NEXT GENERATION ARRIVES: 20 PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2026 PIHA DRAFT

The next generation of PIHA talent officially has a home.

The 2026 PIHA Draft brought 20 young players into the league as 10 PIHA organizations made selections across two rounds. The draft featured players from throughout the United States and Canada, including proven scorers, playmakers, defensemen and goaltenders who have already made their mark at State Wars, NDP and other high-level inline and ice hockey programs.

With each organization making one selection in each round, the night provided a first look at the players who could become an important part of the future of PIHA.

ROUND ONE

#1 — MATTHEW BLIVEN | LAKEWOOD FIRE

The Lakewood Fire opened the 2026 PIHA Draft by selecting Matthew Bliven of Thornton, Colorado, with the first overall pick. One of the most complete players in the 2011 class, Bliven brings a strong two-way game, excellent vision and a compete level that shows up every shift.

Bliven skated with 2011 Team Colorado at the 2026 State Wars Championships, helping the club capture gold in the AA Division. He was also selected to 14U Team West in the 2026 NDP Program.

A true 200-foot player who sees the rink extremely well, Bliven gives Lakewood a talented and competitive player to begin building around for the future.

#2 — AUSTIN SHAW | HOCKEY PLUS BLUE HEELS

The Hockey Plus Blue Heels selected Austin Shaw of Bergenfield, New Jersey, with the second overall pick. Shaw enters the PIHA with a strong offensive résumé and the ability to impact the game both with and without the puck.

Playing for 2011 Team New Jersey, Shaw recorded an impressive 13 goals and three assists for 16 points, finishing as the leading scorer in the A/B Division. He was also selected to 14U Team East in the 2026 NDP Program.

Shaw's ability to create and finish scoring opportunities gives Hockey Plus one of the most productive offensive players in the 2026 draft class.

#3 — BRADY GRAY | TORONTO 6'ERS

With the third overall pick, the Toronto 6'ers selected Brady Gray of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

A hard-working player who can both create opportunities and finish them himself, Gray recorded eight goals and five assists for 13 points during State Wars competition. He was also selected to Team USA East in the 2026 NDP Program, where he added a goal and three assists and finished second on the team in scoring.

Gray's combination of production, playmaking and work ethic gives Toronto another accomplished young player to add to its future.

#4 — EASTON JENSEN | MOTORCITY DIRTY DAWGS

The MotorCity Dirty Dawgs used Pick #4 to select Easton Jensen of Sherwood Park, Alberta.

At 6'1" and approximately 140 pounds, Jensen already possesses an intriguing combination of size and skill. Competing for Team Alberta Yellow in the AAA/AA Division at State Wars, Jensen led his team offensively with four points in four games.

His physical attributes, offensive ability and experience against AAA/AA competition give MotorCity a prospect with plenty of room to continue developing.

#5 — TREY JAMES | PHOENIX FLEAS

The Phoenix Fleas selected Trey James of Hendersonville, Tennessee, with the fifth overall pick.

A playmaking defenseman who brings positive energy to the rink, James produced one of the most eye-catching statistical performances in the draft class. Playing in the 2010 age group A/B Division, he recorded eight goals and two assists in four games, tying for the division scoring lead.

James gives Phoenix an offensive-minded defenseman capable of creating opportunities while bringing energy and competitiveness to the lineup.

#6 — BENJAMIN HA | DENVER DEMON DOGS

At #6, the Denver Demon Dogs selected Benjamin Ha of Fountain Valley, California.

A creative player with experience in both high-level inline and ice hockey, Ha has competed with the Goonies 16U AAA program and represented Team Southern California, recording two points in four State Wars games. He also continues his development on the ice with Fairmont Prep Academy.

His creativity, skill and passion for the game give Denver an intriguing prospect with significant developmental upside.

#7 — TYLER KENNEDY | BUFFALO WINGS

The Buffalo Wings selected Tyler Kennedy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the seventh overall pick.

Kennedy plays with passion, skates well and contributes at both ends of the rink. He was selected to 14U Team East in the 2026 NDP Program and scored 10 goals with Team Pennsylvania. Kennedy also received an opportunity to skate with the 21U Roadrunners at the NARCh Winternationals, giving him experience alongside significantly older competition.

His skating, versatility and competitive approach give Buffalo a player capable of impacting the game in several different ways.

#8 — NOAH SEIBERLICH | COLORADO SPRINGS THUNDER

The Colorado Springs Thunder stayed close to home with Pick #8, selecting goaltender Noah Seiberlich of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

An athletic, even-keeled goaltender who embraces competition, Seiberlich played with 2011 Team Colorado in the AAA/AA Division and was selected to 14U Team West in the 2026 NDP Program. He also continues his development on the ice with the Monument Hockey Academy 16U AAA/AA program.

The Thunder add a talented hometown goaltender with a strong developmental foundation and the opportunity to continue growing within the Colorado Springs organization.

#9 — BRAYDEN RUSSELL | SUFFOLK STING

The Suffolk Sting selected Brayden Russell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the ninth overall pick.

