Mason West – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #2

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:43:27 +0000

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 02: Oliver Moore #11 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck during overtime against the Colorado Avalanche on April 2, 2025 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 2nd (May 2025 - 4th)
GM: Kyle Davidson Hired: October 2021
COACH: Jeff Blashill Hired: May 2025

Connor Bedard’s brilliance is undeniable, but even a player of his caliber can’t single-handedly lift a team. The 2024-25 season made that clear, as the Chicago Blackhawks finished 31st in the NHL and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year; and the seventh in eight seasons. Still, beneath the losses lies a promising foundation.

Frank Nazar may be the biggest reason for optimism. After tearing up the AHL with 24 points in 21 games, he jumped into Chicago’s lineup for 53 games and proved he belonged. He looks poised to stay full-time in 2025-26. On the back end, Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov both made strong early impressions. Levshunov split time between the AHL and NHL in his draft-plus-one season, while Rinzel arrived from the University of Minnesota and chipped in five assists across nine NHL games. Having two young, right-shot defensemen maturing simultaneously is a rare luxury for Davidson’s rebuild.

In Rockford, a wave of near-ready talent continues to push forward. Ethan Del Mastro and Colton Dach are trending upward, while Drew Commesso is on the verge of battling for NHL crease time. Further down, high-octane scorers Nick Lardis (117 points, fourth in OHL scoring) and Marek Vanacker (42 points in 45 games despite injury) are both primed to join the AHL ranks and extend the pipeline’s offensive depth.

The 2025 draft brought even more firepower, with three first-rounders added to the system. Headlining the class is Anton Frondell at third overall, followed by late-first selections Vaclav Nestrasil and Mason West—both ranking among the organization’s top 15 prospects.

With Bedard, Nazar, and Levshunov forming the nucleus, and waves of support talent developing behind them, Chicago’s rebuild is tracking toward its next phase. The results have been painful, but the Blackhawks’ prospect depth and draft capital suggest brighter days are not far off.

Chicago Blackhawks Top-15 Prospects

1 - Artyom Levshunov

It’s hard to envision a scenario where Artyom Levshunov doesn’t become an all-situations number one defenceman at the NHL level. From a pure talent perspective, all the qualities are there; he can distribute the puck and make plays, he’s a very mobile player at all ends of the ice, he can utilize his strength to play a strong physical game, and he is a capable defender (although this is very much still a work in progress at the pro level). It’s hard to expect a young defensive prospect to be able to play heavy minutes in the AHL as a teenager, but there were many nights last season when Levshunov looked like he was miles ahead of the rest of the players on the ice. Levshunov does have to continue to work on his physical game, and the offensive numbers will improve with more reps at the pro level, but he is a can’t-miss prospect who should make the full-time jump to the Chicago Blackhawks next season.

2 - Sam Rinzel

Sam Rinzel showed consistent growth and improvements in all areas of his game compared to his freshman season. Aggression and great stick-checking ability have continued to be excellent, demonstrating an active presence in all three zones. His skating and puck-handling at high speeds are strengths, enabling him to break up plays and contribute offensively by pinching at the blue line and joining the rush, all while having the elite creativity and puck skills. His defensive positioning has been a concern in moments, as he occasionally vacates the net front and relies on his stick over physicality, leading to mixed success in board battles. Under pressure, he has improved a lot with his puck movement and decision making. Same can be said for his reads off pinches while joining and creating offence. While his offensive instincts were already evident, he has proven this season how effective he can be on defence as well. With further development in physical engagement, he projects as a mobile, two-way defenceman with offensive upside, capable of playing in all special teams situations in a top four role. His strong finish to the year at the NHL level suggests he’s already ready for a full-time role.

3 - Anton Frondell

Kyle Davidson & the Blackhawks got their guy at third overall this past draft. While that may have been a surprise to some, it’s easy to see why Frondell was so highly regarded. Firstly, it isn’t easy to find guys who play with the heaviness AND the soft scoring touch that Frondell possesses. He’s got quick hands in tight and a tactical mind for playmaking. He reads the game at a very high level. He’s the type of player who can play with anybody and make their life easier. By all accounts, he’s a terrific teammate and leader in the dressing room - perfect for a rebuilding team like the Hawks. The only big question mark is how high his ceiling truly is. He lacks the high-end skill-speed combo that your typical NHL 1C possesses. It also limits his effectiveness in transition. Now, he could put those concerns to bed this coming year in the SHL after a full offseason of training uninhibited by injury. If not, Frondell could still probably play center in the middle six. However, he might be an even better complimentary top six goal-scoring winger. Think on the wing of Connor Bedard.

4 - Sacha Boisvert

Boisvert showed notable offensive growth throughout the season, progressing as a skilled playmaker with good skating and great puck-handling abilities. His vision and passing creates space and scoring opportunities for teammates, particularly in offensive zone setups and off the rush. Early in the season highlighted his reliable 200-foot game, good back pressure, and defensive support, suggesting top six potential. However, as the season progressed, concerns emerged regarding his compete level and defensive consistency. We hope to see much higher levels of compete and consistency at Boston University this upcoming season, after transferring from North Dakota. Strengths include his offensive awareness, puck protection, and distribution, making him a threat in the offensive zone. Weaknesses center around his inconsistent engagement in puck battles and defensive play. Boisvert currently projects as a middle six offensive forward with the potential to contribute on a second power play unit. His future development will hinge on addressing compete level and two-way reliability. Expect him to spend at least another year at the college level.

5 - Oliver Moore

Oliver Moore is a dynamic, high-speed forward with excellent skating ability, making him a dangerous offensive threat in transition. His acceleration and edgework allow him to create separation, drive play, and pressure defenders effectively. Throughout the season, Moore demonstrated strong two-way play, using his speed to track back defensively and contribute to the forecheck. His offensive instincts and playmaking have steadily improved, showcasing a growing ability to distribute the puck and finish scoring opportunities. Despite his elite skating, Moore can refine his puck handling in tight spaces and continue developing his ability to play through physical pressure. While not the most imposing forward, his compete level and tenacity make up for any size disadvantage. Projecting forward, Moore has the tools to develop into a top six NHL forward with a focus on speed-driven offence and strong defensive responsibility. Continued work on his finishing and puck protection will be key to maximizing his pro potential.

6 - Nick Lardis

What a momentous year for Lardis. 71 goals. First player to hit that plateau since John Tavares nearly two decades ago. Mostly healthy this past year (save for a knee injury in the playoffs), the transformation in Lardis’ game was huge. He went from a high-end complementary piece to a player who could take over games with the puck on his stick. He wasn’t just a threat on the power play. He scored at will at even strength too. He consistently created his own scoring chances by using his speed to attack the middle of the ice, showcasing greater strength on the puck to fight through contact to get shots off. Of course, you don’t score 70 plus without a few weapons in your shooting arsenal either. Lardis owns both a wickedly quick and deceptive wrister and a heavy one timer that he unleashes from both the slot and the flank. Moving to the pro level next year, the focus for Lardis will be on conditioning to ensure that he can withstand the rigors of the pro game and remain healthy. After a year or two in the AHL, he should be a great scoring option for the Hawks, perhaps even alongside Connor Bedard.

7 - Drew Commesso

Commesso is a solid goalie who specializes in skating. He’s quick and precise on his feet. Back it up with solid positioning, and you have someone who can always be in the right place at the right time. Outside of those aspects, he doesn’t excel elsewhere. He isn't overly athletic and can sometimes lose his structure in various areas, often looking to struggle in a butterfly. This area of weakness has led to being scored on five hole a few too many times when faced with chaotic situations. He also has been shown to get beat pretty easily on clean rush shots where his hands weren’t active enough. His skating is easily good enough to take him to the NHL, whether he finds much success won’t be as easily determined. Without being super athletic, he will have to perfect his structure and work on bettering his hands to be impactful at the next level.

8 - Roman Kantserov

Despite missing the start of the season due to injury, Roman Kantserov had an impressive second KHL season. After a bottom six checking role last year, he was given much more offensive freedom this season, scoring 38 points in 47 games. Known for his quick hands and shifty play during his draft year, he started to showcase that skill again while maintaining the hard-working style he developed in his checking role. His high pace of play often catches opponents off guard, and his ability to shield the puck helps him create numerous scoring chances. However, he still struggles with overhandling the puck, leading to turnovers, and sometimes forces flashy plays that put him in bad spots. Kantserov will take another KHL season before joining Chicago’s system but projects as a high-energy, third-line grinder with the potential to contribute offensively. There are areas that need refinement, but his development has been very promising.

9 - Marek Vanacker

It was a bit of a strange year for Vanacker, as his production dipped significantly on a strong Brantford team. The explanation for that is twofold. Firstly, he got a late start to the year following offseason shoulder surgery last season and never really seemed to find his stride. Secondly, with the explosion of Lardis and Patrick Thomas duo, Vanacker found himself off the top power play unit. Should Hawks fans worry? We would say no. Next year, he’ll be fully healthy, and he and Jake O’Brien can continue to build off their chemistry as the top duo on what should be another strong Brantford team. He still has the work rate and the scoring chops to be a quality middle six NHL player in the future. Next year will be more telling as to the likelihood of that upside occurring.

10 - Ethan Del Mastro

Ethan Del Mastro is a strong, physical defender with sound positioning, good mobility for his size, and fierce competitiveness. For these reasons, it’s not hard to envision a scenario where Del Mastro enjoys a long career as an NHL defender. Del Mastro played very well in heavy minutes last season for the Rockford IceHogs, despite putting up lower offensive numbers than he did in his rookie season. This was due in part to the addition of Artyom Levshunov, as he got many of the reps Del Mastro had been receiving the prior season, but Del Mastro also spent time with the Blackhawks, which can make it difficult for a prospect to gain offensive traction. Nevertheless, Del Mastro will make his millions in the NHL as a player that plays defence first, so it’s not too alarming that his offensive numbers dipped as a sophomore pro. Del Mastro looks ready for consistent minutes at the NHL level and should be on the Blackhawks this season.

11 - Colton Dach

Dach is the prototypical power forward in the NHL. He blends speed, physicality, and a good shot, which makes slowing him down nearly impossible. Dach earned the call up to the NHL at the turn of the year last season and looks to build on that again this year. His unique blend of size and skill makes him a versatile forward who can just as easily fill the net as he can run people over.

12 - Vaclav Nestrasil

Nestrasil has top six finesse and some bottom six grit. He’s a big guy who is a smooth skater, has a snappy shot, and isn’t afraid to lay the body. He has the offensive and defensive skills to play on both special teams' units. Nestrasil isn’t the best playmaker, though. He doesn’t drive the offence himself yet can complement just about any center he plays with. He’ll be a big-minute player for UMass next season, playing in all situations for the Minutemen.

13 - Mason West

There aren’t many players at 6-foot-6 who have as much finesse as Mason West has. West is a great skater whose playmaking shines above the rest. Still a raw prospect, West will get plenty of opportunity to hone his physical game as well as his skills against tougher competition in the USHL. Once his football season comes to an end, West will look to continue his development as an integral piece of the Fargo Force.

14 - Ryan Greene

For every flashy, high skill forward, teams want a shutdown guy too. That’s what the Chicago Blackhawks hope they have in Ryan Greene. While posting near point-per-game numbers with Boston University, Greene has developed as a playmaker and strong defensive center. Depending on how NHL-ready Greene looks in training camp, he could start the year in the NHL as another young Chicago forward or be the first-line center in Rockford.

