#46– Albert Smits, Latvia
Live Scouting: Germany 4 vs Latvia 1
By Jocke Andersson, Head Scout Sweden
Name: Albert Smits
Position: Defenseman (Left Shot)
Date of Birth: December 2, 2007
Height/Weight: 6’3” / 205 lbs (191 cm / 93 kg)
Nationality: Latvia
Current Team: Jukurit (Liiga, Finland)
Tournament: Deutschland Cup 2025 – Representing Team Latvia
Albert Smits is a 17-year-old left-shot defenseman who represented Latvia at the 2025 Deutschland Cup, marking his first appearance at the senior international level. Currently playing professionally with Jukurit in Finland’s Liiga, Smits is viewed as one of Latvia’s most promising young defense prospects and a potential early-round selection for the 2026 NHL Draft. His mature decision-making, steady defensive play, and composure under pressure make him stand out among peers his age.
Smits is a fluid and efficient skater with impressive stride mechanics for a player of his size. His long, powerful strides allow him to cover ice efficiently, maintaining strong gap control in transition. Mobility and edge control are well above average, though his initial acceleration and first-step quickness can continue to improve with added lower-body explosiveness. He demonstrates smooth pivots and can recover positioning effectively when defending rush chances.
He shows notable calmness on retrievals and strong awareness of pressure. Smits consistently surveys his surroundings, making smart, efficient breakout passes that initiate clean exits. He favors the high-percentage play over risk, but can skate pucks out of danger when lanes close. His passes are crisp and accurate, showing confidence in short and medium-range outlets. Offensively, he keeps pucks low and on target from the point, displaying a growing ability to find shooting lanes through traffic.
Smits’ defensive instincts are advanced for his age. He maintains tight defensive gaps and uses an active stick to disrupt passing lanes. His reach and body positioning allow him to steer attackers away from dangerous areas, and he rarely overextends in pursuit of contact. Shows poise in one-on-one situations and communicates effectively with his partner. Smits’ strength and leverage allow him to control net-front play, though continued physical development will further enhance his effectiveness against stronger professional forwards.
Smits exhibits a high level of hockey intelligence and composure. He reads developing plays early, supports teammates effectively, and makes mature decisions under forecheck pressure. Rarely caught out of position, he displays good spatial awareness and a professional approach to game management. His calm demeanor translates into consistent, mistake-free shifts that inspire confidence from coaches.
While not a punishing hitter, Smits competes hard and uses his frame effectively to separate opponents from the puck. He finishes checks when needed, wins most board battles through leverage and body positioning, and plays with quiet toughness. His compete level is steady — he brings the same effort and attention to detail every shift. As he continues to add strength, his physical impact will become a larger part of his game.
At the Deutschland Cup, Smits was utilized primarily in a third pairing and penalty-kill role, gaining valuable experience against veteran European competition. His poise under pressure stood out, as did his ability to read plays and make safe outlet passes under an aggressive forecheck. Despite limited minutes, he showed flashes of confidence carrying the puck and displayed reliability beyond his years. Latvia’s coaching staff clearly viewed his inclusion as an investment in long-term development — a sign of trust in his maturity and upside.
Smits projects as a top four, two-way defenseman capable of logging significant five-on-five and penalty-kill minutes. His combination of size, hockey sense, and composure fits the profile of a modern stay-at-home defender with puck-moving efficiency. If he continues to improve his first-step acceleration and adds more confidence in offensive zone play, Smits could become a reliable, all-situations NHL blueliner.
Its important that hecontinue improving lower-body strength and first-step acceleration to match pace at higher levels.
Smits should go on with making his Offensive Confidence expand blue-line movement and deception to become more dangerous on the point.
He is already good but can still improve his physical Consistency and maintain assertiveness in board battles and net-front coverage against larger opponents.
I can see him as a late 1th rounder or a high 2nd rounder of the draft 2026.
#9 – Paul Sintschnig, Austria
Live Scouting: Austria vs. Slovakia ( 2-6)
By Jocke Andersson, Head Scout Sweden
Name: Paul Sintschnig
Date of Birth: March 11, 2009
Position: Forward
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Austria
Current Team: Austrian National Team / Villach , Austria
Tournament: Deutschland Cup 2025
Paul Sintschnig, only 16 years old, made his senior national team debut for Austria in this game against Slovakia at the 2025 Deutschland Cup. Despite the lopsided result, his selection reflects the federation’s confidence in his potential as one of Austria’s top emerging talents. Sintschnig began the game on Austria’s fourth line and showed poise and competitiveness in limited minutes before exiting early due to injury following a hit into the boards.
Sintschnig moves well for his age, with a light stride and quick acceleration. His edge work and balance are noticeable strengths; he maintains control through tight turns and transitions. Although still developing lower-body strength, his skating mechanics and mobility are advanced for a 16-year-old competing at the senior level. Once he adds more leg power, his stride will gain greater drive and separation speed.
He demonstrates solid puck control and situational awareness in tight areas. When on the ice, Sintschnig looked comfortable handling the puck and showed composure making short-range plays. He possesses quick hands and the confidence to carry the puck through the neutral zone. Offensive impact was limited in this outing due to Austria’s overall struggles and his early departure, but flashes of vision and creativity were evident in his brief shifts.
Sintschnig showed awareness and willingness to track back hard on defensive transitions. He maintained good body positioning and supported his defensemen on low-zone coverage. His stick positioning is sound for a player of his age, and he demonstrated attentiveness to structure and assignments — promising indicators for future two-way reliability.
At 16, Sintschnig is still growing into his frame and lacks full professional strength, but he competes fearlessly. He engages physically, pursues pucks with intent, and shows no hesitation in traffic. Unfortunately, his game ended prematurely after a heavy collision with the boards. The play underscored both his willingness to battle and the need to continue building physical durability to handle senior-level contact.
Austria fell behind quickly, conceding five goals in the opening period, which limited the team’s ability to roll all four lines consistently. Sintschnig’s ice time was minimal before his injury, but his effort and confidence in brief appearances stood out given the circumstances. His inclusion at this level at such a young age signal that the Austrian staff view him as a cornerstone for the future.
Sintschnig projects as a skilled, two-way forward with the potential to become a reliable top-six contributor for Austria in international competition. With continued physical and technical development, he could evolve into a versatile player capable of impacting both special-teams situations and five-on-five play. His poise, skating, and hockey sense make him a strong candidate for future professional success once his body matures.
He needs to build core and leg strength to handle senior-level contact.
Sintsching has to polished maintain shift intensity throughout longer games.
He also have to continue to assert himself with the puck, generating more scoring chances.
I see him as Comparable to Dominik Kubalik in early development stages — a versatile winger with smart reads, smooth skating, and willingness to engage physically when needed.
I project him as a 4th rounder pick for the Draft 2026