Ducks select Mathis Preston No. 50 overall in 2026 NHL Draft

The Anaheim Ducks have selected forward Mathis Preston with the No. 50 overall selection of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Preston was projected to be selected around 23rd overall on average across all of the main draft rankings, going as high as 7th and as low as 46th. He was also ranked 32nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis projected him to be selected around the consensus at 22nd overall.

Ellis had this to say about Preston in his most recent draft rankings:

“Once viewed as a potential top-10 pick, Preston left scouts wanting more during the season. They fell in love again at the U-18s, where he was one of Canada’s top players every single game. He’s an undeniably talented player who could become a top-six threat down the line. Preston has a remarkable shot and often wastes no time firing in the back of the net from the slot. It’s NHL-ready right now – something very few 17/18-year-olds can claim. Preston consistently finds open space, but he can also create those opportunities with his skating. He’s fast, can start and stop on a dime and can often skate himself out of dangerous situations.”

Preston played the entirety of his 2025-26 season in the Western Hockey League. He began the year with the Spokane Chiefs, where he accumulated 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points in 36 games. He was then dealt to the Vancouver Giants in January, where he finished out the season and put up four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 10 games. The Penticton, British Columbia product did not get into playoff action with the Giants, as they finished last in the Western Conference with a 25-39-2-2 record.

Preston also represented Canada at the World U-18 Championship, where he tied for second on the team in scoring with two goals and four assists for six points in five games as Canada fell to Sweden in the quarterfinals.