harrison Brunicke

Harrison Brunicke has received less fanfare compared to some of the league‘s headline rookies. However, the Pittsburgh Penguins feel he can provide long-term value.

The Penguins have been consistently monitoring Brunicke’s minutes while allowing him the time to acclimate himself to the NHL physically and mentally.

Although he may take longer than others on this list to develop, the Penguins feel that the combination of his size and skating ability will, in time, have value to them on the blue line.

7. Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh’s offensive numbers in junior hockey were absurd for a defenseman, and Calgary hopes that creativity eventually translates consistently at the NHL level.

The Flames have already handed him power-play responsibilities, but adjusting to the speed and structure of NHL hockey has created some early struggles. Still, few young defensemen possess his natural attacking instincts.

Calgary remains patient because the long-term upside is enormous.

8. Beckett Sennecke

At 6-foot-3, Beckett Sennecke already possesses the size NHL teams crave in modern forwards.

What makes him especially dangerous is his soft hands and ability to create scoring chances around the net. Anaheim has trusted him in a top-six role early, which says plenty about how highly the organization views his future.

The defensive side of his game still needs polishing, but the offensive tools are clearly there.

9. Berkly Catton

Berkly Catton’s transition to the NHL has been interesting so far.

After dominating in junior hockey, the young forward initially struggled for consistent ice time before finally earning opportunities in Seattle’s top-six rotation. His hockey IQ and skating ability remain his biggest strengths, but the Kraken still face an important decision regarding his long-term development.

If he is eventually sent back to junior hockey, he could become one of Canada’s biggest stars at the World Juniors.

10. Ivan Demidov

Ivan Demidov has quickly made a name for himself as a top prospect in the world of hockey. With outstanding skills, creativity, and vision, along with the ability to make plays with speed on the ice, he has already become a fan favourite in Montreal and is thought to be one of the team‘s key players for years to come.

He was recently promoted to the Montreal Canadiens‘ main power play unit, proving that the franchise has faith in him.

If he can find a way to shoot the puck more often, his offensive production will increase dramatically.

11. Zeev Buium

After becoming one of the best young offensive defensemen in hockey, Zeev Buium came into the league with a lot of hype.

The smooth-skating defenseman appears to already be very comfortable running the Minnesota Wild‘s power play and has shown moments of having outstanding puck movement.