Scott Wheeler
@scottcwheeler.bsky.social
National reporter (NHL Draft/prospects) at The Athletic. Author of On The Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL Draft.
How William Belle went from skating in a shopping mall in China to Maple Leafs prospect.
His fascinating and “unconventional” story, with background and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
His fascinating and “unconventional” story, with background and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
November 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
How William Belle went from skating in a shopping mall in China to Maple Leafs prospect.
His fascinating and “unconventional” story, with background and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
His fascinating and “unconventional” story, with background and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
🆕 My November #2026NHLDraft ranking is out!
- First top 64
- 28 honorable mentions
- Full reports, tiers and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
- First top 64
- 28 honorable mentions
- Full reports, tiers and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
November 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
🆕 My November #2026NHLDraft ranking is out!
- First top 64
- 28 honorable mentions
- Full reports, tiers and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
- First top 64
- 28 honorable mentions
- Full reports, tiers and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
“He’s probably the best practice player that I’ve ever seen.”
“He’s got tons of swagger.”
My feature on #2026NHLDraft prospect Vladimir Dravecky, with insight from Bulldogs staff and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
“He’s got tons of swagger.”
My feature on #2026NHLDraft prospect Vladimir Dravecky, with insight from Bulldogs staff and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
October 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
“He’s probably the best practice player that I’ve ever seen.”
“He’s got tons of swagger.”
My feature on #2026NHLDraft prospect Vladimir Dravecky, with insight from Bulldogs staff and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
“He’s got tons of swagger.”
My feature on #2026NHLDraft prospect Vladimir Dravecky, with insight from Bulldogs staff and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
I went behind the scenes with the Brantford Bulldogs for a weekend.
Inside the team, as the Hymans, a future NHL coach, and a group of players chase a title and put down roots in a new home:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Inside the team, as the Hymans, a future NHL coach, and a group of players chase a title and put down roots in a new home:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
October 18, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I went behind the scenes with the Brantford Bulldogs for a weekend.
Inside the team, as the Hymans, a future NHL coach, and a group of players chase a title and put down roots in a new home:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Inside the team, as the Hymans, a future NHL coach, and a group of players chase a title and put down roots in a new home:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
“Wilson’s a player, man.”
My feature on Canucks prospect Wilson Bjorck.
Why he could be a “steal,” with insight from Sweden and Colorado College: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
My feature on Canucks prospect Wilson Bjorck.
Why he could be a “steal,” with insight from Sweden and Colorado College: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
October 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
“Wilson’s a player, man.”
My feature on Canucks prospect Wilson Bjorck.
Why he could be a “steal,” with insight from Sweden and Colorado College: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
My feature on Canucks prospect Wilson Bjorck.
Why he could be a “steal,” with insight from Sweden and Colorado College: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Meet Will Zellers, the Bruins’ “warrior” new prospect.
My feature, with insight from staff at North Dakota and Shattuck:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
My feature, with insight from staff at North Dakota and Shattuck:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
September 25, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Meet Will Zellers, the Bruins’ “warrior” new prospect.
My feature, with insight from staff at North Dakota and Shattuck:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
My feature, with insight from staff at North Dakota and Shattuck:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
🆕 The Contention Cycle.
Combining Player Tiers and Prospect Tiers to model where teams are and where they’re going.
With @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
Combining Player Tiers and Prospect Tiers to model where teams are and where they’re going.
With @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
September 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
🆕 The Contention Cycle.
Combining Player Tiers and Prospect Tiers to model where teams are and where they’re going.
With @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
Combining Player Tiers and Prospect Tiers to model where teams are and where they’re going.
With @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
🆕 The Athletic Hockey Show’s annual U23 Draft.
11 rounds. 44 picks. We built teams.
Podcast: pod.fo/e/3295ea
Article: www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
11 rounds. 44 picks. We built teams.
Podcast: pod.fo/e/3295ea
Article: www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
September 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
🆕 The Athletic Hockey Show’s annual U23 Draft.
11 rounds. 44 picks. We built teams.
Podcast: pod.fo/e/3295ea
Article: www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
11 rounds. 44 picks. We built teams.
Podcast: pod.fo/e/3295ea
Article: www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
My annual fantasy hockey dynasty rankings are out.
