Ben Wilmott says he won’t soon forget the moment on Saturday that he heard his name called by the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y.
“It was an unreal feeling to do that and to go through it with my family and the people I love beside me, it was truly an incredible feeling,” said the Barrie Colts forward who slipped on the Golden Knights’ gold jersey after he was selected in the third round (92nd overall). “To be able to do that with my family was awesome.”
Wilmott worked hard to put himself on that stage. While he’ll cherish the experience he’s dreamed about since first lacing up the skates as a young child growing up in Long Valley, N.J., he knows there’s still so much more to be done to fulfill his goal of playing in the NHL.
“It feels really cool to end up in this position, but the work only starts now,” said the 19-year-old. “Everything that led up to this point, I just got to continue to build, continue to grow my game, and continue to get better every single day.
“Hopefully, now the goal is to get an NHL contract.”
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Wilmott wasn’t the only Colt to hear his name called at the NHL draft this weekend.
Parker von Richter, who, like Wilmott, was acquired ahead of the OHL trade deadline and helped lead Barrie to an appearance in the OHL Championship Series, is one of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Penguins after they used their 111th pick overall in the fourth round to draft the defenceman.
Wilmott was thrilled to see his teammate also rewarded on the big stage.
“It was awesome,” he said of von Richter being drafted. “I gave him the biggest hug when we saw each other after both being drafted. It was so cool to see. He deserves it so much. He worked so hard, and I was so happy that he got drafted.
“I may have been the happiest person in the building. It’s so cool to see.”
Wilmott joins a Knights organization that is fresh off an appearance in the Stanley Cup finals and one that has enjoyed plenty of success since joining the NHL as an expansion team in 2017.
Vegas made the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season in 2018, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games. The Golden Knights went on to win their first Stanley Cup in 2023 after defeating the Florida Panthers in five games. In this year’s Stanley Cup Final, they fell in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Only once in nine seasons has Vegas missed the playoffs. Wilmott is thrilled with the opportunity to help the Golden Knights continue that impressive run of success.
“It’s super exciting to be brought into such a winning culture as they have,” said Wilmott, who helped lead Barrie to an appearance in the OHL finals. “I’m really looking forward to doing my part and adding to that winning culture and having a lot of fun.”
That he’s a Golden Knight, Wilmott admits he never really saw it coming.
“To be honest, it was a little bit of a surprise at the time,” said the six-foot-one, 190-pound forward who had 27 goals and 39 assists for 66 points in 66 games between the London Knights and Barrie last season. “I thought I was going to maybe one or two other teams, and then they passed, and it came to Vegas.
“My name ended up being called, and from there it was a dream come true.”
Wilmott believes Vegas is getting a player who competes hard and can help them all over the ice.
“I see myself as a play-driving, 200-foot two-way centre, and I think I can really help Vegas in all aspects of the game and around all three zones on the ice,” he said.
After one season in the OHL, Wilmott has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey with Ohio State next season. The work, he says, starts now.
“I have a big summer ahead,” he said. “The goal is to get a lot bigger and stronger, and faster, and add to my frame and keep working on my skill set. I’m planning to have a good and strong year with Ohio State, and, hopefully, win a championship there and go far with them and keep developing.”
The decision to leave the United States Hockey League (USHL) and come to the OHL last season paid off for Wilmott. It was the right decision for the future of his game, and that, he says, was thanks to the great advice he received from those who have been supporting him all the way along.
“I’ve had a lot of great advice from my agent, Chris Lepkowski,’ said Wilmott. “He’s been there every step of the way since I was little. He’s just helped me so much through my journey that I can’t thank him enough, as well as my family.
My mom, my dad, and my brother have been with me every step of the way, and without them, I wouldn’t be here, so a special thanks to them.”
ICE CHIPS
The Penguins moved up in the draft to select von Richter, trading a fourth-round pick originally belonging to the Winnipeg Jets and the 170th overall pick.
Colts goalies Ben Hrebik and Arvin Jaswall, along with forward Joe Salandra and defenceman Justin Handsor were passed over in the draft despite all four Colts being listed on NHL Central Scouting's final draft rankings.
Ryder Cali, who was born in Switzerland but grew up in Penetanguishene, was selected in the second round (48th overall) by Florida. He scored 16 goals and had 36 points with the North Bay Battalion last year, and is committed to Providence (NCAA Division I, Hockey East) for next year, as is Hrebik.
Barrie native Cole Zurawski, who had 24 goals and 46 points in 63 games with the Owen Sound Attack, was drafted in the sixth round (181st overall) by Florida. His teammate, winger Wesley Royston from Oro-Medonte, was taken nine picks later by the Montreal Canadiens after a 10-goal, 15-point season.
