IceRays Draft 10 forwards, three defenseman, and two goalies
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays added 15 players to their pipeline during the 2026 North American Hockey League Draft today, selecting 10 forwards, three defensemen, and two goaltenders as the organization continued to build for the future.
Corpus Christi held two first-round selections and used them to bolster its forward group, selecting center Jacob Lachance with the 14th overall pick before adding forward Brodie Hankel at 16th overall.
Lachance, a 5-foot-8, left-shot center from Shawinigan, Quebec, spent the past two seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and brings a combination of speed, skill, and offensive creativity. Hankel, a 6-foot-2 forward from Devon, Alberta, adds size and versatility after gaining experience at both the junior A and major junior levels in Canada.
“To come away with two players like Jacob and Brodie in the first round was a great start to the day,” said Head Coach Nick Skerlick. “They each bring different strengths to the table, but both have the ability to make an impact offensively and play the type of game we value.”
The IceRays continued their forward-heavy approach in the second round, selecting Aiden Ferreira before adding Jacob Wingfield with their second pick of the round.
Wingfield carries a unique connection to Corpus Christi hockey history. His father, Brad Wingfield, was a fan favorite during his time with the IceRays franchise, skating for Corpus Christi from 1998-2001 in the Western Professional Hockey League and returning during the 2003-04 Central Hockey League season.
In the third round, Corpus Christi selected Dartmouth College commit Marko Lisica, adding another highly regarded forward prospect to the draft class.
The IceRays addressed the blue line for the first time in the fifth round by selecting defenseman J.J. Murphy before adding forwards Kaden Koutroulides and Tucker Mears with a pair of sixth-round picks.
Corpus Christi continued to add offensive depth with forward A.J. Schaaf in the seventh round and Easton Salscheider in the eighth round. Schaaf posted great numbers with the Chilliwack Chiefs in the British Columbia Hockey League with 14 goals and 30 points in 43 games.
The IceRays selected their first goaltender in the ninth round, choosing Griffin Wright from Edmonton, Alberta. Defenseman James Reilly followed in the 10th round before Corpus Christi selected defenseman Patrick Sargent in the 11th round. Sargent is already familiar to IceRays fans after appearing in two games as a call-up during the 2025-26 season.
Goaltender Giuliano Al Asmar was selected in the 12th round, becoming Corpus Christi’s second net-minder selected in the draft. He appeared in 21 games with the Montreal Phoenix in the Quebec Junior Hockey League, posting a 4.21 goals-against average and .879 save percentage.
“Draft day is only the beginning of the process,” Skerlick mentioned. “We’re excited to get to know these players and their families, and we’re looking forward to helping them continue their development. We believe this group has the potential to make a significant impact on the future of the IceRays.”
The IceRays closed out the 2026 NAHL Draft in the 13th round by selecting 2008-born forward Chase Field, completing a 15-player draft class that provides the IceRays with a strong blend of skill, size, experience, and long-term upside.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Donner added, “The IceRays became a better hockey team today through this draft. We are proud of the work our coaching staff put into the preparations and ultimately drafting such a fine group of young men. Nick certainly made his mark today on our organization and we couldn’t be prouder.
Corpus Christi IceRays 2026 NAHL Draft Picks
| RND# | PCK# | Player | Position | Ht | Wt | Hometown | Last Team |
| 1 | 14 | Jacob Lachance | Forward | 5.07 | 165 | Shawinigan, QC | Shawinigan Cataractes |
| 1 | 16 | Brodie Hankel | Forward | 6.02 | 179 | Red Deer, AB | Spruce Grove Saints |
| 2 | 38 | Aiden Ferreira | Forward | 5.10 | 165 | North Smithfield, RI | St. George’s School Dragons |
| 2 | 50 | Jacob Wingfield | Forward | 6.00 | 215 | Halfmoon Bay, BC | Moncton Wildcats |
| 3 | 84 | Marko Lisica | Forward | 6.00 | 170 | Plainview, NY | Okotoks Oilers |
| 5 | 147 | JJ Murphy | Defense | 5.08 | 135 | Amherst, NY | Nichols School Prep B 16U |
| 6 | 170 | Kaden Koutroulides | Forward | 5.09 | 150 | Demorestville, ON | Lindsay Muskies |
| 6 | 180 | Tucker Mears | Forward | 6.00 | 201 | Cleveland, OH | Frederick Gunn School Highlanders |
| 7 | 212 | AJ Schaaf | Forward | 6.04 | 204 | Pittsburgh, PA | Chilliwack Chiefs |
| 8 | 244 | Easton Salscheider | Forward | 5.11 | 180 | Sioux Falls, SD | Hill-Murray HS Pioneers |
| 9 | 276 | Griffin Wright | Goalie | 6.05 | 169 | Edmonton, AB | Warman Wolverines |
| 10 | 308 | James Reilly | Defense | 6.00 | 185 | Sicklerville, NJ | Berkshire School Bears |
| 11 | 340 | Patrick Sargent | Defense | 6.02 | 192 | Littleton, CO | Elite Hockey Academy 18U |
| 12 | 372 | Giuliano Al Asmar | Goalie | 6.00 | 188 | Westmount, QC | Montreal Phoenix |
| 13 | 404 | Chase Field | Forward | 5.09 | 148 | Centerville, MA | Lawrence Academy Spartans |
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the Hilliard Center in downtown Corpus Christi, TX. For more information or for all your ticketing needs, contact the IceRays Front Office at (361)-814-PUCK or visit www.GoIceRays.com . You can also follow the team through their social media platforms: Facebook @goicerays, Instagram @iceraysnahl, and Twitter @iceraysnahl
About North American Hockey League: Celebrating its 50th season in 2024-25, the NAHL, the only USA Hockey sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 35 teams in 20 states from North American. For more information, visit the NAHL website at https://nahl.com/
About Hilliard Center
Hilliard Center is Corpus Christi’s premier entertainment and event complex, proudly owned by the City of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group. Named in partnership with Hilliard Law, a firm dedicated to service and community, the waterfront venue features a state-of-the-art arena, the historic Selena Auditorium, and a versatile convention center overlooking the scenic Corpus Christi Bay. With adaptable spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium food and beverage offerings, Hilliard Center is designed to deliver exceptional experiences as South Texas’ home for live entertainment, conventions, and community gatherings.
Visit HilliardCenter.com and follow the Hilliard Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest news and event updates.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
