2025 Picks at a Glance
* Nashville and Philadelphia lead all teams with three picks apiece in Round 1. The Flyers also pace all clubs with six picks across Rounds 1-2.
* The Canadiens lead all clubs with 12 picks, seven of which are within Rounds 1-3 – tied with the Flyers for the most.
* Six teams have a double-digit pick count: Montreal (12), Pittsburgh (11), Anaheim (10), Buffalo (10), Chicago (10) and Philadelphia (10).
* Ten teams will make their first selection of 2025 on Day 2. Six clubs will first select in Round 2 (MIN, NJD, NYR, TBL, TOR & VGK), two in Round 3 (DAL & EDM) and two in Round 4 (COL & FLA).
Stocking Up on Round 1 Selections
* Eight teams have multiple Round 1 picks this year after six clubs made two or more selections in the 2024 first round (3 – CHI; 2 – ANA, CGY, MTL, SJS, UTA).
* Columbus could make multiple Round 1 selections for the fifth time (3 in 2021 & 2013; 2 in 2022 & 2015).
* Calgary could make multiple Round 1 selections in consecutive years for the first time in franchise history (2 in 2024).
* Chicago could make multiple Round 1 selections for the fourth straight year (2022 to 2024; 8 R1 picks). If they do, the Blackhawks will become the fourth club in draft history to do so after the Canadiens (2x; 5 from 1974 to 1978 & 5 from 1968 to 1972; 14 R1 picks each time) and Capitals (4 from 1993 to 1996; 8 R1 picks).
* Montreal could make multiple Round 1 selections for the second straight year (2 in 2024). If they do, it will be the fifth time the franchise makes multiple picks in consecutive drafts; each instance: five from 1968 to 1972 (14 R1 picks), five from 1974 to 1978 (14 R1 picks), two from 2000 to 2001 (4 R1 picks) and two from 1984 to 1985 (4 R1 picks).
* Nashville could make three Round 1 selections for the first time in franchise history. They have made multiple first-round picks in three drafts (2023, 2021 & 2008).
* Philadelphia could make three Round 1 selections for the first time in 47 years and second time overall (3 in 1978). Overall, the Flyers have made multiple first-round picks eight times (also 2 in 2023, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2003, 1992 and 1971).
* Pittsburgh could make multiple Round 1 selections for the fourth time (3 in 1984; 2 in 2012 & 1967). The Penguins are slated to pick at No. 11 and No. 12, which would mark the first time in franchise history that they make consecutive picks in Round 1.
* San Jose could make multiple Round 1 selections for the third straight year (2023 to 2024; 4 R1 picks), which would be a franchise first. The only other time they made multiple Round 1 picks in two straight years was from 1996 to 1997 (4 R1 picks).
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Pick announced by: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
* Schaefer’s 1.29 points per game in 2024-25 (7-15—22 in 17 GP) was the third-highest mark by any OHL defenseman (min. 2 GP) trailing only Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh (1.75 P/GP) and London Knights defenseman Sam Dickinson (1.65 P/GP).
* Schaefer was named to Team Canada’s roster for the 2025 World Junior Championship and tallied 1-1—2 in 2 GP before an injury forced him out of the tournament.
* Schaefer joins John Tavares (2009), Rick DiPietro (2000), Denis Potvin (1973) and Billy Harris (1972) as the fifth No. 1 pick by the Islanders franchise.
* Schaefer is the first player from the Ontario Hockey League to be selected first overall since Connor McDavid (also out of Erie) in 2015 and the first OHL defenseman to be picked No. 1 since Aaron Ekblad a year earlier (2014).
* Schaefer is just the fifth defenseman this quarter century to be chosen with the first overall pick, after Owen Power (2021 by BUF), Rasmus Dahlin (2018 by BUF), Aaron Ekblad (2014 by FLA) and Erik Johnson (2006 by STL). Ekblad is one of three OHL defensemen to go No. 1 in the NHL Draft.
* NHL.com detailed how Schaefer will honor the memory of his late mother during the draft.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Schaefer was also featured in this year’s “Welcome to the NHL” show. 
Pick announced by: WWE superstar Bayley
* Misa led the CHL (OHL/WHL/QMJHL) in scoring after posting 62-72—134 (65 GP). He won the OHL scoring race by a 10-point margin, recording the league’s highest single-season point total since 2006-07 (Patrick Kane had 145 points that year, while John Tavares ranked second with 134).
