West Des Moines, Iowa — Des Moines Buccaneers forward Blake Zielinski has been ranked 56th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Zielinski was listed as a B-rated player on the NHLCS preliminary players to watch list ahead of the 2025-26 season. Zielinski has gained experience on the international stage this year, competing and winning gold with Team USA at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the World Junior "A" Challenge. So far this season, he has come in at almost a point per game in the USHL, with 24P (9G, 15A) in 25 games played with the Buccaneers.
Zielinski is set to compete with Team Blue in the Chipotle All-American Game this Thursday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. EST at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. There, he will join other top draft-eligible USHL prospects. The Chipotle All-American Game can be streamed live on NHL Network.
The 2026 NHL Draft is set to take place in Buffalo, N.Y., at KeyBank Center on June 26-27, 2026. Round one will take place Friday night, with rounds 2-7 taking place Saturday. The draft will feature a decentralized format, with teams operating in their home markets, similar to the 2025 NHL Draft.
About the Buccaneers
Founded in 1980, the Des Moines Buccaneers are a proud member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's premier junior hockey league. The Bucs have a history of success in the USHL, including 4 Clark Cup Championships, 4 Anderson Cup Championships, and 54 alumni drafted to the National Hockey League, including Stanley Cup Champions Kyle Okposo, Alex Chiasson, Trevor Lewis, Davis Drewiske, and Erik Cole. The organization is committed to developing young players on and off the ice, preparing them for a future in collegiate and professional careers. Known for their passionate fan base, the Bucs play their home games at The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, a multi-sport complex in West Des Moines, Iowa.
To learn more, visit www.bucshockey.com or follow the Bucs on social media: @bucshockey on X and Instagram, @desmoinesbuccaneers on TikTok, and Des Moines Buccaneers on Facebook. For more information about ticket packages, including season and group outings, please contact (515) 278-2827.
