The Calgary, Alberta, native was selected first overall by the Kootenay Ice in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft after putting up an astounding 102 points (46 goals, 56 assists) in 27 games for the Rocky Mountain Raiders Bantam AAA team.
Krebs continued to score when he made the jump to junior hockey. He led the Western Hockey League in rookie scoring in 2017-18 with 54 points (17 goals, 37 assists) in 67 games.
The left-shooting center went on to score 128 points (37 goals, 91 assists) in 137 games in just over two seasons playing for Kootenay.
The 6-foot, 183-pound forward captained the Ice and led the club in points (68), assists (49) and power-play goals (eight) in the 2018-19 season, and his 49 assists during the year was good for 19th in the WHL.
"He's a very good player… In Kootenay they had a tough year, not a lot of support for him," said John Williams of NHL Central Scouting. "He was captain of the team, faced everybody's best player every night."
In addition to what he brings to his play on the ice, Krebs has also demonstrated his leadership qualities that accompany his size and skill.
In addition to serving as the captain for Kootenay, the now 18-year-old also wore the 'C' for Canada at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship in Sweden this past April. During that tournament, Krebs led Canada with six goals tied for the team-lead with 10 points and a plus-9 rating in seven games.
Additionally, Krebs represented his home country in the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he gathered five points (two goals, three assist) in five games en route to capturing a goal medal with his country.
A likely first-round pick, Krebs is looking to become just the fourth opening-round pick in Ice history, although a recent injury has seemingly added a new obstacle in his upcoming walk to the stage.
During an on-ice training session, Krebs partially tore his Achilles tendon and had surgery to repair it on June 7. The timeframe for his return is still unknown, but his agent Kevin Korol has said the forward is predicted to make a full recovery.
"It's unfortunate that Peyton had to undergo surgery yet the timing, while adding to the draft intrigue, also allows him the offseason to rehab," director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "He is such a well-known, respected and valued prospect that it's unlikely to influence any club's decision-making on draft day. Peyton Krebs is one of those coveted high-character players who always finds a way to contribute and is a leader both on and off the ice."
Despite when his name is called at the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver, he is expected to be ready to play with the Ice for the 2019-20 season in the team's first year as the Winnipeg Ice.
