Zachary Jovanovski, an 18-year-old goaltender from Tecumseh, Ontario, was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft — the second goaltender Carolina took in this draft class. The 6-foot-3 netminder’s path to the NHL Draft began as a seventh-round OHL pick in 2023, and he steadily climbed into one of the league’s most-watched draft-eligible goaltenders.
Jovanovski earned OHL Goaltender of the Month honors in February of his draft season, a recognition built on his composure, athleticism, and ability to come up with timely saves while playing in front of an average Guelph squad. Scouts highlight his strong positional game, which makes most straight shots routine, and he was ranked 10th among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings before settling into a B-grade prospect by year’s end.
Jovanovski played his draft season with the OHL’s Guelph Storm, posting a .890 save percentage across 52 games, continuing his development as one of the more notable late risers among goaltenders in this draft class.
Stats and info via eliteprospects.com & other media reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Zachary Jovanovski? Zachary Jovanovski was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.
What team did Zachary Jovanovski play for before the draft? He played for the Guelph Storm in the OHL.
What makes Zachary Jovanovski’s path notable? He was a seventh-round OHL pick in 2023 who climbed all the way to a top-10 ranking among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.
What’s Zachary Jovanovski’s playing style? Scouts describe him as a strong positional goaltender who makes straight shots look routine, with composure and athleticism that stand out even on a middling team.
How tall is Zachary Jovanovski? He stands 6-foot-3.
