Ben Wilmott has become one of the more interesting overage names connected to the 2026 NHL Draft. After being passed over previously, the Barrie Colts forward has used the 2025-26 season to force his way back into the conversation through production, versatility, and a strong playoff showing in the OHL.
His path has not been simple. Wilmott’s hockey journey started in Seattle and has taken him through several stops, including New Jersey, Chicago, Sioux Falls, London, and Barrie. That route has shaped him into a persistent, competitive player who has continued to develop even when NHL clubs did not call his name in earlier draft years.
Player Information
| Player | Ben Wilmott |
| 2025-26 Team | Barrie Colts, OHL |
| Date of Birth | August 30, 2006 |
| Birthplace | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Height | 6-foot-1 |
| Weight | 190 pounds |
| Shoots | Left |
| Position | Center / Left Wing |
| NHL Draft Status | 2026 re-entry prospect |
| College Commitment | Ohio State Buckeyes, 2026-27 |
Wilmott’s profile is appealing because he offers more than one path to usefulness. He can play center or left wing, contribute on special teams, take important faceoffs, and bring a physical edge. That combination can be valuable for teams searching for late-round players with practical roles.
Draft Ranking
NHL Central Scouting listed Wilmott at 71st among North American skaters. That ranking reflects a major climb during the season, as his play with both the London Knights and Barrie Colts helped him gain attention as one of the notable risers in the re-entry group.
His rise reportedly included a jump of 94 spots, which speaks to how much his stock changed as the year progressed. While age and previous draft history may keep him out of the early-round discussion, his late-season form has made him much harder for scouts to ignore.
Breakout Playoff Performance
Wilmott’s strongest argument for being selected in 2026 has come during the OHL playoffs. He has been one of Barrie’s most dangerous offensive players, producing goals at a high rate and showing that his game can remain effective when the competition becomes more intense.
- Ranked fifth in the OHL playoffs with 11 goals at the time referenced.
- Tied for seventh in playoff scoring with 22 points.
- Played a key role on Barrie’s top line with Emil Hemming and Mason Zebeski.
- Helped that line combine for 65 playoff points.
- Showed offensive instincts through both passing plays and finishing chances.
Those numbers matter because overage prospects often need to do more than simply produce. They need to stand out. Wilmott has done that by driving offense in meaningful games and by showing that he can contribute in several different ways.
Offensive Profile
Wilmott’s offensive game is built around versatility. He is not limited to one type of scoring chance. He can move the puck, make plays in transition, support the rush, and place himself in strong finishing positions.
One of the standout examples came in the OHL Final against Kitchener, where he delivered a well-timed saucer pass to Emil Hemming on the rush to help create a goal. That kind of play shows vision, timing, and touch, especially under playoff pressure.
At the same time, Wilmott is not just a setup player. He has also shown an ability to finish plays himself, which makes him harder to defend. His playoff goal total suggests that he can convert chances when given space or when playing with skilled linemates.
Why Teams May Be Interested
NHL teams looking at Wilmott will likely see a player whose improvement curve is one of the most important parts of his profile. He has continued to develop after being overlooked, and that persistence can be attractive in later rounds.
- He brings size and physical presence at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds.
- He can play both center and left wing.
- He has experience in important OHL situations.
- He can contribute offensively without needing a one-dimensional role.
- He is committed to Ohio State, giving him another development path in the NCAA.
His move to the Big Ten should give NHL teams a better look at how his game translates against older, stronger, and more structured competition. That next step could be important for determining whether he becomes a pro-contract candidate.
Strengths
| Strength | Scouting Notes |
|---|---|
| Physical presence | Uses his frame well and can bring a competitive edge to shifts. |
| Playmaking | Shows touch as a passer and can create chances for linemates. |
| Rush offense | Can be effective when attacking in transition and supporting quick plays. |
| Competitiveness | Plays with energy and has continued to push forward despite being passed over before. |
| Versatility | Can line up at center or left wing and contribute in different situations. |
Wilmott’s best traits make him more than a pure offensive gamble. His size, competitiveness, and positional flexibility give him a possible path to a useful role even if he does not become a high-end scorer.