15 - Aidan Thompson

Not many players make a 20-point jump in production between their sophomore and junior seasons at the NCAA level. Thompson did just that after netting 55 points in 44 games with Denver. Thompson’s sizable jump got him to the AHL level, but another significant improvement all around will be required for him to get NHL minutes. He’ll be a responsible winger on both ends of the ice for Rockford, where he’ll likely bounce around the top six.

2025 NHL DRAFT: Scouting Reports for First Round Picks – Cole Reschny, Pyotr Andreyanov, Will Horcoff, Vaclav Nestrasil, Ryker Lee, Mason West

Brock Otten, Jamison Derksen, Liam Crouse, Derek Neumeier, Kaeden Ireland — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:09:22 +0000

Each draft season, we try to bring you as many in-depth scouting reports as possible leading up to the draft. However, there were six players that were selected in the first round that we did not finish reports on. As such, we asked our team to submit more condensed reports on those six players so that every player drafted in this year’s first round has something filed.

Cole Reschny - Center - Victoria Royals

Drafted 18th by the Calgary Flames

By Derek Neumeier

Few prospects throughout the CHL — if any — had a stronger back half of their year than Reschny did in 2024-25. He was an all-around monster for the Victoria Royals, playing as their number one center and offensive linchpin, quarterbacking their powerplay, and handling a lot of tough matchups against the top players on other teams, including a head-to-head playoff showdown against Spokane Chiefs superstar Berkly Catton. It's hard to overstate just how much good work he did for that team, helping them to their best regular season record since 2015-16 and their first playoff series victory since 2018-19.

Reschny is one of the best puck managers to come up through the WHL in a while. First, he's deceptively strong for a slightly undersized forward, with an abundance of strength in his lower body and when bearing down on his stick. He then pairs those traits with buttery soft hands and superb peripheral awareness. Put those traits together it becomes incredibly difficult for opponents to win pucks away from him when he's really engaged, which is almost all of the time as someone who competes hard. If all that wasn't enough, he's also a top-tier playmaker who can easily find and connect difficult passes. He's a real expert at making the players around him look good, driving possession for his line and drawing defensive pressure until someone else gets open for a pass in a dangerous spot.

While Reschny has different parts of his game that are very appealing, there are still some imbalances as well. His shot usually isn't much of a threat, with a notable lack of power, though he at least possesses good precision and quick hands in tight. In other words, he can score, but not well from the medium distance or worse. His skating also leaves something to be desired, with a clear need for him to improve both his agility and straight-line speed before he turns pro.

When you step back and try to analyze Reschny’s overall long-term projection, the outlook is pretty optimistic. He already carries himself like a seasoned professional with the way that he approaches and thinks about the game, and there’s already a solid skill base that isn’t going to wane. Frankly, it would be shocking if he didn’t go on to become a longtime NHLer, as well as someone that goes on to be a core roster piece and maybe even wears a letter on his sweater. At the same time, though, it’s also hard to see him reaching as high of a ceiling as the other top prospects in this year’s draft class, as players with his matching limitations of size and skating don’t reach the highest echelons of the sport more often than not (with a few notable exceptions, of course, like Nick Suzuki and Kirill Kaprizov). Still, Reschny is a pretty special player already, and if he can find a way to add another gear to his skating as he develops, he could reach a whole new level entirely.

Skating

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SKATING-Reschny-skating.mp4

This short clip gives you a good idea of what Reschny’s skating is like, both the good and the bad. The balance and edges are pretty solid, and there’s nothing mechanically wrong with his skating. However, you can also see that he’s not especially quick with his movements. He creates space for himself like this all the time at the WHL level, but he’ll need to be able to execute these kinds of things a lot faster if he hopes to find similar success in the NHL one day.

Grade: 50

Shot

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SHOT-Reschny-hands-in-tight.mp4

As mentioned above, Reschny’s goal-scoring contributions are mostly limited to when he gets in tight, but boy does he know how to finish when he does get there. This overtime, game-winning goal against Czechia at this spring’s U18 tournament was outright surgical.

Grade: 50

Puck Skills

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SKILLS-Reschny-tip-pass.mp4

Reschny can really feast when he’s on the powerplay. He’s just so naturally talented at receiving pucks, getting them under his control, and distributing passes however he sees fit. This is an elite pass to his teammate for an easy backdoor goal.

Grade: 55

Smarts

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SMARTS-Reschny-smarts-poise.mp4

This clip highlights Reschny at his absolute best. Impeccable poise, awareness and timing by him to help open up this dangerous passing lane and connect with the target that he knew was going to be there. The opposing goalie never stood a chance.

Grade: 60

Physicality / Compete

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PHYSICAL-Reschny-battle.mp4

Even though Reschny is on the smaller side he doesn’t shy away from battles or going into the dirty areas of the ice. There’s some real stockiness to him, and he knows how to get leverage and win body positioning against bigger opponents.

Grade: 50

OFP: 53.75

Pyotr Andreyanov - Goaltender - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva

Drafted 20th by the Columbus Blue Jackets

By Liam Crouse

Pyotr Andreyanov was one of the biggest surprises from draft night, having been the first goalie taken off the board but also the 20th overall pick. But even though he may not have been our top goalie eligible for the draft, his potential to be a starter in the NHL is evident. He’s a highly athletic goalie, a phenomenal skater, and has also shown to be a solid play reader. But he still has drawbacks in his diminutive stature and erraticism. While he competes hard, his erraticism makes his job tougher, something he will have to clean up to succeed in the NHL

Athleticism

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PA64-Athleticism.mp4

Andreyanov’s identity is speed and athleticism, and it’s vehemently shown in this clip. He’s playing a very low stance, which reduces mobility, but with his natural flexibility, he can still generate power. He exploded out of his low stance, stretching out with both leg and glove, robbing the shooter.

Grade: 60

Technique

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PA64-Technique.mp4

While Andreyanov is aggressive and erratic, his technical foundation is great. Here, he starts by challenging the puck carrier way out of his crease. He then makes very subtle movements to re-adjust back to the top. Making a really strong push, he uses an economical route to cut through the crease. He gets his blocker down to stuff the shot as it’s in tight and makes a great save.

Grade: 55

Play Reading

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PA64-Play-Read.mp4

While it may not always be present, Andreyanov has shown good flashes of reading the play. Here, due to it being a penalty kill and there are passing options, Andreyanov stays a little deeper. When the puck goes to his short-side post, he doesn’t fully commit. He deepens and wings his lead leg back in anticipation of the slot pass, and with quick tracking, he’s able to laterally release into a butterfly for a nice save.

Grade: 52.5

Compete/Temperament

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PA64-Compete_temp.mp4

Andreyanov’s erraticism can turn badly quickly, and it does here. He starts playing low and trying to look through traffic, and starts to panic, moving around too much. The extra slide he did put him in a bad spot where he couldn’t react to the loose puck, and he started to freak out by pushing too far. Being the hyper-competitor he is, he got back to his crease quickly and made a save, but the whole play was ugly

Grade: 52.5

Rebound Control

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PA64-Rebound-Control.mp4

Rebounds are a weakness of Andreyanov, and you can see here how he just allows the puck to bounce off his chest without reacting with his glove to suppress it at all.

Grade: 47.5

Puck Skills

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PA64-Puck-Skills.mp4

Andreyanov is an average puck player, mostly only being active on power plays like here, but even though he isn’t aggressive in moving the puck, he can still make a tape-to-tape pass when needed.

Grade: 50

OFP: 53.375

Will Horcoff - Center - University of Michigan

Drafted 24th by the Pittsburgh Penguins

By Brock Otten

The son of former Edmonton Oiler two-way standout Shawn Horcoff, Will is an intriguing, but raw centerman cut from a similar cloth. He made the gutsy decision to leave the U.S. NTDP half way through the year to join the Michigan Wolverines early and that decision paid off in a big way, as it allowed Horcoff to shine on a greater stage. He also returned to the U.S.’ U18 team at the end of the year at the IIHF U18’s, playing a key role en route to a bronze medal. It was this late season surge, in combination with his immense physical upside, that made Horcoff an attractive first round selection and late season riser on many lists.

At the University of Michigan, Horcoff impressed with his work on the powerplay, demonstrating strong offensive zone awareness and a willingness to get to the net and work the half wall to extend possession. At the U18’s, Horcoff impressed with his ability to create coming out of the cycle, showing great vision and passing ability coming off the wall. Despite still being slight, he protected the puck well, shielding defenders to extend possession and exhibited poise with the puck, again, showcasing a high IQ as an offensive player. However, at the NCAA level, Horcoff hasn’t been able to be as consistent winning those 50/50 battles and his even strength production and scoring chance generation lagged because of this. Horcoff also needs to upgrade his quickness. With his long legs, he can build to an adequate top speed that does allow him to carry in transition and get to the net. However, his edgework and explosiveness need to improve in a big way to make him a more difficult cover. As his conditioning improves and his frame fills out, he should be able to improve at least his power generation.

As Horcoff develops, both physically and from a skill perspective, he projects to be a very versatile player. He has shown the ability to play both center and the wing. He can play a variety of roles on the powerplay, including netfront. His reach, two-way awareness, and improving competitiveness should also make him a very good defensive player, much like his father. Of course, upgrading his quickness will be the key, but that should happen after a few years in college.

From a projection standpoint, Horcoff could develop into a quality middle six player who can be utilized in any situation. Identifying his true upside currently is a difficult task considering how underdeveloped he is physically. When that frame is filled out and he’s playing at 6’5, 225+, he could be an entirely different player and that’s what the Pittsburgh Penguins are banking on.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 52.5

Skills: 55

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53.625

VIDEOS

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-1-william_horcoff_-_2nd_period_7_50_-_8_2.mp4

Horcoff’s first point as a Wolverine after leaving the NTDP. He showcases his strong vision from the wall as he sets up a goal from behind the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-2-william_horcoff_-_2nd_period_12_3_-_12_15.mp4

Strong defensive effort and awareness from Horcoff here. He hustles to support the backcheck and reads the drop along the wall. He then makes a quick transition up ice.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-3-william_horcoff_-_1st_period_0_46_-_0_58.mp4

Horcoff is skilled enough to be a strong transitional player once his skating picks up. Again, we love how he attacks the middle of the ice consistently.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-4-william_horcoff_-_3rd_period_8_37_-_8_49.mp4

Quick play coming off the wall as Horcoff, again, gets himself into the middle of the ice. His shot shows a lot of promise, but his release needs work as he has a tendency to heel or misfire shots, especially under duress.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-5-william_horcoff_-_1st_period_13_18_-_13_30.mp4

A good look at Horcoff’s inability to build speed. He tries to accelerate out of a pivot, but his footwork isn’t clean and he gets bottled up in the neutral zone. Credit to Horcoff for staying with the play to get it out of the neutral zone.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-6-william_horcoff_-_1st_period_37_38_-_37_50.mp4

Horcoff’s game offensively is predicated on those quick touches. Great two-man game here as he works to the inside and draws a penalty. Although, again, you see the lack of quickness as he can’t create separation to earn a clean look.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-7-william_horcoff_-_1st_period_30_36_-_30_48.mp4

Another impressive passing play by Horcoff, again showcasing his vision and ability to make decisions quickly.

