BUFFALO, NY – The second round of the 2026 NHL Draft started with a bang for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and the Edmonton Oilers, who selected Rudolfs Berzkalns with pick No. 58 from Muskegon.
 
"Really good hockey sense and awareness on the ice. He can play anywhere at 6'4." Said Tony Granato of the NHL Network.
 
Berzkalns possesses an enticing combination of size, strength, and offensive ability. At 6-foot-4 and more than 200 pounds, he uses his frame to control play in the middle of the ice, win battles in high-traffic areas, and create scoring opportunities at both ends of the rink.
 
After suffering a lower-body injury at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship that forced him to miss much of Muskegon's Clark Cup Championship run, Berzkalns returned stronger than ever in 2025-26. He played a pivotal role in the Lumberjacks' return to the Clark Cup Final, emerging as one of the team's most reliable and impactful players throughout the postseason.
 
Over two seasons in Muskegon, Berzkalns appeared in 91 regular-season games, recording 33 points while establishing himself as one of the USHL's premier NHL prospects. He also added 10 points in 16 career Clark Cup Playoff games, showcasing his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most.
   
About the Muskegon Lumberjacks
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud and dedicated members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The club's goal is to create an environment where student-athletes develop into successful young men, both on and off the ice. This includes playing the game the right way while maintaining academic excellence in the classroom and staying actively involved in the West Michigan community. The organization is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and top-notch family entertainment while serving as positive role models for the youth and local community.