SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has announced 2025-26 AHL Top Prospects Teamdetermined by the league’s hockey operations department in collaboration with AHL general managers such as three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender who are shown to be the best future NHL players.
To be eligible for the AHL Top Prospects Team, skaters must be 22 years of age or younger on the first day of the regular season, and must have played at least 36 regular season games in the AHL and no more than 30 regular season games in the National Hockey League during 2025-26. Recipients must be 23 years of age or younger on opening night and have played at least 25 AHL games and no more than 20 NHL games during the regular season.
2025-26 AHL Top Prospects Team
Sergey Murashov, Goaltender (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins/Pittsburgh Penguins):
A fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2022 NHL Draft, Sergei Murashov he played well in his first full AHL season, earning a spot on the league’s 2025-26 All-Rookie team. In 38 regular season games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the 22-year-old Murashov ranked third in the league in both goals-against average (2.20) and save percentage (.919) while posting a 24-9-4 record. Murashov also backstopped the Penguins to their first conference finals appearance in 12 years, recording a .931 save percentage in 15 playoff starts. Murashov made his NHL debut in Pittsburgh on November 9, 2025, and earned his first NHL victory in a shutout against Nashville in the Nov. 16 played in Stockholm, Sweden.
Adam Engström, Defender (Laval Rocket / Montréal Canadiens):
A 22-year-old girl from Järna, Sweden, Adam Engström appeared in 45 regular season games for Laval in 2025-26 and recorded 10 goals, 24 assists and a 14 rebound average to help the Rockets capture the North Division title. The 2026 AHL All-Star also led all AHL defensemen with five game-winning goals on the season. Selected by Montreal in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Engström made his NHL debut on November 26, 2025, and continued to skate in 15 games with the Canadiens, collecting one assist and a 2-point average while averaging over 13 minutes of ice time per game.
Carter Yakemchuk, Defenseman (Belleville Senators / Ottawa Senators):
The protector Carter Yakemchuk registered 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points in 54 AHL games for the Belleville Senators in 2025-26, his rookie pro campaign after four seasons with Calgary in the Western Hockey League. The 20-year-old from Fort McMurray, Alta., was the seventh pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and skated in four regular-season games with Ottawa this season, recording a goal and an assist in his first game — a 3-2 win at Detroit on Mar. 25.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Forward (Grand Rapids Griffins / Detroit Red Wings):
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård had a standout season as a 20-year-old rookie with Grand Rapids in 2025-26, scoring 20 goals and adding 24 assists to go along with a plus-17 average in 60 games for the Griffins. A first-round pick (15th overall) by Detroit in the 2024 NHL Draft, Brandsegg-Nygård made the opening night lineup for the Red Wings and went on to appear in 14 NHL games this season. He closed out the campaign by leading the Griffins to the Calder Cup Playoffs with eight points in eight games, then tallied six points in five contests to help Norway capture a historic bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Konsta Helenius, Forward (Rochester Americans / Buffalo Sabres):
A member of the AHL Top Prospects Team for the second year in a row, Konsta Helenius led Rochester with 63 points (21 goals, 42 assists) in 63 games, tied for ninth in the entire AHL and setting the rookie scoring record. Helenus, who turned 20 in May, made his NHL debut with Buffalo on Jan. 19; represented the Americans in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic; scored two goals in four games for the Sabers during the Stanley Cup Playoffs; and scored the gold medal overtime goal to win Finland the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Helenus was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Ilya Protas, Forward (Hershey Bears / Washington Capitals):
Recipient of the 2025-26 Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie, age 19 Ilya Protas tied for sixth in the league with 66 points (29 goals, 37 assists) in 69 regular season games for Hershey, leading the team in goals, points, power play goals (11) and plus/minus ratio (+17). His 66 points were the fourth-most by a rookie in AHL history, and included a seven-game scoring streak in November and a six-point game in April. Protas, selected by Washington in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, made his debut for the Capitals on April 8 and had one goal and three assists in four NHL appearances. He participated in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic and was voted to the AHL All-Rookie Team.