Vaclav Nestrasil - Wing - Muskegon

Drafted 25th by the Chicago Blackhawks

By Kaeden Ireland

Vaclav Nestrasil played his first full season in North America this year with Muskegon and made vast strides in development. His improvements and adjustments to the USHL were very visible, and to cap it off, Vaclav also finished 8th in league playoff scoring with 13 points in 14 games.

Nestrasil projects to be a defensively responsible middle-six winger who competes hard every shift. He has some offensive potential with his hands, shot in tight, and creativity with the puck.

Skating

Nestrasil’s skating is unorthodox, but he makes it work with his effort level and pace once he gets up to speed. One key area Nestrasil must improve is his acceleration.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SKATING-NestrasilSkating.mp4

Nestrasil could use some work cleaning up his acceleration, as seen in this clip.

Skating: 52.5

Shooting

Vaclav’s wrist shot lacks consistency; he won’t be a primary shooting threat from the wing, but on rebounds and loose pucks, he does a good job of getting low and elevating shots into the upper third of the net to beat goalies. Nestrastil’s snapshot is a nice alternative to his wrist shot, as he can catch goalies off guard with rather unpredictable, snappy shots down low.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SHOT-NestrasilShot_Skill.mp4

A nice clean finish with time by Nestrasil.

Shooting: 55

Smarts

Nestrasil isn’t afraid to try more elaborate passes, often looking to pass through the bodies of defenders to his teammates for shooting opportunities. His passes can come off as a bit panicky, but his decision making did slightly improve over the past season. I would like to see Nestrasil learn to find safe outlets more consistently as he’s struggled with turnovers.

Smarts: 50

Skills

Nestrasil can pull off some very impressive moves, but like his passing abilities, he turns the puck over far too frequently. For a 6’6 forward, protecting the puck when attacking a defender head-on will be more difficult due to the longer stick, so he will need to learn to use his body to protect the puck better.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SKILLS-NestrasilSkills.mp4

Nestrasil showcases his creativity with this fun deke to get away with the puck down low.

Skills: 55

Compete/Physicality

Vaclav is still a physical project. He stands at 6’6 but weighs under 190 pounds at the moment, leaving plenty of room to add to his frame. Nestrasil makes his physical presence known by putting his body on opponents, whether it be small bumps away from play or big hits that put defensemen on the ice; Nestrasil puts every inch of his 6’6 frame to use. No doubt, his growing physical dominance is one reason why he went as high as 25th overall. It’s encouraging to see how in post-draft interviews Nestrasil emphasized how coachable he was when improving his physical game, leaning on Muskegon staff to noticeably get rougher and more chippy down the stretch.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PHYSICAL-1-NestrasilPhys.mp4

Massive hit here to catch the Waterloo defenseman on a recovery.

Nestrasil competes for pucks constantly, using his long reach to close gaps and put the heat on puck carriers, forcing them to pass off or face a barrage of stick checks. Nestrasil’s compete makes him a likely bet to crack Chicago’s top penalty-kill unit in the future. His forechecking and backchecking also stand out as noteworthy traits that suit him to an NHL middle-six role.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PHYSICAL-2-NestrasilCompeteandSmarts.mp4

While Vaclav does give up the middle of the ice here on the PK, he recovers by charging over and getting the block before making a great pass to his trailing teammate.

Compete/Physicality: 55

OFP: 53.375

Ryker Lee - Wing - Madison Capitals

Drafted 26th by the Nashville Predators

By Jamison Derksen

Ryker Lee was one of the top offensive players in the USHL this season, finishing fourth in the league scoring race with 68 points. His Madison Capitols improved from being a fringe playoff team in 2023/24 to being in contention for first place in the East, thanks in large part to the infusion of offense brought by Lee. The Nashville Predators liked what they saw from him this season, and made him the 26th Overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Lee is a high risk / high reward pick, as his skating and defensive game need a lot of work, but he is among the most skilled players in the draft. It is worth noting that Lee hit a huge growth spurt recently, as he was listed at 5’4 heading into the 2022/23 season, so there is plenty of room for development in the physical game, as well as his skating. Right now as a pro he projects to be a middle-six winger that contributes on a top powerplay unit.

Skating:

Lee’s skating is certainly his biggest knock right now. When he’s not in a full-out sprint, he straightens up his stance quite a bit and can go shifts without displaying anything resembling pace at all. His acceleration is also a struggle, but once he gets going, his speed is average in the USHL. Obviously, that will need to improve in order for him to have an NHL career.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lee-Skating-upd.mp4

Grade: 50

Shot:

Ryker Lee is dangerous as a shooter, particularly with his wrist shot in the USHL. He scores a lot off of wrist shots around the top of the right circle, but when he’s not the puck carrier, he often finds ice in the slot. His slapshot is only for one timers, and is seldom used, despite its effectiveness. One improvement Lee will need to make to his wrist shot is that he needs to shorten his reach back when loading, it makes him too easy to read at times and takes too much time to get a shot off.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SHOT-Lee-Shot.mp4

Grade: 55

Skills:

Lee is among the most talented players in the 2025 draft class. His puck control and creativity are fantastic, and he is able to handle tough passes with no problem at all. Lee loves to challenge defenders one-on-one as a puck carrier, and often makes them look silly. However, he does have a tendency to overhandle the puck, so he can definitely stickhandle himself into positions where he is on the outside and isn’t really a threat. This is a junior habit that will need to be broken.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lee-Skill-2-updated.mp4

Grade: 57.5

Smarts:

Lee’s hockey IQ is a bit of a mixed bag. One of the things he’s best at is drawing opponents to himself to create space for teammates. He also has the aforementioned issue of overhandling the puck, though he has shown the ability to adapt on the fly and make a new play when he stickhandles himself into trouble. Positionally, he finds space excellently in the offensive zone, whereas in his own zone he can be pretty spotty.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lee-IQ-2.mp4

Grade: 52.5

Physical/Compete:

Right now, Lee doesn’t shy away from physical play, but he does need to get stronger. He will throw the occasional check, but often gets outmuscled and pushed around in puck battles. His soft hands with the puck can also result in some dangerous turnovers when they don’t end up on the highlight reel. He will also need to work on being engaged defensively with more consistency, especially given that he likes to take liberties with the puck.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PHYSICAL-Lee-Physical.mp4

Grade: 50

OFP: 53

Mason West - Wing - Fargo Force/Edina High

Drafted 29th by the Chicago Blackhawks

By Brock Otten

West was one of the draft’s most heavily discussed players this year for a variety of reasons. Firstly, his in-season improvement and end of the season play in the USHL helped to propel him up draft boards based on his raw tools and physical upside. On our draft board, West went from an honorable mention outside of our top 100 (at midseason) to 49th on our final rankings. Secondly, the discourse surrounding his future as a football player and desire to play football again next year has brought about concerns. Leading up to the draft, West committed to Michigan State for hockey and this helped to alleviate some concerns that he would pick football. However, he still intends to return to Edina High to start at quarterback for his senior year. The concerns here are three-fold. For one, West could get hurt. For two, West will be repeating the high school hockey level for much of the year, likely splitting between Edina High and Fargo again. For three, if West performs at a high level in football, will a highly regarded school come calling with a scholarship and NIL money, forcing West to re-evaluate his sporting future?

Regardless of the above, it was plainly obvious that a team would opt to select West in the first round given his tantalizing upside and the Blackhawks did just that. West compares himself to Anders Lee of the New York Islanders and that’s fitting considering Lee once had to make a similar choice surrounding football and potential scholarship offers.

West’ high end athleticism is visible on the ice. He’s a big kid who moves very impressively. Builds to a solid top speed moving North/South, but has refined balance and edgework that allows him to put defenders on his back to protect the puck in motion. For that reason, he’s a tough check for high school defenders right now; near impossible for them to separate him from the puck. He also was successful in beating USHL defenders the same way later in the season. West shows strong vision with the puck and a clear understanding of how to use his size to be a factor away from the puck. He could probably stand to get to the net and play through the middle a bit more often, however, he forechecks and backchecks with ferocity. We wouldn’t call him an overly physical player (perhaps shocking given his football background), but maybe that’s something he grows into. His shot shows promise if he can work on his release; it’s heavy, but he can have a tendency to whiff under pressure. From a skill perspective, again, there’s upside. He handles impressively well at full speed for a big man, although he can keep the puck too far out, leaving him susceptible to stick checks. He needs to operate more in his hip pocket, using his size to his advantage in transition.

So, what is West’s upside? The Anders Lee comparison is apt. In a best-case scenario, West develops into a similar kind of impactful, well-rounded player. Yes, there are concerns; the ones we outlined above. However, repeating the USHL (or even finding a WHL program to close out the season with) will not be a bad thing for West who is still quite raw. We saw the difficulty that a similar kind of player in Dean Letourneau had jumping to the NCAA this year out of prep. In the long run, Michigan State is a great landing spot for West and in three-four years, he could end up looking like a real steal for the Blackhawks.

Grades:

Skating: 55

Shot: 50

Skills: 55

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 52.5

OFP: 53.625

VIDEOS

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-1-mason_west_-_2nd_period_5_18_-_5_31.mp4

At the high school level we see West’s quick strike ability as he jumps on a loose puck and generates a high end scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-2-mason_west_-_2nd_period_6_37_-_6_50.mp4

Again, at the high school level, West’s frame and reach are at work as he plays through a defender to make a pass to the slot that results in a goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-3-mason_west.mp4

The rest of the clips are all from his time in the USHL with Fargo. Both clips here showcase West’s speed and athleticism and how it can impact the game off the puck. He disrupts a clean zone entry and he closes ground quickly on the forecheck.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-4-mason_west_-_3rd_period_0_41_-_0_53.mp4

How about an NBA style box out to help initiate the breakout?

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-5-mason_west_-_1st_period_0_18_-_0_30.mp4

A terrific play on the forecheck as West gets inside leverage, secures possession, which in turn leads to a scoring chance from the slot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VIDEO-6-mason_west_-_2nd_period_26_58_-_27_11.mp4

A look at West’s ability to create off the rush, but the pass is just a bit behind his teammate, and they can’t connect. The precision on his passes will be an area of focus for him.

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

Brock Otten — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:33:54 +0000

1. New York Islanders - Matthew Schaefer - Defense

Even though this year doesn’t have the allure of the first pick next year (Gavin McKenna), the Islanders still hit the gold mine by winning the lottery with such low chances. There’s been some chatter about a Hagens selection given his local connection, but you can’t pick first overall based on that. The Islanders just locked up Ilya Sorokin long term as one of the better netminders in the NHL, so it truly makes sense to jump at the chance to draft Schaefer, a potential franchise defender who can play in all situations and eventually serve as the team’s captain.

2. San Jose Sharks - Michael Misa - Center

We’ve read some chatter that draft pundits believe Mike Grier could favour selecting someone like Martone or Frondell with this pick, given his desire to add size/tenacity to the lineup moving forward. We’d argue that Misa is just as competitive, but more skilled. This is an extremely well-rounded player who gives the Sharks a ton of flexibility moving forward. He can slot at the wing or move another of their top young forwards to the wing. He also gives them a little more dynamic, play driving ability than they currently have in the system.

3. Chicago Blackhawks - Caleb Desnoyers - Center

If there has been one modus operandi of the Hawks management in recent years, it’s that they’ve heavily focused on bringing in elite skaters. When we look at the players in this range, Desnoyers is the best skater of the remaining forwards. The Hawks could see Desnoyers filling a Jonathan Toews type role for them in the future, giving them a well-rounded two-way guy and helping to shore up their center depth moving forward.