The top 100 players 25-and-under for keeper leagues 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
The top 100 players 25-and-under for keeper leagues 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
September 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
My annual fantasy hockey dynasty rankings are out.
The top 100 players 25-and-under for keeper leagues 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
The top 100 players 25-and-under for keeper leagues 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
The incredible real story of the biggest hockey player in the world, a 7-foot, 277-pound teenager from Moldova — a country without a rink.
Meet Alexander ‘Sanya’ Karmanov.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Meet Alexander ‘Sanya’ Karmanov.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
August 21, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The incredible real story of the biggest hockey player in the world, a 7-foot, 277-pound teenager from Moldova — a country without a rink.
Meet Alexander ‘Sanya’ Karmanov.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Meet Alexander ‘Sanya’ Karmanov.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
🆕 My preseason #2026NHLDraft ranking:
- Top 32, with full reports
- 39 honorable mentions
- Tiers, customizable user interface and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
- Top 32, with full reports
- 39 honorable mentions
- Tiers, customizable user interface and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
August 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
🆕 My preseason #2026NHLDraft ranking:
- Top 32, with full reports
- 39 honorable mentions
- Tiers, customizable user interface and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
- Top 32, with full reports
- 39 honorable mentions
- Tiers, customizable user interface and more
🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
🆕 World Juniors roster projections:
- Lines for 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇸🇪🇫🇮🇨🇿
- Final cuts
- The big debates
More:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
- Lines for 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇸🇪🇫🇮🇨🇿
- Final cuts
- The big debates
More:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
August 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
🆕 World Juniors roster projections:
- Lines for 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇸🇪🇫🇮🇨🇿
- Final cuts
- The big debates
More:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
- Lines for 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇸🇪🇫🇮🇨🇿
- Final cuts
- The big debates
More:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
“He’s so projectable because he’s so consistent.”
My feature on the emergence of Blue Jackets second-rounder Evan Gardner as a top goalie prospect, with insight into his unique journey and game:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My feature on the emergence of Blue Jackets second-rounder Evan Gardner as a top goalie prospect, with insight into his unique journey and game:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
July 31, 2025 at 11:48 AM
“He’s so projectable because he’s so consistent.”
My feature on the emergence of Blue Jackets second-rounder Evan Gardner as a top goalie prospect, with insight into his unique journey and game:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My feature on the emergence of Blue Jackets second-rounder Evan Gardner as a top goalie prospect, with insight into his unique journey and game:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
“I think he’s the best power forward in the CHL.”
My feature on Blackhawks first-rounder Marek Vanacker, who “hasn’t even scraped the surface.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My feature on Blackhawks first-rounder Marek Vanacker, who “hasn’t even scraped the surface.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
July 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“I think he’s the best power forward in the CHL.”
My feature on Blackhawks first-rounder Marek Vanacker, who “hasn’t even scraped the surface.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My feature on Blackhawks first-rounder Marek Vanacker, who “hasn’t even scraped the surface.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Meet Ryker “The Wizard” Lee 🧙
My feature on his “metamorphosis” into one of the NHL’s most talented prospects.
With insight from Shattuck, Madison and Michigan State along the way.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My feature on his “metamorphosis” into one of the NHL’s most talented prospects.
With insight from Shattuck, Madison and Michigan State along the way.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
July 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Meet Ryker “The Wizard” Lee 🧙
My feature on his “metamorphosis” into one of the NHL’s most talented prospects.
With insight from Shattuck, Madison and Michigan State along the way.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My feature on his “metamorphosis” into one of the NHL’s most talented prospects.
With insight from Shattuck, Madison and Michigan State along the way.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
I spoke with Gavin McKenna one-on-one for @theathletic.com.
On his decision, his summer, his home, and more, with insight into what makes him “special” from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
On his decision, his summer, his home, and more, with insight into what makes him “special” from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
July 24, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I spoke with Gavin McKenna one-on-one for @theathletic.com.
On his decision, his summer, his home, and more, with insight into what makes him “special” from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
On his decision, his summer, his home, and more, with insight into what makes him “special” from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
My annual top 20 drafted NHL goalie prospects ranking is out!
Featuring full evaluations, projections, tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Featuring full evaluations, projections, tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
July 15, 2025 at 11:31 AM
My annual top 20 drafted NHL goalie prospects ranking is out!
Featuring full evaluations, projections, tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Featuring full evaluations, projections, tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
My annual top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking is out!
