Marian Beres

Player Overview Marian Beres is an 18-year-old Slovak defenseman playing for HC Presov U20 in Slovakia's second-tier U20 league, a player whose strong plus-minus warrants attention from scouts building depth profiles ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Current Production Over his last 8 games, Beres has posted 1G-2A-3PTS with a +8 rating, a number that suggests consistent defensive-zone reliability even if his raw point totals are modest at the U20-2 level.

Key Attributes The +8 differential across just 8 games is the most telling indicator in his file — it points to a player who consistently drives favorable outcomes when on the ice, likely through structured positional play and sound gap management rather than offensive instigation. His production skews toward distribution (2A, 1G), suggesting he reads plays and moves the puck out of danger rather than forcing offense. Playing in a secondary league, these traits carry less weight than they would at the top tier, but the pattern of low-event, positive-outcome play is a foundational quality scouts value in defensive prospects.

2026 Draft Outlook Given the level of competition and limited statistical volume, Beres projects as a late-round target — likely in the sixth or seventh round — for organizations prioritizing structure and defensive upside over offensive projection. Before June, he must demonstrate his game translates against top-tier Slovak U20 competition to strengthen his draft case.