EDMONTON -- Nash Roed doesn’t mind that he was born a few days late to be eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft. It should actually work to his advantage.
The forward with Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup does not turn 17 until Sept. 25, missing the cutoff date for eligibility by 10 days. Instead, he’s projected to be a top prospect for the 2028 NHL Draft.
“I like it,” Roed said after scoring a hat trick in a 5-2 win against Slovakia in the first semifinal of the under-18 international tournament here at Rogers Place on Friday. “I get another year to develop, so it will be good.”
Another year of development should make Roed very attractive to NHL teams when he does become eligible for the draft. He is expected to be selected in the first round in 2028, according to Craig Button, TSN director of scouting.
“He could have been a first-round pick this year,” Button said. “He’s an outstanding player.”
Roed, a native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is playing with the United States National Team Development Program this season. He played with White Bear Lake High School and then joined Waterloo of the United States Hockey League last season. Roed had 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) in 28 games with White Bear Lake and four points (one goal, three assists) in 11 games with Waterloo. He is committed to the University of Minnesota after high school.
“He’s really, really competitive,” United States coach Reid Cashman said. “For a kid that’s just come out of high school hockey, he has not backed down from the competitiveness of these countries and these games and the speed components to go with it. He’s not backed down and now he’s getting rewarded.”
Roed had two assists in the first three games of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup before breaking out in the semifinal against Slovakia. The United States will face Canada in the final Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TSN 4, NHL Network). Canada won 6-3 against Finland in the second semifinal Friday. Finland will play Slovakia for the bronze medal (2 p.m. ET: TSN 4, NHL Network).
Roed and linemate Gavin Burcar were too much to handle for Slovakia, combing for seven points. Burcar had a goal and three assists in the win. Burcar is projected to go in the second round in the 2027 draft according to Button.
“He (Roed) is unbelievable, he’s so fun to play with,” Burcar said. “It was going for him today; he was able to put three in the net and I’m so happy for him. I love playing with him.”
The two have been playing together throughout the tournament with a third forward rotating through on their line. The instant chemistry has helped the United States win its first four games in defense of the title they won last season in Czechia.
“It’s kind of fun to have guys work in pairs and those two guys have been together the whole tournament,” Cashman said. “They both have that speed and that same competitiveness, and I think they enjoy playing with each other.”
As two of the best players in the country in their age group, the two could be teammates for a while with the United States national program. Roed is eligible to play in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup again next season, where he will be a year older, stronger and more experienced.
“I think it’s just work, that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day, we just forecheck and backcheck hard and we’re playing the right way,” Burcar said. “I believe if you do that it’ll come. You try not to worry about the points, if you just play the right way, those things will come.”
Roed’s work ethic and talent come from his father Peter, who was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the second round (No. 38) of the 1995 NHL Draft.
Peter Roed did not make it to the NHL but was a significant influence on his three sons. Roed’s older brother Lleyton, 23, plays for Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League and his other older brother Nolan, 20, was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the seventh round (No. 214) of the 2025 NHL Draft.
“My dad was a really good skater, watching some of the older clips and stuff,” Roed said. “He coached me all the way up until I was 15. He was always on the bench in my ear letting me know what to do. Just watching him, you want to play like he was obviously. It was good and I think it helped a lot.”
Roed wants to continue developing into an all-around player that can be relied upon in all situations. He is looking forward to his time with the national team program.
“I’m a guy that will get in the corners, but I think I’m also a guy that can make a play and score a goal,” Roed said. “I’m not afraid to get in the dirty areas. I think I need to continue using my feet and getting in the corners. I think I have to use my shot more when I get the opportunities and just bearing down on the chances I get.”
Cashman believes Roed has a bright future and will excel this season and beyond.
“He’s going to a great spot to play next year, but when your baseline is based on competitiveness you have a chance to keep developing and keep getting better,” Cashman said. “It was fun to watch him get rewarded today.”
