Nick Bogas – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Nick Bogas

2025-26 Team: USNTDP Juniors (USHL)
Date of Birth: Jul. 23, 2008
Place of Birth: Royal Oak, MI
Ht: 6-foot-0 Wt: 187 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Defence
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Ranking

Every now and then, a prospect emerges in the NHL Draft who harkens back to a forgotten era of hockey. In 2024, that was Stian Solberg, who exploded onto draft boards thanks to his punishing hits and his intense defensive play. He thrived at the 2024 World Championship and ended up going 23rd overall to the Anaheim Ducks after initially being projected as a mid-second-round pick.

This year, that player is Nick Bogas. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he regularly put his body on the line, averaging 2.5 hits per game for Team USA, the third-highest average of any player, and was one of the tournament’s best shot-blockers. But he was also very effective with the puck. In five games, he had the third-most takeaways on Team USA with seven, won 71% of his puck battles, and finished tied with the third-most goals among defencemen at the tournament. Claiming their first gold medal since 2004 was much easier with such a steady presence on their blueline.

Bogas was once again one of Team USA’s best defencemen at the U18 World Junior Championship in April, playing on the top pairing and consistently shutting down opposing stars. His lone goal came while playing shorthanded against Sweden, in which he forced a turnover and created a two-on-none, passing it back and forth with teammate Sammy Nelson before finally putting it past Sweden’s Viggo Tamm.

That play exemplifies Bogus’ style. He is an aggressive shutdown defenceman who will push opponents into making errors or onto their backs with a big hit, but he knows when to use his strength. While some big hitters will throw their weight around at every chance, Bogus bides his time, watching the play around him while positioning himself within reach of the high danger areas, and when someone gets too close, he can either use his long, active stick to break up the play, dive down to block a shot, or force the player to the outside.

However, unlike Solberg, Bogus hasn’t shown a lot of skill with the puck. He has a powerful shot from the point, which he used at least once a game on average, but that’s about the extent of his offensive impact. In 54 games with the USNTDP, he scored just two goals and recorded four assists. If he gets the puck in the defensive zone, he rarely carries it up through the neutral zone and instead will quickly send it to the nearest teammate. He also isn’t the quickest player on the ice due to his heavier stride, which further limits his potential as a play driver.

Yet that shouldn’t be a problem moving forward. Bogus plays the man, not the puck, and that works for him. No sense in changing things up before he heads off to Michigan State next season. He knows where he shines, and that’s in making his team a nightmare to play against.

Other THW Profiles

Nick Bogas – NHL Draft Projection

Before the NHL Draft Combine, Bogus would likely have been a late-round pick, but his invite to the prestigious event will certainly boost him up to a mid-round pick. Teams love a physical, old-school defenceman with room to grow, and he’s sure to win a few fans after the fitness testing.

Quotables

“Relentlessly physical, Bogas is a throwback defender. His physicality appears in just about every way possible, including crushing open-ice hits and net-front battles. Even his wrap-ups rattle boards.” Elite Prospects Draft Guide

“Bogas was one of USA’s best all-around defenders. I thought he played great in the opener against Slovakia and continued staying relevant in his own zone the rest of the way. Even when he wasn’t driving the play from the blue line, you noticed him for his skating and hockey sense. I didn’t know too much about him before but I liked him last week.” Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

“Bogas is an average-size, left-handed defenseman with good mobility and puck-handling skills. He was pretty quiet throughout the night offensively, as Waterloo was outplayed from the start on both sides of the puck. He did show his ability in spots to be a quick puck-moving blue liner, excelling in starting transitions from the defensive zone to the offensive zone with a pass or transporting the puck. He showed the ability to find shooting lanes. He will need to gain added muscle and strength for his commitment away from the puck and battles out front of the net and along the boards.” Neutral Zone

Strengths

• Physicality and willingness to put his body on the line
• Plays an aggressive, in-your-face defensive style
• Defensive awareness and positioning

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

• Skating
• Puckhandling
• On the smaller side for a physical, shutdown defenceman

NHL Potential

A mid-season leg injury limited some of Bogus’ development this season, but as of now, he projects to be a reliable, bottom-pairing defenceman at the pro level. He’ll need plenty of development time and likely will play out his eligibility with Michigan State before signing a contract. By then, he should have the strength to go up against some of the best hockey players in the world.

Risk/Reward Analysis

Risk: 4/5 Reward: 2/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offence: 4/10 Defence: 7/10

Awards/Achievements

• Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal
• U18 World Championship – Team USA

Interviews/Links

Videos