Matej Beres

Player Overview Matej Beres is an 18-year-old Slovak defenseman playing senior men's hockey at HC Slovan Bratislava, and his participation in Slovakia's silver medal run at the 2026 U18 World Championship — including a notable upset victory over Canada — puts him squarely on NHL scouts' radar heading into June.

Current Production Over his last 10 games with Slovan Bratislava, Beres has recorded 0 goals and 2 assists for 2 points alongside a minus-5 rating, numbers that indicate a limited offensive footprint at the club level and raise questions about his ability to drive play consistently.

Key Attributes Beres demonstrated the composure and compete level necessary to perform against elite international competition, contributing to victories over top hockey nations at the U18 World Championship in what scouts will view as a high-pressure environment. His ability to earn roster time with a senior men's club in Slovakia at age 18 suggests a physical and defensive maturity that outpaces many peers in his draft class. The silver medal result adds meaningful context to his international credibility, even if his offensive tools remain largely unvalidated by raw statistical production.

2026 Draft Outlook Beres projects as a mid-to-late round candidate whose defensive profile and international pedigree give him a floor, but his minus-5 at the club level signals he must demonstrate cleaner defensive zone execution and a stronger two-way impact before scouts can justify moving him up boards in June.