Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 3 vs Kitchener Rangers 2 – October 9th, 2026

The Rangers started this one off with a goal very late into the 1st period; Tanner Lam made a quick pass to Luca Romano for a short one-timer to make it 1-0 going into the 2nd. The game was end-to-end action, but neither team could capitalize on any opportunities, and it would remain 1-0 going into the 3rd. Kitchener opened the 3rd perfectly as top 2027 NHL prospect Luca Santala fired a shot from the circle; it deflected more than once but found its way past Vermirovsky for a 2-0 lead. Brady Smith would bring the hounds within one with a beautiful one-handed tuck five-hole, and with 2 minutes remaining, Rangers goaltender Jason Schaubel would make his first mistake all game: a bad puck bounce off the boards, and he ended up dropping his stick before swatting it away, where Ryan Kaczynski would tap it in the empty net. Jakub Winklehofer would win it for the Greyhounds a minute into overtime. The Standouts Luca Santala – Luca had a slower start to the game, but looked great in the 2nd and 3rd. An ability of his that really stood out to me was his puck protection; he was very strong on his skates and used his body to distance the puck from defenders while keeping his head up, looking to make plays. He showed very good vision and made many slick passes, especially on the power play; he thinks ahead of the play and is able to put himself in scoring opportunities before they develop.

Michael’s Monthly: September

2027 NHL Draft Rankings: DuPont, Neuenschwander, and Privalov Lead Round 1

10 – Luca Santala (6’2″ | 190lbs | C/W | London Knights | Finland) I really like Luca Santala right now, and his development is about to skyrocket in a London program that continues to pump out first-round picks. He is a mature player who prioritizes the defensive end first, driving a strong transition game which is backed by a 6’2” frame, soft hands, and a nose for the net when needed. Santala has been tremendous internationally, racking up 6 points over 5 games at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and as an underager at the U18s, while also posting a strong 5 points in 4 games at the U17 World Hockey Challenge. Whether he ultimately projects at center or on the wing remains a question mark, but with a strong year in London, Santala could hear his name called very early on draft night.

The Elite Showcase: Scouting the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Luca Santala, RW/C (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) The Tape: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds | London Knights (OHL) The Analysis: Santala used this tournament as a perfect bridge before making his highly anticipated North American transition to the OHL. He is a pure, unadulterated sniper who leans heavily into a volume-shooting mentality. What impresses is his spatial awareness; Santala has an innate ability to let the play develop around him before drifting into dangerous mid-range shooting lanes to release a heavy, heavy wrist shot.

Standout Prospects at the 2025 U17 World Hockey Challenge

Luka Santala – Right Wing

Santala was not only one of the top Finns, but he was also one of the better players in this tournament. While his five points in four games didn’t get him into the top 10 in points, Finland only scored 11 goals total, and he factored into nearly half of their offence.

Offensively:

Santala is a big, 6-foot-2, 176-pound, right-handed centre, which immediately makes him a desirable prospect. His offensive game helps that as he is a consistent play driver. He is highly effective playing a no-nonsense style of two-way game. His skating is good for this level, but it is an area that will need improvement as he moves up. He tends to prefer slowing the pace of play to take control and will need to learn to play with more speed and pace.

Physically, he uses his frame well to protect the puck and to initiate contact when needed. He has a high IQ, which is evident when watching his off-puck play. When not directly involved in generating the cycle or in a board battle, he was quietly moving through the offensive zone, looking for any soft spot that he could exploit in a high-danger area. When that wasn’t the case, he showed he isn’t reliant on only one trick; he also consistently identified when he would need to drive to the net or look for rebounds.

He did well in the faceoff dot. If he didn’t win his matchup, he was quick to tie up his counterpart, using his frame to shield his area of responsibility and allow for a teammate to jump in and gain possession. Santala wasn’t a passive rider, looking to strike with an opportunistic play; instead, he was deliberate, showing an ability to read evolving plays and to choose the correct action to his and his team’s advantage.

As with most Finnish players, he isn’t a flashy offensive player, instead relying on a full set of tools. His size and physicality make him most effective when making plays off the cycle, using his good vision and passing skills to create offensive opportunities. He is consistently above the puck, rarely, if ever, cheating to the offensive side of the puck. His calm and calculated nature allows him to remain patient with the puck, even under pressure. Combine his size with his vision to let him absorb the contact, protect possession and complete a quick and accurate pass, or release a quick shot.

Defensively:

Santala was highly effective defensively. As in the offensive zone, his hockey IQ is an asset here, as his off-puck play is very strong. He showed consistency, pursuing attackers deep into his own zone, initiating contact or providing support to his defencemen. He was also quick to identify his best use defensively, as he also took care of net-front responsibilities when the defenders were engaged in one-on-one battles.