4. Utah Mammoth - Anton Frondell - Center

Similar to the Hawks, Utah has also had an modus operandi related to size and physicality. If their picks aren’t big, they need to be competitive. The newly minted Mammoth could go a variety of directions. Porter Martone would provide that size on the wing they’ve been building up. Maybe they’re enticed by Roger McQueen and not scared by the injuries. And while Frondell isn’t huge, he plays a heavy, mature game. They liked a similar player in Cole Beaudoin last year, but Frondell has greater offensive upside. Utah’s interest stems from the hope that Frondell can be their Sasha Barkov or Anze Kopitar.

5. Nashville Predators - James Hagens - Center

This is a system that needs to add a high-end playmaker and that’s Hagens. Did he have a disappointing second half? Sure. Are there concerns about his size and ability to play center at the NHL level? Probably. But the Predators have trusted their U.S. scouts a lot in recent years and Hagens would really inject skill into a system that needs it.

6. Philadelphia Flyers - Porter Martone - Wing

On the one hand, this feels low for Martone, given that NHL teams are going to be drawn to his style of play in hopes that he can be a playoff warrior in the future. But, on the other hand, it’s also possible that teams take a run on the centers available at the top of this draft. That allows Martone to fall into the lap of the Flyers. The perfect complement to Michkov in the future? Maybe there’s hope that Martone could provide what the Flyers thought they’d be getting in Cutter Gauthier prior to the trade demand.

7. Boston Bruins - Brady Martin - Center

At this point it seems inevitable that Martin goes fairly high, perhaps even higher than this. NHL teams love his work ethic and his potential to be a top shelf NHL playoff performer. Look no further than what Sam Bennett is doing in the NHL playoffs currently. Martin is the kind of all situations impact forward that the Bruins need to kickstart their retool.

8. Seattle Kraken - Radim Mrtka - Defense

Is this the year that the Kraken finally uses a first-round selection on a defender? It has to happen at some point, right? The Kraken opt for Mrtka, a big Czech defender who could develop into a top four defensive anchor. How much offensive upside is there? Can the physical game reach another level? They could go for Jackson Smith here, but it seems more likely that they go for the more polished Mrtka, especially considering he played in Seattle of the WHL this year, so they’d be very familiar with him.

9. Buffalo Sabres - Victor Eklund - Wing

Eklund is the type of player that the organization badly needs to help them take that next step. He’s an absolute warrior on the ice and projects as that strong playoff performer because of his compete level. Yes, he’s not huge and needs to fill out, but he could be the perfect complementary winger in their top six. He already had success as a pro in Sweden this past year and could move through their system quickly, fitting their timeline perfectly.

10. Anaheim Ducks - Jake O’Brien - Center

The Ducks have some great goal scorers right now, but a top shelf playmaker like O’Brien could really help the organization moving forward. Anaheim has drafted out of the OHL a lot in recent drafts, and they obviously trust that region and their scouts from that region. O’Brien is going to need some time to bulk up and get quicker, but his upside is as high as any pivot in this draft class.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins - Roger McQueen - Center

The true wild card of the draft because of his health. If McQueen’s back wasn’t an issue, he’s likely a top five pick because of his unique skill set. But, on the heels of Cayden Lindstrom, NHL teams are likely to be pretty skittish. The Penguins are a franchise who can afford to take this home run swing. Their system needs help; they badly need a home run on the heels of the end of the Crosby era. However, the Penguins scouting staff also loves physically assertive and competitive players so don’t rule out someone like Kashawn Aitcheson here.

12. New York Rangers - Jackson Smith - Defense

Smith is unquestionably one of the highest upside players available in the draft this year. He is potentially the complete package on the blueline. However, there are some concerns over his ability to process the game. For that reason, he’s probably a longer-term project who will require patience. For the Rangers, while they could use a center more, it seems unlikely they reach on a player just for the sake of positional or organizational need. Smith gives the Rangers a potential home run and they’ve had some luck with a similar kind of player in K’Andre Miller.

13. Detroit Red Wings - Kashawn Aitcheson - Defense

The Red Wings have a type. Aitcheson is that type. The organization wants to build a team eventually engineered for the playoffs, so the focus has been on compete level and physicality. There may not be a defender who exemplifies those characteristics more in this draft. But his offensive game is underrated, and it gives him a solid chance of developing into a Kevin Bieksa style two-way type. The Wings traded Andrew Gibson and Brady Cleveland hasn’t developed well since being selected. Aitcheson is better than both.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Justin Carbonneau - Wing

One of the draft’s most creative and skilled offensive players, Carbonneau has excellent offensive upside. The Jackets have not shied away from the QMJHL in recent years and he would give them another high-quality offensive player on the wing to build around, given that their center depth is fairly solid. Could make a similar impact to Kent Johnson, who is coming off his best NHL season.

15. Vancouver Canucks - Braeden Cootes - Center

Sometimes things just work out. The Canucks badly need a young center with upside in their system and Cootes just happens to be one of the best players available. It’s likely that they’d be very familiar with him too, considering he plays with Seattle of the WHL. Cootes is a well-rounded two-way center who projects as an all-situations type.

16. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary) - Carter Bear - Wing

With news that Bear’s achilles injury was only a partial tear and that he’s already back on the ice, his draft stock isn’t likely to take much of a hit. Montreal would see Bear as a strong fit in their organization as a complementary piece. He’s competitive and effective through the middle of the ice and would likely be the perfect fit with guys like Suzuki or Demidov.

17. Montreal Canadiens - Blake Fiddler - Defense

With back-to-back picks, the Canadiens take back-to-back WHL players. Yeah, the Canadiens have Reinbacher and Mailloux waiting in the wings as right shot defenders, but the main club badly needs one to pan out. You can never have too many solid defenders who can play the right side in the NHL. Fiddler is a solid two-way presence and gives them a great security blanket.

18. Calgary Flames (via New Jersey) - Jack Nesbitt - Center

This just feels like a fit. The Flames favored the OHL last year and their picks out of the league all had strong draft plus one years. Additionally, they’ve shown a desire to add size to their forward group. Nesbitt is a big pivot who showed really positive growth this year in Windsor. He is a potential all-situations, middle six center.

19. St. Louis Blues - Lynden Lakovic - Wing

While there are some concerns over Lakovic’s compete level and consistency, he’s still a high upside swing as a big winger with skill. The Blues don’t really have a player like this in their system right now, and at this point of the first round, the risks associated with Lakovic are worth taking.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota) - Joshua Ravensbergen - Goaltender

It just seems inevitable that someone is going to bite on Ravensbergen in the first round. He has all the tools to develop into a topflight netminder. The Jackets are a likely candidate. They need a true incumbent in net. They have multiple first round picks. They’ve drafted a lot out of the WHL. Yes, they took Evan Gardner in the second-round last year, but he’s not the same quality of prospect as Ravensbergen.

21. Ottawa Senators - Jakob Ihs Wozniak - Wing

Ottawa is a team that hasn’t been afraid to go a little off the board in recent years. And they’ve primarily focused on players with unique skill sets or physical tools. Ihs Wozniak saved his draft stock with a strong second half and he has top six upside as a bigger scoring winger. Ottawa has also drafted heavily out of Sweden in recent years.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (via Colorado) - Cameron Reid - Defense

After selecting Martone earlier, the Flyers go back to the OHL again to take Kitchener’s Cam Reid. Reid is a highly mobile, two-way defender. He’s not big, but he’s very intelligent and projects as a solid second pairing type who could possibly quarterback a powerplay unit in the future.

23. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay) - Logan Hensler - Defense

Earlier the Predators selected James Hagens out of the NCAA, and they returned there with their second pick, opting for Wisconsin defender Logan Hensler. While his offensive production disappointed in his freshman season, his physical tools make him a potential defensive stalwart at the NHL level. It will also be interesting to see how his on puck game develops as he matures. The Preds traded for Andrew Gibson previously, so there’s obviously a desire to add prospects like this to their pipeline.

24. Los Angeles Kings - Sascha Boumedienne - Defense

There’s definitely a need for the Kings to add a quality defensive prospect to their cupboard and Boumedienne would be a great selection here. He improved drastically in the second half of this year, helping Sweden to a silver medal at the U18’s and Boston University to a second place finish in the NCAA. There’s a need to refine his game and improve his decision making, but the mobility is great, and he has great upside as a top four defender.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (via Toronto) - Malcolm Spence - Wing

After taking Desnoyers with the third overall selection, the Hawks take a similar player in Malcolm Spence, only Spence plays the wing. This gives Chicago another mature two-way player who skates well, who can help insulate some of their younger, higher skilled guys. Spence is leaving the OHL next year to play at Michigan (NCAA), but he could be an NHL’er in only a few years.

26. Nashville Predators (via Vegas) - Vaclav Nestrasil - Wing

The big Czech wing finished the season on a high, with a strong Clark Cup playoff performance for Muskegon. There’s a need to improve his skating, but Nashville hasn’t shied away from players who need to improve pace. With four picks inside the top 35, the Predators can afford to take a few big swings and Nestrasil has solid potential as a top six support player.

27. Washington Capitals - Henry Brzustewicz - Defense

The Capitals would have seen a lot of Brzustewicz this year while keeping tabs on defensive prospect Cam Allen, and there’s certainly been a previous connection to London with the likes of Connor McMichael and John Carlson. Brzustewicz is a raw, but toolsy two-way defender who is going to get a ton of ice time and development opportunities in London moving forward.

28. Winnipeg Jets - Milton Gastrin - Center

It seems likely that the Jets could take a center with their first this year, given the need to improve organizational depth. They have lots of options at this point in the draft, but after what happened with Rutger McGroarty, I wonder if they steer clear of an NCAA player. Gastrin is an athletic, two-way center who projects as a middle six type.

29. Carolina Hurricanes - Cullen Potter - Center/Wing

It seems like the Hurricanes always take the player who is highest ranked by the amateur scouting organizations left remaining on the board; in this case? Speedy forward Cullen Potter. One of the draft’s best skaters, there are concerns about his NHL effectiveness given his size and somewhat perimeter-oriented game. However, Potter is a player with significant NHL upside.

30. San Jose Sharks (via Dallas) - Mason West - Wing

It’s starting to feel inevitable that West goes in the first round this year after fully committing to hockey. He’s such a tremendous athlete and his upside is quite high, as long as you’re willing to exhibit patience. The Sharks already have a deep system and can afford to play the waiting game here. This is the type of home run swing you take when your system is already loaded.

31. Calgary Flames (via Florida) - Cole Reschny - Center

There’s definitely a chance that Reschny goes much higher than this. He’s one of the draft’s most intelligent pivots. However, he also has the feel of the type of guy who NHL teams are a little wary of, with average size and average athleticism. This would be a coup for the Flames, who solidify their center depth with two great first round selections.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Edmonton) - Will Horcoff - Center

When you’ve got three first round picks, you probably take a big swing with one of them. Horcoff is very raw and underdeveloped physically, but when his frame fills out, he could end up being a quality pro. He had some really great moments in the NCAA as a true freshman in the second half.

33. San Jose Sharks - Bill Zonnon - Center/Wing

GM Mike Grier has a type and that’s Zonnon. He loves forwards who bring consistent energy and physicality. Zonnon is one of the draft’s best forecheckers and he’s a capable offensive player too.