* Misa was granted “exceptional player” status by Hockey Canada, making him eligible for the 2022 OHL Priority selection at an earlier age, and was selected first overall by Saginaw. In his rookie season of 2022-23, Misa was named OHL Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year skaters with 22-34—56 in 45 GP.
* Helped Saginaw win the Memorial Cup in his second OHL season (2023-24), where he produced at a point-per-game rate in the tournament (0-5—5 in 5 GP).
* His brother, Luke, was a fifth-round pick by the Flames in 2024 (150th overall) and skated for the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads in 2024-25.
* This marks the fourth time the Sharks have selected second overall: Franchise icon Patrick Marleau (1997), as well as Andrei Zyuzin (1996) and Pat Falloon (1991) are the others.
* With Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa going first and second overall, it marks the first time since 2010 that the top two picks in the NHL Draft were from the OHL. That draft also was held in Los Angeles.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Misa was also featured in this year’s “Welcome to the NHL” show and as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series. 
Pick announced by: Blackhawks Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick
* Playing as a 17-year-old in 2024-25, Frondell produced at a near point-per-game pace (11-14—25 in 29 GP) to finish with the second-most points ever recorded by a player age 17 or younger in Sweden’s second division (behind William Nylander in 2013-14).
* Frondell is the eighth Swedish-born player to be selected among the top three of an NHL Draft, joining Rasmus Dahlin ( No. 1 in 2018 by BUF), Mats Sundin (No. 1 in 1989 by QUE), Leo Carlsson (No. 2 in 2023 by ANA), Gabriel Landeskog (No. 2 in 2011 by COL), Victor Hedman (No. 2 in 2009 by TBL), Daniel Sedin (No. 2 in 1999 by VAN) and Henrik Sedin (No. 3 in 1999 by VAN).
* The Blackhawks are the first team since the Oilers from 2010 to 2012 to make a top three selection in three consecutive years (also Artyom Levshunov in 2024 and Connor Bedard in 2023). Edmonton held the No. 1 pick in each of those drafts, choosing Taylor Hall (No. 1 in 2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (No. 1 in 2011) and Nail Yakupov (No. 1 in 2012).
* Chicago has struck gold with previous No. 3 selections, including Denis Savard in 1980 and Jonathan Toews in 2006. Savard, a Hall of Famer, owns the franchise record with five 100-point seasons and ranks fourth on Chicago’s all-time points list. Toews captained the Blackhawks for 15 seasons and led them to three Stanley Cup championships (2010, 2013 & 2015).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: PGA golfer and Utah native Tony Finau
* Amassed 35-49—84 in 56 GP to finish the season tied for fifth in scoring across the league and ninth in assists. He also recorded a 15-game point streak (12-15—27), which was the third longest by a QMJHL player this season.
* Posted 9-21—30 (19 GP) to help the Wildcats win the 2024 QMJHL championship. He finished second in scoring and first in assists across the league in the postseason to earn QMJHL Playoffs MVP (Guy Lafleur Trophy) and went on to tally 1-1—2 (4 GP) during the Memorial Cup.
* Is a three-time gold medalist, winning the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (3-2—5 in 8 GP), where he wore an ‘A,’ the 2024 Under-18 World Championship (1-4—5 in 5 GP) and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (1-4—5 in 5 GP).
* Caleb Desnoyers was selected fourth overall by the Utah Mammoth. The last player to be drafted as high from the QMJHL was Alexis Lafreniere in 2020 (1st overall by NYR).
* His brother, Elliot, was selected by the Flyers 135th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. He spent four years playing in the QMJHL and concluded his time in the league by captaining the Halifax Mooseheads. Elliot appeared in four games with Philadelphia in 2022-23 and has spent the past three seasons playing in the AHL.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Desnoyers was also featured in NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Predators Hall of Famer Shea Weber
* Averaged 1.26 points per game to finish with the second-most points on his team with 33-39—72 (57 GP) after posting 11 three-point games, two four-point outings and a five-point performance. Martin’s totals were a 44-point improvement from his rookie campaign.
* Won gold with Canada at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, where he wore an ‘A’ for his team and finished tied for fifth in tournament scoring (3-8—11 in 7 GP), as well as at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (0-4—4 in 5 GP).
