Alex Huang (D, R, 6’0″, 171, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, 08/30/2007)
Alex Huang is a skilled, puck-moving right-shot defenseman who plays with control, intelligence, and a clear offensive mindset. He produced 40 points (7 goals, 33 assists) in 64 games for Chicoutimi, finishing second among team defensemen in all three scoring categories. Huang also represented Canada at the 2025 U18 World Championships, posting 4 assists in 6 games and finishing with a +3 rating while playing mostly in a secondary role. At 6’0″ and 170–175 pounds, he is slightly underweight by NHL standards but has a skating base that should support further strength gains and weight.
Huang’s game is driven by excellent skating, elite passing accuracy (92%), and high-end offensive anticipation (1.8 pre-shot passes/game). He consistently pushes the pace and contributes in transition and on the power play (3:00 PP TOI/game). He handles heavy minutes (22:24 TOI) and is trusted in offensive-zone starts (11:01 PIA/game), while playing sparingly on the penalty kill. However, he lacks a physical dimension (0.63 hits/game) and can be exposed when pressured physically or forced into defensive-zone puck battles (59% win rate in QMJHL; only 48% in U18s). His shot needs development, as he had 1.63 shots blocked and 1.11 missed shots per game — over half of his attempts do not reach the net.
Why Huang Should Be Drafted
1) High-End Puck Movement and Vision
Huang’s 92% passing accuracy and 1.8 pre-shot passes per game are elite for junior defenders. He distributes cleanly from the blue line and generates offense with purpose and deception. His puck movement drives zone entries and puck possession for his team.
2) Strong Skating and Offensive Transitions
He skates with ease and efficiency, allowing him to escape pressure and join the rush. His ability to recover and gap up in transition helps offset the lack of physicality in his game.
3) Power Play Quarterback Potential
With 3:00 per game of power play time and a shooter’s mentality (4.9 shot attempts/game), Huang shows clear PP upside. His ability to manipulate defenders and find seams is translatable, and his shot creation could increase significantly with better shot selection.
4) Reliable Under Pressure and Willing to Block Shots
Despite lacking strength, Huang is responsible in his own end. He averages 1.23 blocked shots per game and rarely takes penalties (just 16 PIMs in 64 QMJHL games, zero in six U18 games). His reads are sharp, and he’s willing to sacrifice for his team.
Why Huang May Not Be Drafted
1) Lacks Physicality and Strength to Win Defensive Zone Battles
Huang isn’t physical (0.63 hits/game) and can be overpowered down low or net-front. His puck battle win rate dropped from 59% in the QMJHL to 48% in the U18 tournament — a concern when projecting to pro-level matchups.
2) Shot Efficiency and Offensive Conversion Needs Work
He converts only 7% of his scoring chances and has over 50% of his shot attempts blocked or missed the net. For a defenseman with offensive upside, this level of inefficiency must improve if he’s going to make an impact at the next level.
3) Uneven Usage in High-Stakes Settings
At the U18 Worlds, Huang’s minutes fluctuated dramatically, peaking at 19:47 and dipping to 8:00. While still productive, this inconsistency in usage reflects questions about his readiness for top-pair roles against elite competition.
4) Narrow Role Profile at Present
Huang is not yet a three-zone defender. He provides clear offensive value but isn’t trusted in key penalty kill situations and still needs to develop the defensive reliability needed to log hard minutes against top competition.
Projection & Recommendation
Projection: Second-unit power play defenseman; puck-moving #5–#6 D
Development Track: One more season in the QMJHL to build strength, improve shot accuracy, and refine defensive-zone engagement. Then 2–3 seasons in the AHL with a focus on handling forecheck pressure, net-front defense, and transition coverage.
Draft Range: 5th Round
Verdict: Huang is a clear draftable defenseman with a modern skill set built around skating, puck movement, and offensive reads. While his physical game and defensive-zone strength need work, his offensive IQ, vision, and ability to drive play give him real NHL upside as a puck-distributing third-pair defenseman or second-unit power play option. With targeted strength development and improved shot efficiency, Huang has the tools to work his way into an NHL lineup.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images