34. Chicago Blackhawks - Simon Wang - Defense

It seems likely that an NHL team jumps at Wang early, even if we have him ranked a little lower. The Hawks are probably a great fit. They have the depth to take a big swing like this that requires patience. They also put more emphasis on skating ability than pretty much any other organization at the draft.

35. Nashville Predators - Kurban Limatov - Defense

Last year, the Preds opted to take Russian Yegor Surin with their first-round selection and that looks like a tremendous pick. So why not go back and select mobile defender Limatov, who possesses significant upside as a two-way rock?

36. Philadelphia Flyers - Jacob Rombach - Defense

With a few high-end offensive defenders in the system, including taking Cam Reid earlier in this draft, they take big, stay at home defender Rombach out of the USHL. He could really help to be a calming presence on the blueline in the coming years.

37. Washington Capitals (via Boston) - Michal Pradel - Goaltender

The second goaltender off the board can often be a bit off the board and the Caps continue that trend by taking Pradel, a big netminder with a ton of potential as he gets stronger and improves technically. He gives them a future netminder to build around, a weakness in the system.

38. Seattle Kraken - Eric Nilson - Center

The son of former NHL’er Marcus, Eric is a potential middle six, two-way center who gives the Kraken another pivot to pencil into their lineup in the future. They haven’t drafted a ton out of Sweden, but he checks a lot of the boxes that they typically value.

39. Buffalo Sabres - Shane Vansaghi - Wing/Center

This is a franchise that needs to turn things around and become harder to play against. Vansaghi projects as a fierce competitor who can be tough to play against and who can provide a ton of versatility to the Sabres’ coaching staff in a few years. The Sabres would be very familiar with Vansaghi after watching Maxim Strbak this year.

40. Philadelphia Flyers (via Anaheim) - Daniil Prokhorov - Wing

There’s definitely a chance that this big, budding power forward goes earlier than this. However, he’d look great in the Philadelphia organization as a crease crasher, powerplay triggerman, and overall physical nuisance.

41. Montreal Canadiens (via Pittsburgh) - William Moore - Center

The Canadiens have gotten some good players out of the NTDP in recent drafts. It’s strange to think that it’s possible (like forecasted in this mock) that none could be selected in the first round. Moore is a rangy pivot who has the tools but just needs to get stronger to become more consistent. Montreal can take a swing here in hopes that he puts things together to reach his upside.

42. New York Islanders - Ben Kindel - Center

A bit of a drop for Kindel due to concerns over his frame and skating ability, but he’s a top tier playmaker and a potential all situations pivot. With Eiserman in the system, it would make sense to target a high-end playmaker to help get him the puck in the future. Insert Kindel.

43. New York Rangers - Cole McKinney - Center

The Rangers have loved the NTDP in recent years and after taking Jackson Smith in round one, they opt for a bit safer prospect in round two. McKinney is one of the draft’s best defensive centers and he improved a ton offensively over the course of the season. He is a great fit in the Rangers’ system.

44. Detroit Red Wings - Alexander Zharovsky - Wing

Detroit hasn’t drafted a ton out of Russia lately, at least not like in the glory days, however this seems like the kind of player that they should be targeting here, especially if they go “safer” again with their first-round pick. Zharovsky is a skilled and creative playmaker who has terrific offensive upside. Gives them a player that they don’t have a ton of in the system currently.

45. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus) - Ryker Lee - Wing

A late bloomer physically, Lee is an intelligent and well-rounded offensive player who just needs to get stronger and quicker. There’s a bit of a similar profile to Alex Bump here, when the Flyers took him and that’s worked out pretty well for them so far. Why not go back and try to strike gold twice?

46. Utah Mammoth - Ivan Ryabkin - Center

At some point, someone is going to pull the trigger on Ryabkin early, even if his year was pretty disjointed. The offensive upside is simply too tantalizing to pass up and the Utah franchise has been all about swinging for the fences on Russian players in recent years. This feels like a fit.

47. Vancouver Canucks - Semyon Frolov - Goaltender

It definitely seems likely that the Canucks could look to bring in a goaltender with one of their early round picks this year, given the lack of a clear-cut top prospect in the pool. It seems pretty clear that the Canucks are size queens at the position and that screams Frolov, a big, athletic type that is likely one of the first off the board for the position.

48. Philadelphia Flyers (via Calgary) - Cameron Schmidt - Wing

When you have THIS many selections, you’re going to come to a point where the risk is worth the reward on a player. Schmidt isn’t perfect as a smaller winger, but he has among the highest goal scoring upside of any forward available this year.

49. Montreal Canadiens - Jack Murtagh - Wing

Back-to-back NTDP selections for the Canadiens in this mock. This is a bit of a fall for Murtagh, but his poor U18’s might have left a sour taste in the mouth of some chiefs of staff. He’s got the potential to be a solid complementary piece and that could fit in really well in the Canadiens system down the line.

50. New Jersey Devils - Matthew Gard - Center

A big pivot with good two-way upside and enticing physical tools. The Devils need to upgrade the center depth in their organization and Gard would be considered one of the better pivots still left on the board.

51. Boston Bruins (via St. Louis) - Jack Ivankovic - Goaltender

Given his lack of size, it does seem likely that other goaltenders go before Ivankovic, even if it’s debatable whether he’s the most talented netminder in the class. The Bruins badly need goaltending in the system with the two Providence standouts (Dipietro and Bussi) set to be UFA’s. The Bruins have had good luck historically with smaller netminders like Tim Thomas, Byron Dafoe, and Andy Moog, so this…kind of makes sense.

52. Minnesota Wild - Petteri Rimpinen - Goaltender

With the Wild’s first pick of the draft (after dealing their first), they take a goaltender who had a heck of a season in Rimpinen. He was the Liiga ROY and the top goaltender at the WJC’s. The reality is that Wallstedt’s development has stagnated and Rimpinen can push him pretty quickly.

53. San Jose Sharks (via Ottawa) - Carter Amico - Defense

The Sharks are loaded. We’ve already said it. But if there is a need in the system currently, it is a potential standout stay at home defender. Amico may just be this draft’s best, but he missed most of the year with a knee injury. San Jose can be patient with him in hopes that he can develop into a potential partner for someone like Luca Cagnoni down the line.

54. Calgary Flames (via Colorado) - David Bedkowski - Defense

After drafting so many high-end offensive defenders in recent years, you’d think Calgary could look to use one of their high end picks this year on a physical, stay at home type to pair with them down the line. We’re a bit lower on Bedkowski than the rest of the industry, but we expect him to be drafted this high. Calgary has also loved the OHL in recent years.

55. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay) - Pyotr Andreyanov - Goaltender

Another goaltender taken early because it’s a strong goalie draft. The Predators go with another Russian, who could end up being the best goalie in this class. With so many picks in a strong goalie year, we’d be shocked if the Predators don’t use one on a goalie to groom behind Saros.

56. Tampa Bay Lightning (via Los Angeles) - Adam Benak - Center

When you don’t have a ton in your system and your best prospect (Issac Howard) sounds like he’s spurning you, you’ve got to shoot for the stars. There’s obviously a chance that he’s a faller even further than this because of his size, but you get to a point where the risk is worth it. Benak could certainly end up being a great player for the Lightning.

57. Seattle Kraken (via Toronto) - Ethan Czata - Wing/Center

The Kraken have loved them some OHL since joining the league and even though they took a similar player in Nathan Villeneuve last year, you can’t have too many of these types of players come playoff time. Czata is a staunch competitor and two-way forward who projects as a possible elite third line player down the road.

58. Vegas Golden Knights - Max Psenicka - Defense

The Golden Knights haven’t taken a defender in the first two rounds since Daniil Chayka and that isn’t working out. So, with their first pick in the draft, they go to the WHL to select Import defenseman Max Psenicka. He’s got some really intriguing tools, but he’s still learning to use them to develop an identity.

59. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Washington) - Ben Kevan - Wing

Kevan is a well-rounded offensive player with a chance of developing into a middle six piece in the future. He would instantly become one of the higher upside forward prospects in the system, even if there’s a need for him to get quicker and refine his critical thinking skills on the ice.

60. Anaheim Ducks (via Winnipeg) - Eddie Genborg - Wing

The Ducks have really loved drafting out of Sweden in recent years and here they take Genborg, one of the draft’s most physical forwards. The offensive upside may be a bit limited, but he’s the kind of player who fits in the system well because he projects as a solid complementary piece to the other talented players they have. He’d be a potential playoff warrior for them when the time comes.

61. Boston Bruins (via Carolina) - Everett Baldwin - Defense

Prep kid from Rhode Island who is heading to Providence. Outstanding upside as a two-way defender and one of the better skaters in the draft. He’s a long-term project who needs time to improve his decision making, but he’s a somewhat local kid they would likely be very familiar with.

62. Chicago Blackhawks (via Dallas) - Charlie Trethewey - Defense

Coming into the season Trethewey was seen as a contender for the top defender selected along with Schaefer. Not the case anymore after a poor year with the NTDP. However, he still has great upside as a two-way defender with good mobility. The Hawks can take that chance that he gets back on track.

63. Toronto Maple Leafs (via Florida) - Alexei Medvedev - Goaltender

The Leafs haven’t used a pick in the first three rounds on a goalie since 2016 (when they took Joseph Woll), so they’re due. They’d be very familiar with Medvedev and his development from scouting Easton Cowan this year. His timeline also perfectly lines up with when the pro system will need a new injection of youth. He has the upside to be an NHL netminder and is one of our top goalies available this year.

64. New Jersey Devils (via Edmonton) - Theo Stockselius - Wing/Center

Stockselius is a player flying under the radar a bit right now who could go higher than the pre-draft consensus says. He’s a high IQ type who could potentially be a very versatile player for the Devils down the line. As his frame fills out, it will be interesting to see how the offensive side of things becomes more consistent for him.

2025 MCKEEN’S NHL DRAFT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD!

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 19:05:49 +0000

We are very proud to release our 2025 NHL Draft Guide. The culmination of a season's worth of scouting, travelling and logging countless hours on video, we want to thank our dedicated team of scouts across the country.

140-page magazine (PDF format) for download
Top 300 NHL Draft Prospects
In-depth profiles with grades in five characteristics for forwards, six for goaltenders.
Best of skills rankings
A two round mock draft
Feature articles including interviews, top sleepers, plus much more ...

You can read about our final first round rankings in this free article

Subscribers can download the magazine here.

If you are not a subscriber and interested in learning more, you can learn more here.

Subscribers will receive access for three months and will include all of our other NHL draft coverage as well preparation for the upcoming season. If you choose not to subscribe and wish for a direct download, that will be available next week.

Check out our in-depth profile of #1 ranked Matthew Schaefer as an example of our coverage.

2025 NHL DRAFT: TOP 100 PLUS HONOURABLE MENTIONS – March edition – FOR SUBSCRIBERS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:34:18 +0000

Porter Mantone of the Brampton Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

It’s time for an update to our 2025 NHL draft rankings. Back in December, prior to the World Junior Championships, we released our top 64. Now, not only are we updating, but we’re expanding to a Top 100 (plus honorable mentions). This will be our final draft ranking prior to the release of our Top 300 (along with our annual draft guide).

Erie Otters defender Matthew Schaefer remains on top, despite not playing since our last release due to a collarbone injury suffered at the World Juniors. However, we have no doubt that Schaefer will return stronger than ever. He has been skating recently and is gearing up for a return for the OHL playoffs. At this point, Schaefer is our clear number one and we don’t expect that to change.