* Martin was featured by NHL.com on his unique story of hard work and chores on the farm that included tending to 60,000 chickens – his family owns a dairy farm in Elora, Ontario and Martin said he grew up knowing it was farm chores first, hockey second.
* The last time three of the top five picks were selected from the same league was 2021 when Owen Power (1st by BUF), Matty Beniers (2nd by SEA) and Kent Johnson (5th by CBJ) were each drafted out of Michigan of the NCAA’s Big 10.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Martin was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: NBA legend Charles Barkley
* Captain of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads in 2024-25, Martone concluded the season seventh in points (tied), fourth in game-winning goals (tied) and 11th in goals (tied) across the league (37-61—98 in 57 GP).
* One of three draft-eligible players on Team Canada’s roster at the 2025 World Junior Championship (1-0—1 in 3 GP). He also represented his country alongside Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon at the 2025 World Championship.
* His father, Mike, was a fourth-round pick by the Sabres in the 1996 NHL Draft (106th overall).
* The last player selected sixth overall by the Flyers was Peter Forsberg in 1991.
* Porter Martone told Flyers general manager Daniel Briere in the NHL Draft House he was photographed in a Flyers jersey as a kid and said he had a poster of Claude Giroux on his wall.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Martone was also featured in this year’s “Welcome to the NHL” show and as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore
* Hagens concluded the 2024-25 season fourth in points among NCAA freshmen (11-26—37 in 37 GP) and third on Boston College in scoring behind teammates who had already been drafted and eventually made NHL debuts in 2024-25: Ryan Leonard (49 points; No. 8 in 2023 by WSH) and Gabriel Perreault (48 points; No. 23 in 2023 by NYR).
* Hagens won gold at the 2025 World Junior Championship and finished tied for the fourth-most goals in the tournament (5) and fourth on Team USA in points (9).
* Led USA Hockey’s National Development Program’s Under-18 Team in 2023-24 after posting 39- 63—102 (58 GP) – 13 points more than the next-closest player (Cole Eiserman: No. 20 in 2024 by NYI).
* Plays with his brother, Michael, at Boston College. Their father, Michael Sr., played three seasons of college hockey at SUNY-Brockport (NCAA Division III).
* James Hagens (Boston College) is the third Bruins first-round pick to be selected from either Boston College or Boston University, following Charlie McAvoy (No. 14 in 2016; BU) and Craig Janney (No. 13 in 1986; BC).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Hagens was also featured in this year’s “Welcome to the NHL” show and as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer
* Finished the season tied for seventh in assists and points across the OHL after amassing 32-66—98 (66 GP), while his 41 power-play assists led the league. His season included two hat tricks, a five-point outing and 14 games with three-plus points, which helped Brantford finish first in their conference.
* Led the OHL in points and assists among rookies in 2023-24 after posting 13-51—64 (61 GP), which included 19 multi-point games. His 51 assists were 15 more than the next-closest rookie. He was named OHL rookie of the year that season.
* His mother, Amy Turek, was a women’s hockey star in the 90s playing Canadian University Hockey at Wilfred Laurier University, for the Beatrice Aeros of the NWHL and for Team Canada at various events.
* O’Brien is the fourth top-10 pick in Kraken history, following Matty Beniers (No. 2 in 2021), Shane Wright (No. 4 in 2022) and Berkly Catton (No. 8 in 2024).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. O’Brien was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Goo Goo Dolls John Rzeznik and Robby Takac
* Recorded 3-32—35 (42 GP) in his first season playing in North America to finish third in points per game (0.81) among rookie defensemen. He also finished tied for fifth on his team in scoring and tops among both defense and rookie categories.
* Won silver with Czechia at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also represented his country at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, 2024 Under-18 World Championship and 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
* Is the first player from Czechia selected among the top-10 since David Jiricek (No. 6 in 2022).
* Radim Mrtka said he did not take hockey seriously until he turned 14 and that he just enjoyed playing it with his friends but never went to any skills or skating camps.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Mrtka was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: The Mighty Ducks stars Joshua Jackson and Marguerite Moreau
* Roger McQueen missed 51 games this season yet produced at least a point in 71% of the contests he did play and finished the campaign with the highest point-per-game rate on his team (1.18).
* Won gold with Team Canada at the 2024 Under-18 World Championship and 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he posted the third-most goals and fourth-most points (tied) among his fellow countrymen (4-3—7 in 5 GP). He also played at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he topped his team in points (tied; 4-4—8 in 6 GP).
