Markus Belak

Player Overview Markus Belak is an 18-year-old Slovak defenseman competing at the U20 domestic level with HK Spisska Nova Ves, making him a name to track as Slovakia continues to develop blue-line prospects ahead of the 2026 draft cycle.

Current Production Over his last 10 games, Belak has posted 0 goals and 3 assists for 3 points, indicating he contributes primarily as a distributor rather than a shooter from the back end. The minus-3 rating over that same stretch raises questions about his defensive-zone reliability relative to his offensive engagement.

Key Attributes Based on available data, Belak's production comes through the assist column, suggesting he reads the play well enough to find teammates rather than forcing his own shot. His willingness to log minutes at the U20 level in Slovakia at 18 indicates a degree of physical and positional readiness for competitive league play. The negative plus/minus, however, points to a need for tighter gap control or improved defensive-zone positioning when transitions break against him.

2026 Draft Outlook Given his modest production in a developmental domestic league and the concerning plus/minus trend, Belak projects as a later-round consideration — likely in the fifth through seventh round range — unless stronger performances emerge in the back half of the season. The single most pressing area for improvement before June is his defensive-zone structure, as that metric will carry significant weight in how scouts grade his overall two-way value.