Sportsvival has become a go‑to source for draft‑season intelligence, blending on‑ice scouting, analytics, and insider reporting to produce player reports that matter to teams and fans alike. Their coverage pairs traditional evaluation: skating, compete, decision‑making, and positional fit, with context from junior leagues, CHL/NCAA commitments, and international play, then translates that synthesis into clear draft ceilings, risk factors, and development timelines. Whether profiling a high‑impact forward or a mobile defenseman, Sportsvival’s scouting notes explain not just what a prospect does today, but how and why he projects at the next level, giving readers a practical roadmap for understanding draft boards and organizational fits.
D-Daxon Rudolph, D, 6’2” 202 lbs
Birthdate: March 6, 2008.
Birthplace: Lacombe, Alberta, Canada.
Current club: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL).
Draft pedigree: Selected first overall in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders.
Committed to: University of Michigan for 2026–27.
Early Days
Rudolph rose through Alberta’s minor system, posting standout numbers at the U15/U18 levels and earning consensus top‑prospect billing ahead of the WHL bantam draft. His youth production and prep play established him as the clear top choice in the 2023 WHL bantam class.
Physical Profile
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 202 lbs - pro‑sized with a long reach and room to add functional strength.
Skating & Tools: Smooth, efficient stride with strong lateral recovery and edge work; his mobility and reach allow him to steer attackers and recover when pressured.
WHL Performance and Stats
2024–25 (WHL): 7 goals, 34 assists, 41 points in 64 games.
2025–26 (WHL, through Feb. 8, 2026): 22 goals, 35 assists, 57 points in 51 games.
Rudolph’s jump in offensive output in 2025–26 reflects a larger role on Prince Albert’s power play, more confidence joining the rush, and improved shot timing and release. He’s logged heavy minutes in all situations and has become a primary breakout trigger for the Raiders.
On‑Ice Production and Impact
Two‑way impact: Projects as a modern two‑way blueliner who defends with length and gap control while consistently making the first pass to ignite transition.
Transition game: Comfortable breaking pressure with paced outlet passes and finding seams to spring rushes.
Special teams: Runs the power play from the point with calm decision making and contributes on the penalty kill with his positioning and reach.
International Resume
Rudolph has been part of Hockey Canada’s age‑group conversations and attended regional camps and national showcases; his WHL role and bantam‑draft pedigree have kept him on the national radar.
Scouting Section
Positives
Size and reach that disrupt passing lanes and create separation.
High hockey IQ with proactive reads and reliable gap management.
Puck‑moving instincts; consistently makes the right first pass and can quarterback a power play.
Offensive growth: marked increase in goal scoring and point production in 2025–26.
Negatives
Physical engagement: can be passive in contested board battles; adding upper‑body strength would help win more puck battles.
Shot power: release is accurate and well‑timed but could add velocity to become a consistent long‑range threat.
Consistency vs elite competition: occasional decision‑making lapses when matched against the fastest, most creative attackers.
Pro Comparison
A modern two‑way defenseman blending the positional steadiness of a young Noah Hanifin with the puck‑movement instincts of Charlie McAvoy , not an elite offensive dynamo today, but a high‑IQ defender who can grow into a top‑pairing role with added strength and a harder shot.
Sportsvival View Draft Projection and Fit
Projection: Top‑8-15 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Rudolph’s combination of size, mobility, puck skill, and his status as the first overall pick in the WHL bantam draft give him a high ceiling for teams seeking a right‑side or versatile left‑side defenseman who can handle heavy minutes and run special teams.
Key considerations: offseason strength gains and added shot power; how quickly he adapts to WHL pace and nightly physicality; and his ability to maintain decision‑making speed against older, pro‑caliber forwards. Those factors will determine whether he becomes a top‑pairing, power‑play driver or a high‑end second‑pairing defenseman with top‑four reliability. Playing at Michigan should help him grow faster as well.
(photo courtesy of Red Deer Advocate)