The other players in our top ten are all the same, with some minor shuffling. Michael Misa moves ahead of James Hagens based on his strong production with Saginaw, mixed with Hagen’s drop in production with Boston College post World Juniors. We feel that both players have similar projections as top six pivots, but we feel Misa’s frame gives him a greater opportunity to be a more complete pro. Caleb Desnoyers is the other big riser. While, admittedly, we do have some minimal concerns about his offensive upside, we appreciate his pro style of play and safe floor, in combination with the improvement he has shown offensively over the course of this season. Roger McQueen is the big “faller” inside our top ten due to injury and durability concerns. He has recently returned to action and we’re eager to see how he performs down the stretch.

Among the biggest risers, Bill Zonnon, Cole McKinney, and Jake O’Brien standout. O’Brien is knocking on the door of the top ten, moving from 23 to 13 thanks to his elite playmaking ability and three zone awareness. McKinney elevated his play in the second half to become the top pivot on the US NTDP, giving our scouts a better indication of his offensive upside. Zonnon is an energetic forward with a pro frame who has been a favourite of our Eastern scouts thanks to consistent production.

Among the biggest fallers are Malcolm Spence (from 13 to 23, switching with O’Brien), Luca Romano (24 to 44), Ivan Ryabkin (26 to 39), and Tomas Pobezal (from 39 to 81).

You may have caught our recent, and annual second chances series that outlined the top “re-entries” available for 2025. Kristian Epperson (49), Francesco Dell’Elce (82), Petteri Rimpinen (84), and Sam Laurila (98) cracked our Top 100. Additionally, Jamiro Reber is listed as an honorable mention.

Overall, the picture is becoming more and more clear regarding this draft class. Simply put, the majority of our scouts are not enamored with the depth of this group. “In a normal year, when we put together our March list, the debate for the first round is often charged, with the regional scouts all fighting to have their personal, regional favourites included in the top 32,” said Director of Scouting Brock Otten. “But this year, the debate was more about who actually deserved to be ranked in the first round…there was significantly less table pounding.”

“The way I see it” continues Otten, “there is a clear drop off after about the 20th position. There are unquestionably some solid players available outside this range, but few high upside players. Potential role players are the name of the game this year. As a staff, we’re really hoping some players step up in their respective league playoffs and at the U18’s to help give this draft class a little more excitement.”

You can expect our final draft ranking to be released in late May, coinciding with the release of our annual draft guide.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS
1	Matthew Schaefer	D	Erie (OHL)	6-2/180	5-Sep-07	17	7	15	22
2	Michael Misa	C	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/185	16-Feb-07	62	59	67	126
3	James Hagens	C	Boston College (NCAA)	5-10/175	3-Nov-06	35	10	25	35
4	Porter Martone	RW	Brampton (OHL)	6-3/205	26-Oct-06	54	32	60	92
5	Jackson Smith	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-3/195	13-May-07	65	7	41	48
6	Caleb Desnoyers	C	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-2/180	11-Apr-07	56	35	49	84
7	Victor Eklund	LW	Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan)	5-11/160	3-Oct-06	42	19	12	31
8	Anton Frondell	C	Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan)	6-1/195	7-May-07	29	11	14	25
9	Roger McQueen	C	Brandon (WHL)	6-5/195	2-Oct-06	14	9	9	18
10	Lynden Lakovic	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-4/190	12-Dec-06	45	24	31	55
11	Radim Mrtka	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-6/205	9-Jun-07	41	3	31	34
12	Brady Martin	C	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-0/175	16-Mar-07	55	30	37	67
13	Jake O'Brien	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-2/170	16-Jun-07	64	32	64	96
14	Cullen Potter	C	Arizona State (NCAA)	5-10/170	10-Jan-07	34	13	9	22
15	Justin Carbonneau	RW	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-06	61	46	43	89
16	Kashawn Aitcheson	D	Barrie (OHL)	6-1/195	21-Sep-06	63	25	33	58
17	Cameron Reid	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-0/190	8-Apr-07	66	14	39	53
18	Ben Kindel	C	Calgary (WHL)	5-10/175	19-Apr-07	62	34	64	98
19	Braeden Cootes	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/180	9-Feb-07	58	25	36	61
20	Carter Bear	LW	Everett (WHL)	6-0/180	4-Nov-06	56	40	42	82
21	Jack Murtagh	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/200	22-Aug-07	42	20	24	44
22	Cameron Schmidt	RW	Vancouver (WHL)	5-7/160	19-Jan-07	59	39	37	76
23	Malcolm Spence	LW	Erie (OHL)	6-1/200	22-Sep-06	62	32	38	70
24	Joshua Ravensbergen	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-5/190	27-Nov-06	50	33	12	2.93
25	Jack Nesbitt	C	Windsor (OHL)	6-4/185	12-Jan-07	63	24	39	63
26	Cole McKinney	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/200	16-Mar-07	45	21	29	50
27	Eric Nilson	C	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	5-11/155	11-May-07	37	12	26	38
28	Logan Hensler	D	Wisconsin (NCAA)	6-2/190	14-Oct-06	32	2	10	12
29	Henry Brzustewicz	D	London (OHL)	6-2/200	9-Feb-07	65	10	29	39
30	Blake Fiddler	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-4/210	9-Jul-07	62	9	22	31
31	Shane Vansaghi	RW	Michigan State (NCAA)	6-2/210	11-Oct-06	35	6	10	16
32	Bill Zonnon	C	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/185	3-Oct-06	62	28	53	81
33	Jakob Ihs Wozniak	RW	Lulea (Swe J20)	6-2/185	1-Feb-07	40	23	34	57
34	Nathan Behm	RW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-1/190	18-Apr-07	57	31	35	66
35	Adam Benak	C	Youngstown (USHL)	5-7/160	10-Apr-07	53	16	38	54
36	Kurban Limatov	D	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-3/195	20-Mar-07	45	8	15	23
37	Carter Amico	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/225	15-Mar-07	13	0	3	3
38	Cole Reschny	C	Victoria (WHL)	5-10/180	6-Apr-07	60	23	63	86
39	Ivan Ryabkin	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Apr-07	18	11	8	19
40	Milton Gastrin	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	6-1/185	2-Jun-07	40	18	24	42
41	Will Moore	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/175	24-Mar-07	49	21	22	43
42	Sascha Boumedienne	D	Boston University (NCAA)	6-1/175	17-Jan-07	35	3	9	12
43	Conrad Fondrk	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/190	1-Jun-07	40	13	14	27
44	Luca Romano	C	Kitchener (OHL)	5-11/175	25-Jun-07	65	25	26	51
45	Alexander Zharovsky	RW	Tolpar Ufa (MHL)	6-1/165	22-Feb-07	45	24	26	50
46	Max Psenicka	D	Portland (WHL)	6-4/175	18-Jan-07	22	1	5	6
47	Jack Ivankovic	G	Brampton (OHL)	5-11/180	22-May-07	41	23	12	3.13
48	Maxim Agafonov	D	Tolpar Ufa (MHL)	6-2/195	10-Apr-07	33	6	7	13
49	Kristian Epperson	LW	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/180	7-May-06	55	26	51	77
50	Vaclav Nestrasil	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-5/185	6-Apr-07	51	14	19	33
51	Jimmy Lombardi	C	Flint (OHL)	6-0/180	16-Feb-07	61	13	28	41
52	Gustav Hillstrom	C	Brynas (Swe J20)	6-1/175	20-Jan-07	43	16	22	38
53	Pyotr Andreyanov	G	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	6-0/205	22-Jan-07	37	23	6	1.75
54	Arvid Drott	RW	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	6-0/180	11-Aug-07	40	18	18	36
55	Matthew Gard	C	Red Deer (WHL)	6-5/190	7-Apr-07	63	18	17	35
56	Ethan Czata	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-1/175	29-May-07	65	20	33	53
57	Hayden Paupanekis	C	Spokane-Kelowna (WHL)	6-4/195	4-Feb-07	68	22	19	41
58	Charlie Trethewey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/200	2-Aug-07	51	6	12	18
59	Aleksei Medvedev	G	London (OHL)	6-2/180	10-Sep-07	33	22	7	2.72
60	Daniil Prokhorov	RW	MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)	6-5/210	27-Apr-07	41	19	7	26
61	William Horcoff	C	Michigan (NCAA)	6-5/190	23-Jan-07	18	4	6	10
62	Tyler Hopkins	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/180	23-Jan-07	64	19	31	50
63	Lasse Boelius	D	Assat (Fin-U20)	6-0/180	16-Mar-07	34	4	14	18
64	Eddie Genborg	RW	Linkopings (SHL)	6-1/180	20-Apr-07	28	2	0	2
65	Semyon Frolov	G	MHK Krylia Sovetov (MHL)	6-3/200	17-Jan-07	5	2	2	2.75
66	Ben Kevan	RW	Des Moines (USHL)	6-0/180	3-Jan-07	46	12	29	41
67	Peyton Kettles	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-5/195	1-Sep-07	51	5	9	14
68	Zeb Lindgren	D	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	6-1/195	14-Apr-07	38	4	15	19
69	Everett Baldwin	D	St. George's School (USHS-RI)	5-11/175	15-Jan-07	22	10	10	20
70	Ryker Lee	RW	Madison (USHL)	5-11/180	8-Nov-06	48	27	33	60
71	Michal Svrcek	LW	Brynas (Swe J20)	5-10/175	26-Jan-07	30	14	16	30
72	Zachary Morin	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	25-Jan-07	54	16	20	36
73	Jacob Rombach	D	Lincoln (USHL)	6-6/200	1-Apr-07	50	3	15	18
74	Alex Huang	D	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-0/170	30-Jul-07	62	6	33	39
75	Tommy Lafreniere	C	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/170	16-Jan-07	66	24	32	56
76	Haoxi (Simon) Wang	D	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/210	27-Jul-07	29	0	2	2
77	William Belle	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/220	14-Jan-07	50	4	11	15
78	Jan Chovan	RW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-3/185	9-Jan-07	39	11	12	23
79	Luka Radivojevic	D	Muskegon (USHL)	5-9/165	3-Jan-07	28	1	16	17
80	Shamar Moses	RW	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/200	6-May-07	58	12	35	47
81	Tomas Pobezal	C	HK Nitra (Svk)	5-10/180	18-Sep-06	42	15	8	23
82	Francesco Dell'Elce	D	Massachusetts (NCAA)	6-0/170	23-Jun-05	38	6	16	22
83	Vojtech Cihar	LW	Karlovy Vary (Czechia)	6-0/175	29-Mar-07	43	4	5	9
84	Petteri Rimpinen	G	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin)	6-0/175	25-Apr-06	40	16	9	2.36
85	Carlos Handel	D	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-0/170	31-Mar-07	50	3	23	26
86	Burke Hood	G	Vancouver (WHL)	6-3/195	30-Apr-07	41	18	13	3.21
87	Melvin Novotny	LW	Leksands (Swe J20)	6-1/185	3-Apr-07	41	12	26	38
88	Sean Barnhill	D	Dubuque (USHL)	6-5/205	8-Jan-07	46	4	4	8
89	Tomas Poletin	LW	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-1/200	30-Apr-07	25	13	7	20
90	Roman Bausov	D	MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)	6-5/180	28-Apr-07	39	2	9	11
91	Mason Moe	C	Madison (USHL)	6-1/185	26-Mar-07	41	13	24	37
92	Reese Hamilton	D	Calgary-Regina (WHL)	6-0/170	26-Mar-07	59	4	10	14
93	Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen	D	Michigan (NCAA)	6-0/180	18-Dec-06	35	3	6	9
94	Nathan Quinn	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-11/170	29-Aug-07	52	17	29	46
95	Samuel Meloche	G	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-2/190	22-Jul-07	49	29	13	2.96
96	Maceo Phillips	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-6/225	25-Feb-07	47	2	4	6
97	Eduard Bondar	D	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-5/195	31-Jan-07	52	3	9	12
98	Sam Laurila	D	Fargo (USHL)	6-1/185	2-Sep-06	50	7	28	35
99	Owen Conrad	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-2/210	10-Mar-07	62	7	19	26
100	Malte Vass	D	Farjestads (Swe J20)	6-2/185	28-Mar-07	40	2	9	11
HM	Karl Annborn	D	HV 71 (Swe J20)	6-1/185	6-Mar-07	39	3	21	24
HM	Lucas Beckman	G	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-1/180	23-Aug-07	51	30	18	2.68
HM	Carson Cameron	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/190	27-Jun-07	60	7	16	23
HM	Hayden Harsanyi	C	Medicine Hat-Saskatoon (WHL)	5-10/175	10-Jan-07	34	11	12	23
HM	Dmitri Isayev	LW	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	5-9/150	26-Jun-07	43	22	23	45
HM	Atte Joki	C	Lukko (Fin-U20)	6-1/190	21-Jul-07	40	15	17	32
HM	Viktor Klingsell	RW	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	5-10/185	10-Feb-07	43	17	22	39
HM	Nathan Lecompte	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-10/165	19-Jan-07	56	14	35	49
HM	Jeremy Loranger	C	Sherwood Park (BCHL)	5-9/160	15-Jun-07	50	37	57	94
HM	Jamiro Reber	C	HV 71 (SHL)	5-10/170	4-Sep-06	47	8	7	15
HM	Grayden Robertson-Palmer	C	Phillips Academy (USHS-MA)	5-11/195	29-Aug-07	30	16	23	39
HM	David Rozsival	RW	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia U20)	6-0/185	1-Jun-07	30	17	20	37
HM	Lukas Sawchyn	LW	Edmonton (WHL)	5-10/175	27-Feb-07	64	15	38	53
HM	Theo Stockselius	C	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	6-2/180	24-Jul-07	40	22	29	51
HM	Mason West	RW	Edina (USHS-MN)	6-5/205	3-Aug-07	31	27	22	49
HM	Max Westergard	RW	Frolunda (Swe J20)	5-11/160	3-Sep-07	41	19	31	50