* His father, Scott, played defense in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels and Saskatoon Blades (6-9— 15 in 88 GP).
* This marks the seventh consecutive NHL Draft in which the Ducks held a top-10 pick.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and his son Alex.
* Ben Kindel finished 2024-25 with 35-64—99 (65 GP) to finish seventh in the WHL in scoring. His 64 assists are the sixth most in a single season in franchise history and the most by a Calgary Hitmen in 15 years.
* Set a franchise record for longest point streak by finding the score sheet in his 21st consecutive game on Jan. 8. The run ended at 23 contests on Jan. 12 (15-30—45) and as the second longest by a WHL player in 2024-25.
* Won gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, where he averaged over a point per game (1-6—7 in 6 GP) and at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (1-1—2 in 5 GP).
* This marks Pittsburgh’s highest selection since taking Derrick Pouliot eighth overall in 2012.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Kindel was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Two-time Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles Brandon Graham
* Produced at nearly a point-per-game pace this past season to finish with 25-39—64 in 65 GP, which was a 46-point improvement from his rookie campaign.
* Won gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship (2-3—5 in 6 GP) and skated with Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (1-1—2 in 8 GP).
* Nesbitt’s mother is from the Wiikwmemkoong reserve on Manitoulin Island.
* The Penguins traded the 12th overall pick to the Flyers in exchange for the 22nd and 31st overall selections in 2025. It marked the first trade between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia since June 25, 2010, also at the NHL Draft, when the Flyers sent the rights to Dan Hamhuis to the Penguins for a 2011 third-round pick.
* The last time the Flyers made two selections among the top 15 picks in the same NHL Draft was 1992 when they chose Ryan Sittler seventh overall and Jason Bowen at 15th overall.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: Actor Dave Coulier
* Concluded the 2024-25 season tied for seventh in goals and second in game winners (also tied) across the WHL after tallying 40-42—82 in 56 GP. Bear became just the sixth different player in Everett Silvertips history to score 40 in a single season.
* Collected 25-32—57 (67 GP) in 2023-24, to finish fifth in goals by a rookie across the WHL and seventh in points.
* Carter Bear grew up in Winnipeg, Man., but is a member of Peguis First Nation, the largest First Nation community in Manitoba – with a population of over 10,000 – and the community where his parents are from. In an article on NHL.com from 2024, Bear said, “I don’t hide away from my culture, in my whole family is Indigenous. I take pride in that I’m Indigenous.”
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report
Pick announced by: Meredith Gaudreau
* Finished 10th in scoring among defensemen across the WHL after posting 11-43—54 (68 GP) this season, while his assist total ranked tied for ninth in the same category.
* Won gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship and tied the tournament lead in goals by a defenseman (4). He also collected two assists in Canada’s gold medal entry at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and represented Canada Red at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (0-2—2 in 7 GP).
* His father, Wade, played parts of four seasons in the WHL, including 15 games with the Tri-City Americans.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Smith was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Former Canucks forward Mikael Samuelsson
* Topped his team in assists and points after recording 26-37—63 (60 GP). His season highlights included 18 multi-point games and two three-game goal streaks.
* Was named captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds at age 17 – the youngest captain currently in the WHL.
* Captained Canada to gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, where he finished fourth in tournament scoring and atop his country (6-6—12 in 7 GP). He also represented Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was one of 17 Canadian players to find the score sheet during the tournament en route to winning gold. He also played for Team Canada Red at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Cootes was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Actor Kevin Connolly
* Skating in Sweden’s second division with Djurgarden this season and, as an 18-year-old, currently tops the league in goals and points by a teenager. He sits second in points in that category 19-12—31 (42 GP).
* Was named the ‘Best Junior’ in Sweden’s second division after recording the most goals and points by a junior player.
* Recorded the most points in Sweden’s second division by a player age 18 or younger since 2016-17 (Elias Pettersson).
* His brother, William, was drafted in the first round by the San Jose Sharks in 2021 (7th overall) and has played in the NHL for the past three seasons. His father, Christian, played professional hockey in Europe for over two decades.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Eklund was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Kevin Connolly
* Tied the eighth-most points in a single season by a Barrie Colts defenseman in franchise history after posting 26-33—59 (64 GP). He owned the third-most goals among all blueliners across the OHL this season and the seventh-most points. Aitcheson also finished as his team’s overall scoring leader.