Russell brings tremendous hands and a natural ability to finish scoring opportunities. He competed with 2011 Team Colorado in the AAA/AA Division, helping the team capture gold in the AA Division at the 2026 State Wars Championships, and was selected to 14U Team West in the 2026 NDP Program.

On the ice, Russell played last season with the Colorado Springs Tigers 14U AA program. His hands, scoring touch and experience in both inline and ice hockey give Suffolk a dangerous offensive prospect to add to the organization.

#10 — LUCAS JOHNSON | PITTSBURGH INFERNO

The Pittsburgh Inferno closed Round One by selecting goaltender Lucas Johnson of Blackwood, New Jersey.

A hard-working and coachable goaltender, Johnson was named the 2025 State Wars Most Valuable Goalie and was selected to Team USA East in the 2026 NDP Program. He also plays throughout the year with the Hollydell Heatwave, providing continued opportunities to develop his game between major events.

Johnson's work ethic, coachability and experience between the pipes make him one of the most accomplished young goaltenders in the 2026 PIHA Draft class.

ROUND TWO

With the first round complete, all 10 organizations returned to the board looking to add another piece to their future. Round Two brought another diverse group of prospects into the PIHA, including scorers, playmakers, developing goaltenders and players with considerable long-term upside.

#11 — OWEN MEYER | LAKEWOOD FIRE

The Lakewood Fire opened Round Two by selecting Owen Meyer of Denver, Colorado. The tall, rangy Team Colorado product brings good vision and grit to the rink and recorded four goals and two assists in six games while competing in the AAA/AA Division.

#12 — DEREK BLOEMENDAAL | HOCKEY PLUS BLUE HEELS

The Hockey Plus Blue Heels selected Derek Bloemendaal of Westminster, Colorado with Pick #12. A tall, skilled player with a good shot, Bloemendaal helped 2011 Team Colorado capture gold in the AA Division at the 2026 State Wars Championships and also develops his game on the ice with the RoughRiders program in Boulder.

#13 — COLTON CARADONNA | TORONTO 6'ERS

At #13, the Toronto 6'ers selected Colton Caradonna of Sherwood Park, Alberta. At 6'2" and approximately 165 pounds, Caradonna combines impressive physical attributes with a playmaking mentality and strong work ethic.

#14 — MASON PLANCHARD | MOTORCITY DIRTY DAWGS

The MotorCity Dirty Dawgs went to the crease with Pick #14, selecting goaltender Mason Planchard of O'Fallon, Missouri. Planchard represented Team Missouri, earned a selection to Team USA Central in the 2026 NDP Program, and posted a 3-0-1 record with a 3.25 goals-against average.

#15 — TYLER REGER | PHOENIX FLEAS

The Phoenix Fleas selected Tyler Reger of Deptford, New Jersey at #15. A fierce competitor who refuses to back down, Reger scored five goals in four games while helping Team New Jersey capture a 2026 State Wars championship.

#16 — HUNTER MOSELY | DENVER DEMON DOGS

With Pick #16, the Denver Demon Dogs selected goaltender Hunter Mosely of Krum, Texas. Mosely brings good hockey IQ and sound fundamentals between the pipes and posted an impressive 2.00 goals-against average during State Wars competition.

#17 — MAXX BEGDORIAN | BUFFALO WINGS

The Buffalo Wings used the 17th overall selection on Maxx Begdorian of Portland, Oregon. Begdorian possesses good overall skill and has developed a reputation as a competitor who battles for loose pucks and isn't afraid to do the work required to gain possession.

#18 — LIAM MEREDITH | COLORADO SPRINGS THUNDER

The Colorado Springs Thunder selected Liam Meredith of Wernersville, Pennsylvania at #18.

Meredith is a smart, patient player with the puck who has competed primarily at the AA level and earned a spot with 14U Team East in the 2026 NDP Program. Skilled but still developing, Meredith gives the Thunder an intriguing prospect with considerable room to grow.

#19 — CASEY SELZER | SUFFOLK STING

At #19, the Suffolk Sting selected Casey Selzer of Amelia, Virginia. An all-around player and good skater, Selzer represented Team Virginia and gives Suffolk a prospect with a balanced game and a solid foundation for continued development.

#20 — MIA IANNELLA | PITTSBURGH INFERNO

The Pittsburgh Inferno closed the 2026 PIHA Draft by selecting Mia Iannella with the 20th overall pick.

A longtime Team Colorado player, Iannella competes at both ends of the rink, refuses to back down and brings tremendous upside along with a passion for the game that is second to none.

Iannella also became the first female player selected in the 2026 PIHA Draft, providing a memorable finish to Round Two and putting an exclamation point on the league's newest draft class.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF PIHA

From Matthew Bliven hearing his name called first overall by Lakewood to Mia Iannella closing the night at Pick #20, the 2026 PIHA Draft introduced a diverse group of young players from across North America to their new organizations.

For the players, the draft represents another step in their development and an opportunity to become part of the PIHA family. For the 10 organizations, it is an investment in the future as they begin building relationships with players who could eventually make their mark at the league's highest levels.

Two rounds. Twenty selections. Ten organizations.

The 2026 PIHA Draft class is officially set — and the next generation of PIHA begins now.