2025 NHL DRAFT: TIER TWO LEAGUES PROSPECTS – BCHL, OJHL, NAHL, USHS, etc – FORWARDS

Brock Otten — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:34:39 +0000

Part one of my annual look at the top Tier 2 (BCHL, OJHL, NAHL, USHS, etc) players available for the 2025 NHL Draft. These are the top forwards.

Jeremy Loranger

Jeremy Loranger - Wing/Center - Sherwood Park (BCHL)

5-foot-9, 161 pounds, Shoots: Right

It's certainly hard to compare, given that the BCHL has been slightly decimated thanks to the NCAA's ruling, but Loranger's production does compare favorably to some of the other high end draft picks to come out of the league in the last few decades. He's not quite at Tyson Jost, Jeff Tambellini, Kyle Turris, and Bradly Nadeau, who were all above two points per game, but he's right on par with the likes of Kent Johnson and Alex Newhook. He has played some center this year but mostly lines up on the wing with fellow draft eligible Crusader Kale Dach as his pivot. Loranger also routinely quarterbacks Sherwood Park's powerplay.

Overall, Loranger is an exciting player to watch and it's easy to see why he's been as successful as he has been this year. Tons of skill. Very good shot with a lightning quick release. Gets to the middle of the ice consistently even though he lacks size/strength. While there are some bad junior habits in his game, like overhandling, for example, he largely shows as an intelligent player who really has a clear understanding of how to vary pace and control the tempo of the game. He skates well enough in straight lines and routinely builds in stops/starts to freeze defenders, but his edgework and pushes aren't the cleanest and lack power. I do question whether he'll have the same elusiveness at the higher levels. However, the hands do work perfectly in sync with the feet, giving him full control when he has the puck; the old adage of keeping the puck on a string. Equal parts goal scorer and playmaker, he routinely finds seams and space to play the puck into.

From a physicality perspective, it's obvious that he needs to bulk up. He does kill penalties and is active on the forecheck. Additionally, he's not a perimeter player. However, he can get bullied off the puck and he will occasionally give up possession under pressure in a panic or passively make a pass during 50/50 battles. As an undersized winger, his pro future will be tied to his ability to improve his skating further. The rest is there. He's slated to go to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, but one would guess he spends a year elsewhere first, perhaps with Dubuque of the USHL. Loranger is the kind of player scouts make their money on in the mid rounds.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/jeremy_loranger_-_2nd_period_13_49_-_14_1.mp4

A great example of Lorganger's quick strike ability as he roofs one short side.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 55

Skills: 57.5

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.75

Kale Dach - Center - Sherwood Park (BCHL)

5'11, 165 pounds, Shoots: Left

Loranger's pivot in Sherwood Park. The two of them have ripped up the BCHL this year and it has both of them firmly on the draft radar. In what I would call one of the strangest coincidences ever, Kale is not related to Kirby and Colton, despite also being from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, a town with just over 25,000 people in it. Unlike Loranger, Dach has signed in the CHL with the Calgary Hitmen, intending to play there next year (or for two years), before attending Penn State.

As you might expect from someone leading the BCHL in assists, Dach excels as a pass first, playmaker. He's a really intelligent player. His game, unlike Loranger, is predicated by quick touches. From time to time he'll look to beat a defender one on one to create some extra time and space, or to help him get to the middle, but he mostly operates by getting the puck off his stick quickly in the offensive zone. He receives a pass and he already knows where he's going with the puck, then he'll find open space to drive or settle in to, becoming an option for a return. He's not a dynamic skater; there's a need to improve the power of his strides to be more explosive, but he does operate well in transition because of his quick hands and quick thinking.

Dach also excels away from the puck in all three zones. His stick placement and anticipation in the defensive zone and on the backcheck are impressive. Dach also flashes a physical game, especially on the forecheck, however, there's a need to get stronger for that to be an above average attribute moving up the levels. His shot and shooting ability are inconsistent, perhaps what you'd expect from a pass first player. He shows upside as a scorer on the right flank with a one timer, but his wrist shot doesn't have a ton of zip and often finds the goaltender. While the lack of elite physical tools scares me a bit, I do certainly appreciate Dach's IQ and play creation ability. With the right physical development, he could easily play his way into some kind of NHL role in the distant future.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-kale_dach_-_1st_overtime_1_32_-_1_44.mp4

Dach showing off his ability to get to the net to finish off plays.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2-kale_dach_-_3rd_period_0_43_-_0_55.mp4

A great example of Dach's IQ as a passer as he sets up the goal in this beautiful passing play.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 47.5

Skills: 55

Smarts: 57.5

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.75

Poul Andersen - Wing - Sherwood Park (BCHL)

6'1, 200 pounds, Shoots: Right

The third wheel on that strong Sherwood Park team, playing alongside Loranger and Dach. It's interesting to note the different paths all three players took to find each other. Loranger from Quebec, Dach from Alberta, and Andersen from Minnesota. Andersen is a different player than his two linemates. His game revolves around power and using his size. The University of Maine commit excels in straight lines. Most of his goals are scored near the blue paint or on odd man rushes, where he's the one finishing off a play in tight. Like Loranger and Dach, Andersen can work up to a solid top speed, but his first steps need work to create better and more consistent separation.

He's the perfect complement to Loranger and Dach because he's also a smart player. He does the dirty work on the forecheck or to win possession along the wall. And he shows good vision and playmaking ability coming off the wall or working in transition. Even though he attacks in straight lines, he's not a head down, barrel through you kind of winger. He'll play the puck into space and he finds passing options before driving head on and turning the puck over. Andersen is also a good offensive support player, finding gaps and timing cuts well to become a passing option, especially on the powerplay, where he cycles between the left flank and the bumper position. He's also a fairly consistent physical player, especially in puck pursuit. Andersen's upside may not be as high as Loranger or Dach's, but the small details in his game, combined with his pro frame make him a potential pro down the line. It'll be about the continued development of his skating and small area skill, of which he'll do with Edmonton of the WHL next season before heading to Maine.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/poul_andersen_-_2nd_period_11_53_-_12_5.mp4

A good example of Anderson's ability to work as a complementary goal scorer as he drives wide and creates a two on one that he finishes.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 50

Skills: 50

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 52.5

OFP: 51.375

Rasmus Svartström - Wing - Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL)

6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Shoots: Left

Svartström came to the BCHL from Finland to try to acclimate to the North American game before heading to St. Lawrence University. It's not too often that a BCHL player in their final year of draft eligibility is on the draft radar, but it's also not common for a 6'5 import winger to be leading the BCHL in goal scoring (as of writing this). A massive human, I actually expected Svartström to be a different kind of player. I mean, I expected the physical element to be prominent and it is; he's a very aggressive physical player. He runs over opponents in pursuit of the puck. However, I figured that he'd be purely capitalizing near the net front and just dominating in the bumper spot on the powerplay. Instead, Svartström is actually creating his own scoring chances as much as he's finishing off those created for him. He's not nearly as bad of a skater as I was anticipating. He actually can build decent linear speed, which helps him drive the net and put defenders on his back. There's a ton of room for him to become more explosive and more agile but given that his game is mostly North/South, it doesn't hinder him. He also shows well off the puck in the offensive end, working to make himself a passing option; timing cuts well to get scoring looks. Lastly, his shot is a major weapon. He's scoring in a lot of different ways in the BCHL. With a big one timer on the flank. With a heavy wrister in transition. On the backhand as he drives the net. As he moves up to higher levels, he'll likely be pushed to more of the Tomas Holmstrom role, but this is someone NHL teams will be taking a long look at.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-rasmus_svartstrom_-_3rd_period_23_20_-_23_32.mp4

Well placed shot as Svartström capitalizes on the slot pass.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2-rasmus_svartstrom_-_2nd_period_25_37_-_25_52.mp4

Svartström drives wide and beats the defender to the net, showing off his finishing his ability in tight.

