Blue Jackets summer 2026 top prospects #14, Jeremy Loranger quietly had a decent Freshman season in the NCAA

Jérémy Loranger has been an intriguing prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets ever since he was drafted 198th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and he continued to be that, albeit with perhaps less hype than he did after becoming the BCHL’s MVP after the 2025 season. Whether he can become an NHL talent? The jury’s still out. 

The top prospects list was compiled by a collective ranking from all of the writers at Union and Blue: Matthew Duffey, Mike Stump, Weston Motz, Struan McNevan, and Curtis Deem. We only include players 24 years and under, with fewer than 25 NHL games. Stats are from the previous season, in the league where each player spent the most time. Projections are based on top-end upside. 

Top prospect #14: F Jeremy Loranger

How we ranked him: Curtis (16), Mike (13), Matthew (18), Weston (13), Struan (16). Jeremy was ranked #18 on last year's list. 

Jérémy Loranger, out of Trois-Rivières, Québec, was seen as a high upside, very low floor prospect after a stellar BHCL draft year campaign that saw him put up an incredible 105 points in 45 games.

This earned him the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy as the CHL MVP, also won by names like Kent Johnson, Paul Kariya and Brett Hull. While this production is impressive, it’s important to note that the BCHL is certainly a step behind in competition when compared to major junior leagues like the CHL & USHL. 

Despite the major step up in competition, and I do mean major, between the BCHL and NCHC, Loranger put up a more more-than-respectable 7-12-19 line in 28 games with the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a -11 rating on a bad Ohama team, good for 0.67 PPG in his rookie NCAA campaign. He gained some power play time and made the most of it with some highlight real plays.

I don’t think that you can make a strong campaign, just yet, for Loranger to be higher in our rankings of CBJ prospects, considering some of the names yet to come. However, should he increase his production next season…

Pros: Strong offensive game, great shot, grit to get into the tough areas of the offensive zone
Cons: Lack of any defensive game, woefully undersized, will get easily pushed around in the physicality of the NHL without more strength
Projection: Undersized playmaking top-six winger

I want to believe that Jérémy Loranger, being the already skilled playmaker that he is, can become the next Johnny Gaudreau. Did he have the same Freshman year Johnny Hockey did? No. But has he shown the scoring ability to do so? Absolutely. 

Loranger seems to have the drive and tenacity to figure out how to do so. Now he just has to prove it. 

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