E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence

Draft Prospect Award

About this trophy

Description: First awarded in 2014-15, the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence is presented annually “to the NHL Draft prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.”

History: After many years of coaching and scouting at various levels of hockey, E.J. McGuire joined the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 2002 and assumed day-to-day responsibility for the department in 2005. McGuire spearheaded an operation that provided scouting and evaluation of draft-eligible players to NHL Member Clubs. He led a team of eight full-time and 15 part-time scouts throughout North America. Just as he brought innovation to the coaching profession throughout his career, McGuire was responsible for several advancements in the area of scouting during his nine years at the League, including the development of a new scouting technology system that brought the “art” of scouting to a whole new level. He was instrumental in raising both the effectiveness and profile of the League’s annual scouting combine. McGuire lost his short, but courageous, battle with cancer in April 2011.

2025-26 Winner: Alberts Smits, the No. 2-ranked international skater for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, received the 2025‑26 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence. Smits, a defenseman, played in European men’s leagues in Finland with Jukurit (6-7—13 in 38 GP) and then on loan in Germany with Munchen (2-4—6 in 11 playoff games). The Valmiera, Latvia, native – who represented his country at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 – is looking to become the highest-drafted Latvian player in NHL history, a distinction currently held by Zemgus Girgensons (14th overall in 2012 by BUF).

More Information on Winners:

2025-26: Alberts Smits

2024-25: Michael Misa

2023-24: Michael Hage

2022-23: Connor Bedard

2021-22: Lane Hutson

2020-21: William Eklund

2019-20: Zayde Wisdom

2018-19: Brett Leason

2017-18: Humboldt Broncos

2016-17: Nico Hischier

2015-16: Neil Doef

2014-15: Travis Konecny

Winners

12 seasons, from 2014-15 to 2025-26.

Season	Winner	Runners-up and finalists
2025-26	Alberts Smits
2024-25	Michael Misa
2023-24	Michael Hage
2022-23	Connor Bedard
2021-22	Lane Hutson
2020-21	William Eklund
2019-20	Zayde Wisdom
2018-19	Brett Leason
2017-18	Humboldt Broncos
2016-17	Nico Hischier
2015-16	Neil Doef
2014-15	Travis Konecny