Featuring more than 50,000 words of analysis, player tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Featuring more than 50,000 words of analysis, player tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
July 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM
My annual top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking is out!
Featuring more than 50,000 words of analysis, player tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Featuring more than 50,000 words of analysis, player tiers, and more, all packaged in our user interface.
The 2025 edition:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Happy NHL Draft Eve. What I’m hearing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
June 26, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Happy NHL Draft Eve. What I’m hearing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
The 2025 NHL Draft player poll, Part 3:
50 of the top prospects give their own NHL comparables/projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
50 of the top prospects give their own NHL comparables/projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
June 23, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The 2025 NHL Draft player poll, Part 3:
50 of the top prospects give their own NHL comparables/projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
50 of the top prospects give their own NHL comparables/projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
The 2025 NHL Draft player poll, Part 2:
- If you could take one draft-eligible with you to the NHL, who would it be and why?
- What range of the draft do you think you will go in?
We asked 50 of the top prospects those questions and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
- If you could take one draft-eligible with you to the NHL, who would it be and why?
- What range of the draft do you think you will go in?
We asked 50 of the top prospects those questions and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
June 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The 2025 NHL Draft player poll, Part 2:
- If you could take one draft-eligible with you to the NHL, who would it be and why?
- What range of the draft do you think you will go in?
We asked 50 of the top prospects those questions and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
- If you could take one draft-eligible with you to the NHL, who would it be and why?
- What range of the draft do you think you will go in?
We asked 50 of the top prospects those questions and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
🆕 Introducing: The 2025 NHL Draft player poll 🏒
50 top prospects. 10 questions.
Part 1: NCAA. Underrated. Hardest to play against. NHL team you’d like/least like to draft you. Rank Schaefer, Misa and Martone.
And more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
50 top prospects. 10 questions.
Part 1: NCAA. Underrated. Hardest to play against. NHL team you’d like/least like to draft you. Rank Schaefer, Misa and Martone.
And more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
June 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🆕 Introducing: The 2025 NHL Draft player poll 🏒
50 top prospects. 10 questions.
Part 1: NCAA. Underrated. Hardest to play against. NHL team you’d like/least like to draft you. Rank Schaefer, Misa and Martone.
And more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
50 top prospects. 10 questions.
Part 1: NCAA. Underrated. Hardest to play against. NHL team you’d like/least like to draft you. Rank Schaefer, Misa and Martone.
And more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
New: 2025 NHL Draft class superlatives:
- Best skaters
- Best shots
- Best hands
- Smartest
- Most competitive
- Most physical
- Strongest
- Most well-rounded
Ranking players by traits: www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
- Best skaters
- Best shots
- Best hands
- Smartest
- Most competitive
- Most physical
- Strongest
- Most well-rounded
Ranking players by traits: www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
June 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
New: 2025 NHL Draft class superlatives:
- Best skaters
- Best shots
- Best hands
- Smartest
- Most competitive
- Most physical
- Strongest
- Most well-rounded
Ranking players by traits: www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
- Best skaters
- Best shots
- Best hands
- Smartest
- Most competitive
- Most physical
- Strongest
- Most well-rounded
Ranking players by traits: www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...
New: My anonymous scouts survey:
- Ranking the top D
- Roger McQueen in the top 10?
- Slotting Ivan Ryabkin
16 scouts dish on the 2025 NHL Draft in my annual poll:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
- Ranking the top D
- Roger McQueen in the top 10?
- Slotting Ivan Ryabkin
16 scouts dish on the 2025 NHL Draft in my annual poll:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
June 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
New: My anonymous scouts survey:
- Ranking the top D
- Roger McQueen in the top 10?
- Slotting Ivan Ryabkin
16 scouts dish on the 2025 NHL Draft in my annual poll:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
- Ranking the top D
- Roger McQueen in the top 10?
- Slotting Ivan Ryabkin
16 scouts dish on the 2025 NHL Draft in my annual poll:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
New: 2025 NHL Draft player comparables!
Comps and projections for the top 20 prospects on my list:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
Comps and projections for the top 20 prospects on my list:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
June 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM
New: 2025 NHL Draft player comparables!
Comps and projections for the top 20 prospects on my list:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
Comps and projections for the top 20 prospects on my list:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...