The 'Bona Fide NHL No. 1' Quote That Will Make Scouts Drool Over Tobias Trejbal

Okay, hockey fanatics, let's talk about something serious. The Youngstown Phantoms, a junior hockey program, has been absolutely CRANKING out NHL talent. We're talking 14 players drafted since 2023 when coach Ryan Ward and co-GMs Jason Deskins and Ryan Kosecki teamed up. Fourteen! One of their guys, Jacob Fowler, already hit the ice for the Montreal Canadiens this season, grabbing nine wins and a .908 save percentage in 17 games. Another, Charlie Cerrato, even made his pro debut with the Chicago Wolves. And guess what? They're not slowing down. Seven more Phantoms are turning heads for the upcoming NHL Draft, and one goalie in particular is being talked about as *the* guy.

This Goalie of the Year Is Built for the Big Show

First up, let's talk about Tobias Trejbal, ranked third among North American goalies. This dude is the real deal. He just finished his rookie USHL year as the 2025-26 Goaltender of the Year, snagging first-team All-USHL and All-Rookie honors. Trejbal played 42 games in their Anderson Cup-winning season and put up a .916 save percentage. Coach Ward isn't holding back, calling him “an unflappable kid, super athletic.” Ward says his "hands have developed nicely, tracks pucks really well, obviously massive athletic frame, everything that you would want in an NHL No. 1 goaltender." Seriously, he dropped a bomb, saying Trejbal is “a bona fide NHL No. 1.” That's a statement, right? Trejbal is committed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, so you know he's got that college pedigree coming too.

Scoring, Gold, and an "Unbelievable Leader"

But it's not just goalies turning heads. Ja

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ck Hextall, ranked 34th among North American skaters, is a forward who can do it all. He was the highest-scoring under-18 player in the USHL this past season, putting up 58 points from 20 goals and 38 assists in 59 games. Oh, and he also represented Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, helping them snag a gold medal. He was the second-leading scorer on that squad with seven points, including a goal and two assists in the championship game against Sweden! Coach Ward raves about him, calling Hextall a "200-foot center. He can play all three zones, super competitive, super smart." Ward even said he's “developed into an unbelievable leader. He’s a winning hockey player.” Hextall is set to play for Michigan State in the fall.

A Beast on the Blue Line

And we can't forget about Axel Brongel-Larsson, ranked 59th among European skaters. This 6-foot-1 left-shot defenseman is a third-round selection in the 2026 USHL Phase II Draft and will be suiting up for the Phantoms next season. Ward describes him as a "big, strong shutdown defenseman. He loves to hit, he’s physical, he’s got a good first pass." This guy is coming over from Europe with some serious experience, including three games in Sweden’s top league and even captaining Frolunda’s U20 team. Ward believes he'll "play at the top of our defensive pairings" and "be counted on to munch minutes." Sounds like a foundational piece, right? With seven players drawing NHL scout attention, including another scoring threat in Evan Jardine who had 61 points last season, the Phantoms are clearly a powerhouse. These guys are putting in the work, and draft day is gonna be electric. We can't wait to see where these talents land and how they shake up the league!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.