Jayden Kurtz has steadily transformed from a promising Minnesota high school player into one of the most intriguing defensemen available in the 2026 NHL Draft.
While his combination of size, skating ability, and hockey intelligence has already attracted NHL attention, those who know him best believe his ceiling remains considerably higher.
“I think I’m a really well-rounded 200-foot defenseman right now, and I’m only going to keep getting better,” Kurtz said. “I’ve only been playing defense full time for three years, so I feel like I’m just scratching the surface.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-shot defenseman from Rogers High School enters the draft after earning the highest ranking among Minnesota high school players on NHL Central Scouting’s final North American skater list, checking in at No. 61. Many evaluators project him as a second or third-round selection.
Rather than leaving high school early, Kurtz chose to finish his senior season in Rogers, following a path that several successful Minnesota players have taken before him.
“There have been a lot of Minnesota players who stayed for their senior year,” Kurtz said. “Getting one last season with your teammates, your friends, and your community made it a special experience.”
Kurtz served as an alternate captain during his senior campaign, recording 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points in just 26 games. His performance earned him recognition as a finalist for Minnesota’s prestigious Mr. Hockey Award, presented annually to the state’s top senior player.
In addition to his high school success, Kurtz gained valuable experience with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he contributed one goal and two assists while generating 30 shots on goal across 16 games. He is expected to return to Chicago next season before beginning his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin.
NHL Central Scouting evaluator Pat Cullen believes Kurtz’s development has accelerated throughout the season.
“He really emerged as one of the players we kept coming back to,” Cullen said. “He’s a big, skilled right-shot defenseman who plays smart hockey, contributes offensively, and is reliable defensively. He’s still developing, which makes him an exciting prospect.”
That continued growth comes as no surprise to Rogers High School head coach Dave Brown, who has coached Kurtz since before high school. Brown recalls that Kurtz’s path required patience, as his December birthday often meant competing against older, more physically mature players.
“He had to stay with it while others developed earlier,” Brown said. “Now he’s become one of the best players I’ve ever coached.”
Interestingly, Kurtz originally made his name as a forward. Brown believed his offensive instincts would translate even better from the blue line and encouraged him to make the switch before his sophomore season.
“I told him he could become one of the best forwards in the state,” Brown said. “But as a defenseman, I believed he had NHL potential.”
The transition has proven to be a pivotal moment in Kurtz’s development.
Today, he is trusted in every game situation, whether quarterbacking the power play, killing penalties, or logging heavy minutes against top competition. Coaches consistently praise his ability to process the game quickly and make the right decision under pressure.
“He understands what’s happening on the ice before most players do,” Brown said. “He doesn’t have to think about what he’s supposed to do. He simply reads the play and reacts.”
His brief experience with the Chicago Steel further strengthened his confidence. Rather than simply adjusting to the speed of junior hockey, Kurtz quickly demonstrated that he could handle the pace while contributing in transition and managing difficult defensive assignments.
Looking ahead, Kurtz is eager to spend a full season under Chicago Steel head coach Scott Gomez, whose NHL experience provides another valuable learning opportunity.
“I’m excited to learn from Coach Gomez,” Kurtz said. “He has so much NHL experience, and I want to keep asking questions and continue improving every day.”
Off the ice, Kurtz has dedicated significant time to physical development. Over the past two offseasons, he has added nearly 40 pounds while committing to weekly power-skating sessions designed to improve his explosiveness and mobility.
“As a bigger defenseman, skating is one of the biggest parts of your game,” Kurtz said. “You have to continue improving if you want to compete at higher levels.”
Brown has also watched Kurtz evolve into a vocal leader.
Although he didn’t wear a letter as a junior, Kurtz became one of Rogers’ emotional leaders during his senior season, particularly in pressure-filled moments.
“When the biggest moments came, his leadership really stood out,” Brown said. “He has a way of making the players around him better.”
As NHL organizations finalize their draft boards, Kurtz continues to generate significant interest across the league.
“I’ve talked with a lot of NHL teams about Jayden,” Brown said. “You can hear the excitement in their voices. They believe he’s a player with a very bright future.”
With another season of junior hockey ahead before arriving at Wisconsin, Kurtz appears well positioned to continue his upward trajectory as one of the most promising young defensemen in the 2026 draft class.