* Won gold with Canada at the 2024 Under-18 World Championship (1-2—3 in 7 GP).
* Kashawn Aitcheson grew up with many role models including OHL alumni P.K. Subban (Belleville Bulls), Wayne Simmonds (Owen Sound Attack / Soo Greyhounds), and Devante Smith-Pelly (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors).He said he’s touched by how significant it was to see a part of himself in those three players, as he strived to chart his path towards the OHL and hopefully someday, the NHL.
* The Islanders made three selections in the first round of the NHL Draft for the second time in franchise history, following four picks in 1999 (No. 5: Tim Connolly, No. 8: Taylor Pyatt, No. 10: Branislav Mezei & No. 28: Kristian Kudroc)
* The Islanders made consecutive picks in Round 1 for the third time, following 2018 (11th and 12th) and 1997 (4th and 5th).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Aitcheson was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Flames Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald
* Totaled 26-66—92 (62 GP) to complete the 2024-25 season with the sixth-most assists and tied for the ninth-most points across the WHL. Reschny set a Victoria Royals record for most assists in a single season and tied the second-most points in a single season in franchise history.
* Recorded a 14-game point streak this past season (7-25—32 in 14 GP), which was tied for the seventh-longest run across the WHL.
* Recorded 9-16—25 through two rounds of the 2025 playoffs and finished with the second-highest points-per-game average (2.27) across the WHL postseason.
* Won a gold medal at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, where he recorded the second-most goals for his country (5-3—8 in 5 GP), and at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he registered 3-4—7 in 5 GP, which led the team in points (tied) and was the fourth-highest total across the tournament.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Reschny was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Comedian Nikki Glaser
* Finished second across the QMJHL in scoring after posting 46-43—89 (62 GP). His point total is the fourth most by a player in a single season in Blainville-Boisbriand history.
* In 2023-24, he topped his team in goals (31) and finished second in points (59), which marked a 39-point improvement from his rookie campaign (5-15—20 in 32 GP).
* Justin Carbonneau played football growing up and spent as much time on the field as he did on the ice, following in the footsteps of his brothers who were both ex-football players. In high school, he stepped away from the field to focus on hockey.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Carbonneau was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Meredith Gaudreau
* Posted a 23-6-6 record while playing in Russia’s junior league. His win total finished tied for the fourth highest across the league, while his save percentage was the third best at .942 and his goals against average was the sixth lowest (1.75).
* Andreyanov was selected to play in the MHL All-Star game this past season and was named the league’s goaltender of the month twice.
* Pyotr Andreyanov is the second goaltender ever selected by the Blue Jackets in the first round, following Pascal Leclaire (No. 8 in 2001).
* Pyotr Andreyanov became the first European-born goaltender to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft since Jesper Wallstedt was drafted 20th overall by Minnesota in 2021.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: 49ers (NFL) Tight End George Kittle
* Finished 10th in scoring among OHL defensemen in the 2024-25 season after posting 14-40—54 (67 GP) and tied for third on his team in points. His totals marked a 31-point improvement from his rookie campaign.
* Won gold with Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (0-2—2 in 5 GP) and with Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (1-1—2 in 8 GP).
* His dad, Bill, and older brother, Ethan, both played hockey while his grandfather was once the equipment manager for the OHL’s Erie Otters.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Reid was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and his son Alex
* Finished fifth across the QMJHL in assists and tied for seventh in points after posting 28-55—83 (64 GP).
* Tallied 8-8—16 (13 GP) through the 2025 postseason, to finish tied for sixth in goals among all QMJHL players in the playoffs and tied for ninth in points per game (1.23).
* Saw P.K. Subban play for Montreal on the television at five years old and told his parents “I want to be like him.” His parents then went to the store and bought him skates so he could start playing.
* This marks the first time the Penguins have had multiple first round picks in the same year since 2012 when they selected Derrick Pouliot (8th overall) and Olli Maatta (22nd overall).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Zonnon was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Comedian Tom Green
* Amassed 2-10—12 (32 GP) as a freshman with Univ. of Wisconsin. He tied for the third-most points by a defenseman age 18 or younger across the NCAA.
* Named to the 2024-25 NCAA (B1G) All-Rookie team.
