2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Carlos Handel

2024-25 Team: Halifax Mooseheads (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
Date of Birth: Mar 31, 2007
Place of Birth: Erlangen, Germany
Height: 6-feet-1 Weight: 176 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense

Carlos Handel is an offensively-minded defenseman from Germany who has most recently been playing with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. He is known for being a power play merchant and a playmaker. With the Mooseheads in the 2024-25 season, he produced 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 53 games and helped the team out on their playoff run, creating four points (one goal, three assists) in 10 games. He also represented his home country in international play and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He took on the role of captain for Team Germany in IIHF tournaments and produced four points in four games in the under-18 competition. In the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he produced two points in four games.

Scouting Report

Carlos Handel is a defenseman with a keen eye and ability to read plays and crash the net with speed. He finds open lanes and creates stellar passes to his teammates, as evidenced by his high assist totals. When given open space, he quickly develops attacks, finds teammates, and uses his mobility and agility to get the puck where it needs to be. His puck-handling skills are solid, too, and he reliably maintains control of the puck and keeps it within the zone. Handel shines on the power play–leading rushes, creating passing lanes, and acting as the team’s “quarterback”, so to speak. He also has an incredible level of athleticism and excelled at the NHL Draft Combine, where he finished in the top 10 of several anaerobic fitness testing categories, including peak power output and fatigue index, among others.

Handel is another player who is mature beyond his years, both on and off the ice, and brings leadership qualities to the table. He earned the captaincy on Team Germany as they competed in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s U18 tournament. He’s a leader who finds himself unfazed by changes and challenges that he or his team may face. Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis spoke highly of Carlos Handel, saying, “After shining at the World Juniors for Germany, I loved him at the U-18 World Championship. In fact, I’d argue he was Germany’s best defender at every international tournament he skated in this year, no matter the situation. He’s not afraid to get engaged on the rush and is capable of leading a power play, too.”

Carlos Handel’s slim frame could be a concern at the NHL level. As a defenseman, size is a huge advantage, and Handel will need to bulk up significantly to increase his power and physicality to compete against players at the highest level. However, he is unlikely to start in the NHL right away and will likely find himself remaining in the juniors or the American Hockey League for a few seasons, where he will have time to make improvements. A team looking for an offensive defenseman, a power play quarterback, a great leader, and a well-balanced player will find Carlos Handel a valuable asset to their team a season or two down the line.