Areas for Improvement
Like many prospects in this range, Wilmott still has areas that need work. His offensive growth has been encouraging, but NHL clubs will want to see more consistency in the parts of the game that do not always show up on the scoresheet.
- Improve his speed and overall pace.
- Become more detailed away from the puck.
- Limit risky puck decisions and turnovers.
- Continue developing two-way habits against stronger competition.
- Show that his playoff production can carry into the NCAA level.
The move to Ohio State should be useful in this area. College hockey can give him time to refine his skating, improve defensive habits, and adjust to a more demanding physical environment.
Scouting Perspective
Neutral evaluations have pointed to Wilmott as a skilled offensive forward with middle-six upside if his development continues. His ability to help on a secondary power-play unit and contribute as a complementary offensive piece could make him interesting at the NCAA level.
The main question is whether he can tighten his two-way detail and reduce the risk in his puck management. If he does, he could work his way into pro-contract consideration and eventually compete for a depth role.
Barrie’s management has also highlighted his competitiveness, offensive instincts, junior experience, and complete-game potential as reasons he can be a valuable addition to a lineup.
NHL Draft Projection
Wilmott projects as a late-round candidate in the 2026 NHL Draft. His overage status may limit how early teams consider him, but his playoff production and overall growth have made him a realistic name to watch.
The most likely scenario is that a team views him as a worthwhile later-round bet because of his size, versatility, and improved offensive output. Strong centers and multi-position forwards are always useful, especially if they can handle different situations.
Potential NHL Role
Wilmott’s long-term projection is likely as a middle-to-bottom-six forward. He may not profile as a guaranteed NHL scorer, but he has tools that could translate into a useful support role if his skating and off-puck game improve.
| Projection Area | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Likely NHL Role | Middle-to-bottom-six forward |
| Best Fit | Versatile center or winger with special teams utility |
| Development Path | OHL to NCAA with Ohio State |
| Draft Range | Later rounds |
| Main Selling Point | Improvement curve, playoff production, and versatility |
If Wilmott continues to build on his late-season momentum, he could become the type of player who earns a professional opportunity through steady development rather than draft-year hype.
Risk and Reward
Wilmott carries a relatively moderate profile for a late-round prospect. The risk is not extreme because he already has size, experience, versatility, and a clear NCAA development route. The reward is also realistic rather than explosive, as his ceiling appears more connected to becoming a useful depth or support forward.
- Risk: 2 out of 5
- Reward: 3 out of 5
For a team selecting later in the draft, that balance could be appealing. Wilmott may not be a high-risk swing, but he has shown enough progress to justify attention.
Fantasy Hockey Outlook
From a fantasy hockey perspective, Wilmott is more of a long-term watchlist player than an immediate target. His offensive playoff run is encouraging, but his projected NHL role may limit fantasy upside unless his scoring continues to grow at the NCAA and pro levels.
| Offensive Potential | 6 out of 10 |
| Defensive Potential | 6 out of 10 |
His value in fantasy formats would likely depend on whether he can become more than a depth forward. If his playmaking and finishing continue to develop, he could offer some secondary scoring upside in the future.
Final Thoughts
Ben Wilmott’s draft story is built around persistence. He has been overlooked before, but his 2025-26 season has shown real growth. His playoff performance with Barrie has been especially important, giving scouts a stronger reason to revisit his profile.
He offers size, competitiveness, positional versatility, playmaking ability, and a clear next step with Ohio State. While he still needs to add speed and become more reliable away from the puck, his improvement curve has made him a legitimate later-round candidate for the 2026 NHL Draft.
For teams looking for a mature, versatile forward with playoff production and continued development ahead of him, Wilmott could be a name worth calling in Buffalo.