* Hensler finished second in scoring among defensemen on USA Hockey’s National Development Program’s Under-18 Team in 2023-24 (4-28—32 in 61 GP) behind Cole Hutson, who was drafted by the Capitals 43rd overall in 2024. He also did so the previous season when skating for the Under-17 team (5-23—28 in 60 GP), highlighted by a stretch of 15 games where he was held off the score sheet just twice.
* Won gold twice on the international stage, including at the 2025 World Junior Championship (0-1—1 in 7 GP) and the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (0-5—5 in 7 GP), where he finished third in tournament assists among defensemen.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and his son Alex
* Collected 4-6—10 in 18 GP despite being held out of the lineup due to injury for part of the season. Horcoff was one of three 17-year-olds to play in the NCAA this season and had the second-most goals among that cohort.
* Set a new record for the horizontal jump at the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine.
* His father, Shawn, was a fourth-round pick by the Oilers in the 1998 NHL Draft (99th overall) who skated in 1,008 games with the Oilers, Stars and Ducks from 2000-01 to 2015-16. He served as Oilers captain from 2010-11 to 2012-13.
* Pittsburgh has made three selections in the first round of the NHL Draft for the second time in franchise history, following 1984 when they selected Mario Lemieux (1st overall), Doug Bodger (9th overall) and Roger Belanger (16th overall).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: Longtime NHL Communications executive Gary Meagher, who is retiring at the conclusion of the NHL Draft.
* Collected 19-23—42 (61 GP) in his first full USHL season to finish fourth on his team in scoring. He strung together a four-game goal streak and recorded 12 multi-point outings. He also helped Muskegon win the 2025 USHL Clark Cup Champion (7-6—13 in 14 GP).
* Committed to play at the Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst for the 2026-27 season.
* His brother, Andrej, was a third-round pick by the Red Wings in the 2009 NHL Draft (75th overall) and skated in 128 career NHL games with the Red Wings and Hurricanes from 2014-15 to 2016-17. Andrej is still playing professionally and skated for Ocelari Trinec in Czechia in 2024-25.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: Country singer Jordan Davis
* As a rookie, Lee collected 31-37—68 in 58 GP to finish with the fourth-most points among all players across the USHL. His season was highlighted by a four-goal and five-point outing and saw him jump 12 spots up the Central Scouting rankings from 40th midseason.
* Lee’s 31 goals and 68 points were both the second most by a Madison Capitols player in a single season.
* Was part of USA’s championship team at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge and earned bronze at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
* This is the first time the Predators franchise has made three selections in the opening round of an NHL Draft in a single year.
* Ryker Lee’s dad was born in Taiwan and Ryker spent 5-6 years learning Chinese, a language spoken in Taiwan.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Lee was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
* Tallied 27-31—58 in 47 GP to finish with the fifth-highest point-per-game rate (1.23) among draft eligible WHL players. His season featured a 13-game point streak – tied for the 11th longest across the WHL – to help him finish atop his team in scoring by a 10-point margin.
* Collected 18-21—39 (68 GP) in 2023-24, a 32-point improvement from his rookie campaign (2-5—7 in 37 GP in 2022-23). He also tallied 5-3—8 (20 GP) in Moose Jaw’s run to the 2024 WHL Championship.
* His uncle, Sasha, appeared in 37 NHL games from 1996-97 to 1998-99 with the Flames and Devils and his other uncle, Greg, played professional hockey in the IHL, ECHL, CHL and AHL.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Lakovic was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Jets goaltender Eric Comrie
* Was one of three 17-year-olds to play in the NCAA this year and finished with the second-most points by a defenseman 18 or younger after posting 3-10—13 (40 GP).
* Earned a silver medal at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, where he was named best defenseman after tallying the most assists across the tournament (13) and the most points by a blueliner (14). Boumedienne also won a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and played for his country at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (1-3—4 in 7 GP).
* His father, Josef, was a fourth-round pick by the Devils in the 1996 NHL Draft (91st overall) who skated in 47 NHL games from 2001-02 to 2003-04 with the Devils, Lightning and Capitals. He is currently the assistant general manager for the Swedish national team.
* Sascha Boumedienne was a “runner” on the draft floor seven years ago at the 2018 NHL Draft thanks to his father Josef, who was the director of European Scouting for the Blue Jackets at the time. Sascha got to chat with Rasmus Dahlin, who is from Sweden like Boumedienne and was chosen No. 1 by the Sabres that year. He and had his jersey signed by Dahlin saying he was “star-struck” by the encounter.
