Nolan
Nilsson

Executive scouting summary

Competitive reliability

Nolan produced a strong 2025–26 season with the Nashville Jr. Predators 16U Tier II, combining statistical efficiency and a substantial workload with repeated success in championship and elimination games. His profile is built on technical polish, composure, and consistency rather than any single result.

He won four of six tournament championship starts, went 3–0 in three starts at USA Hockey Nationals, earned All-South recognition, and was evaluated among the top goaltenders at an NAHL junior combine. Together, those results support his high-end current profile and projection toward junior and collegiate hockey.

2025–26 statistical profile

Efficiency across a meaningful workload

Five shutouts in 22 regular-season appearances—a 22.7% shutout rate—reinforce the strong efficiency and consistency reflected in his save percentage, goals-against average, and workload.

Championship and high-leverage performance

Results when the margin narrows

Beyond the results shown above, Nolan stopped every shootout attempt he faced at the Music City Classic, allowed only three goals combined in two silver-medal finishes, and played the entire overtime semifinal victory against the nationally No. 2-ranked Naperville Sabres.

USA Hockey Nationals and All-South recognition

3–0 in three starts

Nolan started wins against Littleton, Raleigh, and Montana, then entered in relief against Princeton following an injury to the starting goaltender. Across four appearances, he finished 3–1 with a 2.37 GAA, .889 save percentage, and a 4–0 quarterfinal shutout against Montana.

The shutout reinforced his ability to maintain concentration and execute in a national elimination environment.

Following the tournament, Nolan was one of three goaltenders selected to the 15/16U USA Hockey Nationals All-South Team and the only 2010-born selection at the position.

NAHL junior combine · April 2026

Among the top goaltenders against older competition

Among the 28 goaltenders at the combine, Nolan was the only one born in 2010; the other 27 were born between 2006 and 2009. Attending NAHL scouts and coaches evaluated him as one of the top goaltenders at the combine.

The combine provides an evaluation point outside his normal age group and shows that his technique and performance translated against older competition, supporting his competitive adaptability and projection toward higher levels.

Technical goaltending assessment

9/10 · Third-party scout and coach evaluation

Nolan’s technical game has been evaluated through in-person observation and extensive video review. Reported strengths cover the primary areas used to evaluate the position:

Evaluation basis: the grade reflects attributed third-party evaluations by scouts and goaltending coaches rather than a separate technical evaluation conducted for this report.

Scouting evaluation and grades

Overall current prospect profile · 9/10

Grades use a 10-point report scale for the current 16U–18U prospect group: 8 indicates a strong profile, 9 a high-end profile, and 10 an exceptional profile.

Development priorities

Next-stage focus

• Refine rebound placement against increasing shot velocity.
• Develop visual attachment through increasingly sophisticated screens, tips, and deflections.
• Maintain structure and recovery efficiency following initial saves.

Projection

2026–27 outlook

The next stage is to demonstrate that Nolan’s statistical efficiency, technical strengths, and competitive performance continue to translate as the level rises. His NAHL combine evaluation provides an encouraging benchmark against older goaltenders.

His performance history, national recognition, and successful exposure to older competition support future consideration at the junior and collegiate levels. If his development continues along its current trajectory, his technical foundation, competitive record, and success against older opponents give him the potential to earn opportunities in junior and collegiate hockey.