BUFFALO, N.Y. — Eight players with ties to the Sioux Falls Stampede were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Arena in Buffalo on Saturday.
The selections included current Herd forward
Cooper Soller, who was taken in the fifth round (154th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Los Angeles native scored 26 goals and 49 points in 62 games during his rookie campaign. His performance earned him USHL Rookie of the Year and USHL All-Rookie First Team honors. Soller tallied one goal and three assists during the Clark Cup playoffs en route to a championship. He will return to the Stampede this fall.
Goaltender
Ryan Cameron, who was acquired in a trade from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in May, was selected in the seventh round (212th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers. Cameron appeared in 40 games for the RoughRiders last season, posting a 24-11-5 record, a 2.92 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage. He plans to play in Sioux Falls this fall before attending Boston College in 2027.
Other former Stampede players selected included forwards
Ben Wilmott (Vegas Golden Knights, 3–92),
Egor Barabanov (Calgary Flames, 4–100),
Luke Wilfley (New Jersey Devils, 6–172), and
Noah Kosick (Anaheim Ducks, 6–192), defenseman
Hawke Huff (Seattle Kraken, 5–148) and goaltender
Carl Axelsson (Utah Mammoth, 4–115).
The selections marked the first time Stampede players have been selected by the Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Kraken, Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights, as well as a team record seven players (minimum one game played prior to being drafted). It also marked the 13th consecutive season in which at least one Stampede player has been selected in the NHL Draft, a streak dating back to 2013.
The Stampede will begin its 28th season with the USHL Fall Classic in September and home opener on Oct. 3. For season tickets, premium-level seating, and flex books, contact the Stampede front office or stop in at 1111 N Lake Avenue.