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report.
Pick announced by: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
* Split the 2024-25 season between Edina High, where he tallied 27-22—49 (31 GP) to finish second on his team in scoring and atop his team in goals. He also spent 10 GP in the USHL playing with Fargo Force (1-8—9 in 10 GP).
* Saw a 23-point improvement between his midseason and final draft ranking, moving from the No. 50-ranked North American skater to 27th.
* West also plays football as a quarterback for his high school and is a Division I football prospect in Minneapolis – he’s following similar footsteps to Islanders captain, Anders Lee, who also attended the same school and was a three-sport athlete playing hockey, football and baseball.
* Chicago made three selections in the first round of the NHL Draft for the third time in the past four years, following 2024 and 2022 (3 in each).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. West was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: WWE superstar Bayley
* Finished the season with the second-most wins (tied) after posting 33-13-4. Ravensbergen was one of five goalies to appear in 50 GP in 2024-25 and his save percentage (0.901) was tied for 13th across the WHL.
* Finished his rookie season in 2023-24 with a 26-4-1 record – the seventh-most wins among all goaltenders. His 2.46 goals against average was the fourth lowest across the WHL that season.
* In 2023-24, he tied the WHL record for most shutouts by a rookie after posting six.
* With the selections of Pyotr Andreyanov (20th to CBJ) and Joshua Ravensbergen (30th to SJS) the 2025 NHL Draft is the first to feature multiple goaltenders selected in the first round since 2021 (No. 15: Sebastian Cossa & No: 20 Jesper Wallstedt) .
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Ravensbergen was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Actor Isaiah Mustafa
* Finished within the top 20 in scoring among OHL defensemen in 2024-25 – and second on his team in assists among blueliners – after posting 10-32—42 (67 GP). It marked a 36-point improvement from his rookie campaign.
* Won the 2025 Memorial Cup, including assisting on the game-opening goal in the championship game. He finished his club’s 2025 OHL Championship postseason with 1-4—5 (17 GP).
* His brother, Hunter, was a third-round pick by the Canucks in the 2023 NHL Draft (75th overall). He is currently a member of the Flames organization and appeared in one game with Calgary in 2024-25. The siblings played against each other during the 2023-24 OHL season when Hunter skated for the Kitchener Rangers.
* The last time the NHL Draft was held in Los Angeles in 2010 the Kings made five selections, most notably future Stanley Cup champion Tyler Toffoli (Round 2; 47th overall).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Brzustewicz was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
Pick announced by: Flames Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald
* Was one of three 17-year-olds to play in the NCAA this season and topped that cohort after collecting 13-9—22 in 35 GP with Arizona State Univ. He was named to his division’s all-rookie team.
* Potter is the first ever player selected to the NHL Draft out of Arizona State University.
* Earned silver with USA at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he posted 1-7—8 (7 GP) and co-led the tournament in assists. Potter also won bronze at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, where he finished tied with the third-highest point total on his team (4-4—8 in 7 GP).
* His mother, Jenny, helped lead USA to the first gold medal ever awarded for Olympic women’s hockey at the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan, and holds the US Olympic women’s hockey records for most points in a career (32) and a single Olympics (11). She’s been to four Olympic Winter Games (gold in 1998) and 10 World Championships (gold in 2005, 2008, 2009 & 2011).
* Click here for a full profile and scouting report. Potter was also featured as part of @NHLPR’s “Get to Know” series.
***
Post-Draft Notes:
* The 2025 NHL Draft was the first to feature four teams each with three selections in the first round after Chicago, NY Islanders, Nashville and Pittsburgh made three picks apiece.
Round 1 Picks By Position:
14 – Centers
8 – Defensemen
6 – Right Wings
2 – Left Wings
2 – Goaltenders
Round 1 Picks By League:
OHL: 9
WHL: 9
NCAA: 5 (Big10: 2, H-East: 2, NCHC: 1)
QMJHL: 3
SWEDEN-2: 2
USHL: 2
HIGH-MN: 1
RUSSIA-JR: 1
Round 1 Picks By Birth Country:
20 – Canada
6 – United States
2 – Czechia
2 – Sweden
1 – Russia
1 – Finland
^ William Horcoff was born in Canada but is a U.S. national. Sacha Boumedienne was born in Finland but is a Swedish national. They are counted above by birth country.
