One of the most fascinating things about NHL training camps is watching the story lines unfold and seeing young players make an impression with a team, whether it’s a highly touted draft pick or an undrafted underdog.
Here’s a list of some of the Maritimers who made an impression at training camp and could be on the brink of making the NHL.
Bradly Nadeau
Watching Bradly Nadeau at the Carolina Hurricanes camp, one thing is clear, and that’s he’s definitely NHL-ready.
He can skate and keep up with the pace of play, and his shot is lethal, which made him a first-round draft pick by the Canes back in 2024. After a tremendous camp, plenty were surprised to see his name on the transaction page being sent to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Bradly Nadeau strikes for the Hurricanes 🚨!!#NewBrunswick #MaritimeHockey #Nadeau pic.twitter.com/GUTBeFl7H3
— Maritime Hockey (@HockeyMaritime) September 21, 2026
There was one clear reason why Nadeau was sent to the AHL…and that’s because he was one of the only NHL ready players that was eligible to be sent down without going through waivers. Everything is a numbers game, and Nadeau fell on the wrong side of that. With the Canes having a deep forward group and not wanting to lose anyone on waivers, they decided to send the young 21-year-old Nadeau down.
The question won’t be if Nadeau will play for Carolina this season, but more when he’ll play for Carolina. He’s NHL ready, he’s just waiting for an injury or opportunity to arise to get that call.
Gabe Smith
The Utah Mammoth have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL; they have set themselves up for success, and the main reason for that is how they drafted. During the 4th round of the 2024 NHL draft, the Mammoth found a gem in St.Andrews, New Brunswick’s Gabe Smith.
Smith is entering his first pro season after a successful run with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. During his time in Moncton, Gabe learned how to be a leader and pro; he was playoff MVP during the Wildcats’ run to the QMJHL championship in 2025.
Gabe Smith, always dominant, no matter what the situation is! 😎
— QMJHL (@QMJHL) May 15, 2026
His 1⃣9⃣th of the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs, and @monctonwildcats make it 3-0!#QPlayoffs | #Proxi | @utahmammoth | #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/Fu98IA1tCJ
Even when playing in the Q, you could see that Smith was built for the pro game and should transition nicely. Things are pointing in the right direction for Smith, he was one of the final cuts at Mammoth’s training camp this year and has already impressed Utah management with his work ethic. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sees a few games in the NHL if the Mammoth run into a couple of injuries on their bottom six.
Dillon Boucher
One of the success stories out of the Maritimes has to be Head Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia’s Dillon Boucher. Working his way up through the ECHL to the AHL in a few short years and then to earn a NHL contract is quite the story.
At the Blackhawks camp this year, Dillon put on a strong showing with his work ethic and physicality and even showed off his scoring touch by burying a goal in a pre-season game against the Minnesota Wild.
Dillon Boucher finds the back of the net 🚨!!
— Maritime Hockey (@HockeyMaritime) September 20, 2026
The Head Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia native making the most of his opportunities in the preseason. #Blackhawks #NovaScotia #Boucher pic.twitter.com/8xjZxGWSnV
One of the final cuts at training camp, Boucher had high praise from Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill and showed what he brings to every team he plays for. Physicality obviously, but also a culture, leads by example with his work ethic and drags players into the fight, similar to the enforcers of the days of old.
