Sportsvival is scouting the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, and Boston College forward Oscar Hemming fits the mold of a riser: a big, left-shot winger with first-round tools, real power-forward traits, and enough touch to project into a scoring role at the next level. Hemming is listed by Boston College at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, and public draft boards from Sportsnet and Daily Faceoff have recently placed him in the early-to-mid first-round range.
Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College, 6’4”, 200 lbs
Past Accomplishments – Junior / International Career
Team success: Before arriving at Boston College, Hemming spent three seasons in the Kiekko-Espoo system in Finland. In 2024-25, he dominated the U18 SM-sarja level with 35 goals and 28 assists for 63 points in 31 games, then also played up with Kiekko-Espoo U20, where he posted 10 points in 18 regular-season games and another 9 points in 13 playoff games.
International competition: Hemming also made noise for Finland at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, producing 4 goals and 6 points in 5 games. IIHF’s tournament recap specifically highlighted him as one of Finland’s best performers, and Boston College’s official release pointed to that event as part of the résumé that made him such an intriguing addition.
Career highlights:
His 63-point U18 season made him Kiekko-Espoo U18’s leading scorer, and his transition to Boston College has already shown flashes. Hemming recorded a two-assist game in just his second college appearance against Lake Superior State, added two more assists in the Beanpot semifinal win over Harvard, and scored his first collegiate goal as the game-winner with 36 seconds left against Merrimack.
Background and Prospect Profile
Born: August 13, 2008.
Birthplace: Vaasa, Finland.
Shoots: Left.
Family note: Hemming is the younger brother of Emil Hemming, who was selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Development path:
Hemming originally signed with Kitchener after being selected in the first round of the 2025 OHL Import Draft, but his path got complicated by a contract dispute in Finland. He ultimately joined Boston College in late December, and Daily Faceoff noted that he went 134 days between his last Hlinka game and his first game for the Eagles.
Freshman season at Boston College
Hemming has not been in Chestnut Hill for a full season, but he has already carved out a role. Through 17 games, he has 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, 33 shots, and a game-winning goal for Boston College. He has also already been recognized by Hockey East as Rookie of the Week during his first run through college hockey.
Scouting Report
Skating / pace:
For a player with his frame, Hemming moves well. Multiple evaluators have pointed to the way he covers ice, pressures defenders, and gets into the rush, while Elite Prospects described his first NCAA action as looking like he already belonged at that level because of his speed, board work, and ability to attack space off the wing.
Offensive tools:
Hemming’s profile starts with size, puck touch, and a shot that scouts clearly respect. Sportsnet described him as a power-forward type who uses his frame to bump defenders and drive the net, while another Sportsnet ranking noted his solid puck touch, vision, and top-six power-forward projection. Elite Prospects also called his release “NCAA-calibre” early in his BC stint.
Competitive game:
He is not a perimeter big winger. Sportsnet noted that he is settling into college hockey by asserting himself physically, battling, and finishing checks, and Daily Faceoff emphasized his work ethic away from the puck and the high-energy way he plays for a 6-foot-4 forward. That part of his game is a major reason NHL teams will view him as a translatable prospect.
Areas for Improvement
The biggest next step is turning flashes into more consistent finishing. Sportsnet’s January ranking said Hemming still needs to get to more high-danger scoring areas and convert those chances more often, while Daily Faceoff noted that the production has been modest so far even though the off-puck impact is already there. Given the late start to his season and the jump to NCAA competition, that development curve is understandable, but it is still the swing factor in how high he goes.
NHL Comparison
NHL comparison: Valeri Nichushkin-lite.
This is a style comp, not a ceiling prediction, but it fits. Hemming is a long, powerful winger who can push pace for his size, protect pucks, work through contact, and create offense by getting inside rather than floating outside. He is not as polished or explosive yet, but the blend of length, straight-line pressure, off-puck value, and scoring upside points toward that kind of NHL template.
Draft Outlook
Hemming looks like a legitimate first-round talent in the 2026 NHL Draft. Sportsnet had him No. 13 in one ranking and No. 10 in another, with projections ranging from top-six forward to top-six power forward, and Daily Faceoff placed him No. 13 at midseason. If the finishing touch catches up with the rest of the tool set at Boston College, he has a real chance to stay in the top half of Round 1.
(photo courtesy of the Sporting News)