Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - In the days leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, WGR will provide profiles on some players that could be available for the Sabres with the 20th overall pick in the first round.
Schenectady, N.Y. native Tommy Bleyl took a bit of an unconventional route to becoming a top defensive prospect available in the 2026 NHL Draft. After trying to go the USA Hockey route and a brief stint with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, Bleyl ended up deciding to take a gamble with his draft year and join the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
It was a decision that paid massive dividends for the right-shot defenseman.
In his first season with Moncton, Bleyl became one of the best defenders in the QMJHL with 13 goals and 68 assists for 81 points in 63 games played. He then followed that up with a stellar playoffs for the Wildcats with 28 points (6+22) in 21 games, as Moncton made it back to the QMJHL Final, only to lose to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.
Not only did Bleyl finish the 2025-26 season with the most points and assists by a defenseman in the QMJHL, but he also was named to the league's All-Rookie Team, was a First-Team All-Star, earned Rookie of the Year honors, and was also named the Defenseman of the Year.
Some argue Bleyl is the most complete skater in the entire draft, and there's certainly good reason for it.
Bleyl is very fluid on his feet, and glides around the ice from the back end with good balance, structure and edge work to make him very dangerous. Paired with his clean footwork, he's got good burst and acceleration to his stride, making it seem effortless to motor all over the ice. While Bleyl is not a blazing skater, he is very rarely ever caught off guard or beaten on a play due to a lack of speed or positioning.
He is also very confident to skate with a puck on his own, and will go create a chance for himself below the faceoff dots from time-to-time when it presents itself.
Despite a smaller frame at 6-foot and 170 pounds, Bleyl makes up for the size by being a smart and heady player on the blue line. In transition, he's always got his head up, and makes quick and decisive passes to get the puck up ice and on the attack. In the offensive zone, his eyes are looking to the net not always for scoring chances, but more so for finding teammates along the way for a tip-in goal or something off a leg, skate or whatever body part that's legal to score with.
Defensively, Bleyl is safe and composed, not putting himself at too much risk of getting caught puck watching or out of position.
Bleyl's vision is also key with his puck movement, as he makes smart and concise decisions that not just avoid dangerous chances going back the other way, but that also create a quality scoring chances for his teammates.
While Bleyl doesn't have the most powerful shot in his arsenal, he does a nice job of using his vision and skating to find open spots in the high slot and getting pucks through traffic to the net.
Size and strength will likely be the biggest growth needed for Bleyl. While he doesn't have to be this massive physical presence, he does need to get a bit stronger to withstand the elevated physicality he will face once he climbs the ladder to make a push for the NHL.
According to Elite Prospects, Bleyl is set to return to Moncton for one more season next year before making the jump to the college ranks and joining Michigan State University. If Bleyl can continue to ride this past season and build off that momentum, he'll be a solid find for a team picking in the mid-to-late first-round range.
