West Des Moines, Iowa — Des Moines Buccaneers forward Blake Zielinski has been ranked 51st among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting's final 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 and ranked 56th in the NHLCS Midterm Rankings in January. He recently was named the recipient of the Uunited States Hockey League's 2026 Gaudreau Award, carrying on the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau through excellence in hockey, spirit of the game, and care and responsibility.

Through the 2025-26 season, has come in at over a point per game in the USHL, with 55P (25G, 30A) in 53 games played with the Buccaneers. 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. Zielinski also competed in the Chipotle All-American Game with other draft-eligible USHL prospects in January.

"The guys who play pro hockey and do it for a long time, it's no accident," said Head Coach and President of Hockey Ops Derek Damon. "I see those similar qualities in Blake. His day-to-day work ethic has earned him success this year, and he leads the way when it comes to attitude and effort."

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.