Grades:

Skating: 47.5

Shot: 55

Skills: 47.5

Smarts: 52.5

Physicality/Compete: 57.5

OFP: 51.5

Shaan Kingwell - Wing - Navan Grads (CCHL)/Ottawa 67's (OHL)

5-foot-11, 160 pounds, Shoots: Left

Kingwell was a player who caught my eye while playing for Canada East at the WJAC's. He was one of the lone bright spots for the team at the event. Since then, he has spent some time with the Ottawa 67's, signing with them shortly after the event. Shuttling between Navan and Ottawa this calendar year, Kingwell has played well for both. He's currently without an NCAA commitment, so perhaps his intention is to play full time with Ottawa next year and beyond. In Navan of the CCHL, he looks the part of a dominant offensive player. He escapes pressure consistently, pushes pace, and shows high end scoring upside with a plus shot. Playing at a higher level, such as the OHL and at the WJAC, Kingwell has been more of a support player. Get pucks in deep, work the forecheck, bring some tenacity. At either level, I think he has shown well as a boards player; he has quick feet that allow him to evade pressure and keep plays alive. He has a good skating base, but it's obvious that he needs to get stronger to improve his speed and quickness. He can be knocked off stride too easily. However, I'd expect his skating to improve a lot over the next few years. For me, Kingwell's upside is going to be tied to his scoring ability. The release on his wrister is lightning quick, so as he gets stronger and is able to get himself more chances at the higher levels, he could be a valuable complementary piece. The added strength will make him a more consistent physical threat too, a required element if he wants to take his game to another level.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-shaan_kingwell_-_3rd_period_0_43_-_0_56.mp4

Great shot placement here from Kingwell.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-shaan_kingwell_-_3rd_period_0_43_-_0_56.mp4

Outstanding individual effort from the World Junior A Challenge that sees him turn a defender inside out, then roof it.

Grades:

Skating: 52.5

Shot: 52.5

Skills: 50

Smarts: 52.5

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.625

Ellis Mieyette - Wing - Drumheller Dragons (AJHL)

6-foot-0, 160 pounds, Shoots: Left

Originally mentioned by NHL Central Scouting on their preliminary watch list, Mieyette was not listed as one of the top 224 in North America on their midseason list. He largely struggled at the World Junior A Challenge for Canada West in December and his AJHL production has been fairly inconsistent this calendar year. It's important to note that Mieyette is a late bloomer. He was playing AA only a few years ago and wasn't even a WHL bantam selection. Yet, now he finds himself as one of the leading scorers in the AJHL and with a scholarship to Lindenwood University. That's a pretty impressive turnaround. Watching Mieyette, it's obvious that he has skill. He's a very creative player. He's also a pretty good skater, building to a solid top speed. That combination gives him upside as he moves through the levels. That's why NHL Central Scouting listed him originally. However, the inconsistency can be explained by a lack of strength and a lack of sense, which in turn can be explained by a lack of experience playing at higher levels and at a greater pace. This was very obvious watching him play against Sweden at the WJAC, where he was easily neutralized and kept to the perimeter. That's not to say that he was playing “soft,” he will play the body and compete for pucks. But, he's just not strong enough to be consistent. If an NHL team is using a pick on Mieyette, it's because they see him developing into a point producer as he matures physically down the road. He's a long, long term project.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ellis_mieyette_-_2nd_period_21_9_-_21_21.mp4

Mieyette makes no mistake from the low slot.

Grades:

Skating: 52.5

Shot: 50

Skills: 55

Smarts: 47.5

Physicality/Compete: 47.5

OFP: 50.75

Frantisek Netusil - Center/Wing - Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)/Green Bay (USHL)

5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Shoots: Right

Czech born pest like player who has played the last two seasons in North America; last year with the New Jersey Rockets AAA program and this year in the NAHL with Minnesota. The Western Michigan commit is a real pain in the butt to play against. He consistently finishes his checks, gets under the skin of opponents, and occasionally crosses the line of safety. He's also a committed and versatile two-way player who shows great awareness and commitment in all three zones. He's played both center and the wing over the last few seasons in North America, and given his skill set, I believe he's a more natural fit for the wing long term. Netusil isn't the kind of dynamic skater that you normally look for in undersized forwards, but he does build to a solid top speed that can catch defenders flat footed. With greater focus on conditioning, and the elongation of his strides, I believe it shows promise to be an above average area for him, helping him play a high energy game. From a skill perspective, Netusil's shot is his bread and butter. He's got a quick release on his wrist shot but can also one time pucks from the slot or half wall, giving him upside as a scorer as he moves through the levels. In his cup of coffee at the USHL level this year, he had a bit of a tough time maintaining possession through traffic or making skilled plays with the puck; the creativity and overall skill are somewhat limited. Yet, there are enough pieces to the puzzle here to suggest that Netusil could end up being a pesky bottom six option down the line. NHL Scouts are going to wish he were bigger for the kind of role he plays, but the tenacity in his game will endear him to them.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/frantisek_netusil_-_1st_period_25_47_-_25_59.mp4

An example of Netusil's physicality, as he plasters an opponent near the bench.

Grades:

Skating: 52.5

Shot: 52.5

Skills: 47.5

Smarts: 50

Physicality/Compete: 57.5

OFP: 51.75

Grayden Robertson Palmer - Center - Phillips Andover Academy (USHS-Prep)

5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Shoots: Left

High octane playmaking center who consistently skates circles around lower-level prep players. His speed is a major factor to his success, especially when you combine it with his tenacity. This is a pivot who is physically engaged in all three zones and who makes himself difficult to play against, despite lacking size. He forces a ton of turnovers with both his speed and his strength. He plays down low and wins battles along the wall and then he's off on the breakout, transitioning quickly. Or he's winning races to loose pucks or retrievals easily and establishing possession for Phillips Andover. The captain of Andover Academy is also an excellent play creator because of his vision and passing ability. He pushes pace and routinely finds open linemates at full speed, showing excellent anticipation and awareness. He also operates well behind the goal line, keeping his feet moving to keep plays alive until he can find a passing option in the slot. A Dartmouth commit, we'd probably be talking about Robertson Palmer as a potential top two round selection out of prep if he were bigger. However, he's only a few weeks shy of being first time eligible in 2026, so there could be a lot of physical development left for him. Patience will be key, but if his skating ability holds up at the higher levels, he's going to be someone who could develop into a versatile middle of the lineup piece at the NHL level. NHL scouts should be all over him.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/grayden_robertson-palmer_-_1st_period_17_41_-_17_58.mp4

Great example of Robertson Palmer's speed and playmaking ability as he goes coast to coast to set up the goal.

Grades:

Skating: 55

Shot: 47.5

Skills: 50

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.625

Graham Jones - Center - Shattuck St. Mary's (USHS-Prep)

5-foot-8, 150 pounds, Shoots: Left

A former first round selection of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL), Jones instead opted to join the Shattuck's program and has since committed to Boston College. He's a high end skater who loves to attack defenders head on. He plays the game at a blistering pace. He routinely beats defenders on the outside and cuts to the middle or drives the middle lane and gets to the net, proving that he's not a perimeter player despite his lack of size. Jones' skill as a playmaker is evident too. He gets pucks to the middle of the ice and can maintain possession while operating at full speed, keeping the puck in his hip pocket to shield it from bigger defenders. His hands and feet work in sync, and he varies pace to keep defenders guessing. His shot isn't a major weapon; he's a pass first pivot. He's also not likely to be much of a factor physically at higher levels, even if he's not a perimeter player at the prep level. However, he does show well in the defensive end, a testament to his three-zone awareness. He anticipates passing lanes well and forces turnovers on the backcheck and forecheck, then it's off to the races as he storms up the ice in transition. The lack of size is obviously a concern, and it's going to make him a late round selection (if at all). However, he has the speed, smarts, and tenacity that you like to see from smaller players.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/graham_jones_-_1st_period_19_29_-_19_41.mp4

Jones intercepts a pass and then it's off to the races as he drives wide and cuts in for the scoring chance.

Grades:

Skating: 57.5

Shot: 45

Skills: 55

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.5

Alexander Donovan - Wing - Shattuck St. Mary's (USHS-Prep)

5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Shoots: Right

Donovan is a unique player with a few really intriguing and projectable skills. He started the year playing for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, but outside of a dominant performance against Germany, he was largely a non-factor. Then he returned to Shattuck St. Mary's for a fourth season. A Denver University commit, Donovan's best skill is unquestionably his shot. He can absolutely rifle the puck. It's possibly a top ten shot in this entire draft class. His wrist shot is quick, explosive, deceptive, and accurate. He can also one time pucks cleanly from the flank or slot. Donovan is also a fairly physical player, especially in puck pursuit. He looks to get after it on the forecheck and he, largely, plays bigger than his size. But the rest of his game needs major refinement. Consistency has been an issue for him and there appear to be a few reasons why; things he'll need to work on to be a solid NCAA player, let alone an NHL player. For one, his skating isn't dynamic enough given his size. His first few steps lack power, and he can be slow to pucks or spots because of it. It also can limit his effectiveness in transition. Secondly, his decision making leaves some to be desired, both with and without the puck. He can force plays with the puck and turnovers have been an issue. Without the puck, he isn't finding those soft spots as consistently as you would like given his shooting ability. Lastly, while he's a fairly physical player, his defensive zone commitment and ability to work between the hash marks are questionable. If you're drafting Donovan, you're hoping that he can gain a step at Denver and learn to take better advantage of his shot as a strong complementary piece. His upside is high, but the downside is quite low.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/alexander_donovan_-_1st_period_12_9_-_12_21.mp4

Look at that release. Blink and you'll miss that one.

Grades:

Skating: 47.5

Shot: 60

Skills: 55

Smarts: 45

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.375

Connor Davis - Wing - Salisbury School (USHS-Prep)

6-foot-0, 183 pounds, Shoots: Right

The Northeastern commit is a competitive two-way winger with the potential to develop into a solid middle six, complementary piece at the NHL level. It's pretty rare to say that a prep player plays a very mature, pro style game, but that's Davis. He skates hard North/South and gets to the net. His stride isn't the most efficient and there's room for more power, but he builds to a solid top speed and can beat prep defenders to the net, to spots, and to the puck pretty consistently. His compete level would definitely be classified as solid. Seems to be more physical in the defensive end and neutral zone than he is in the offensive zone, a testament to his will and desire to force takeaways and be hard to play against. Offensively, he shows well as a playmaker with excellent vision, especially for the kind of North/South game he likes to play. Is particularly dangerous on the man advantage, working the half wall. Davis flashes some creativity with the puck too, but he's probably best suited to be more of a work horse alongside a more skilled pivot at the higher levels. Evaluating later born prep players can sometimes be difficult (Davis has a November 2006 birthday) because of the physical advantages they hold over other prep players. However, Davis impresses with his attention to detail and well rounded skill package. I feel like Northeastern has done really well with these types of players in recent years and that makes me more confident about his development. I'd have a lot of time for Davis in the later rounds.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-connor_davis_-_1st_period_27_21_-_27_33.mp4

Davis regroups along the wall and threads a cross ice pass to set up a goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2-connor_davis_-_1st_period_10_41_-_10_53.mp4

Davis showing off his skill as he turns a defender inside out and buries one.

Grades:

Skating: 52.5

Shot: 50

Skills: 50

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.375

William Schneid - Wing - Northwood School (USHS-Prep)

6-foot-0, 195 pounds, Shoots: Right

Schneid recently signed with the OHL's Barrie Colts, but won't be suiting up for them next year. The intention here is to play a year or two in the OHL before honoring his commitment to the University of Connecticut. Schneid is a well rounded, complementary winger with a goal scorer's touch. He's strong on the puck and gets to the net consistently. His shot shows major promise as being an above average weapon for him. Sometimes me misses the mark, fails to corral pucks, or whiffs, but when he gets himself square, he can really pick corners with a whip-like release. I suppose the concern here would be that outside of his shot, the rest of his game is fairly vanilla. Schneid isn't really a dynamic skater. He can build to a decent top speed North/South, but he's not the most agile or balanced and his first few strides lack power. Schneid also isn't a flashy or creative player with the puck. He already operates best as a complementary piece at the prep level and that can be a bit concerning. His compete level and physical play are solid, but somewhat inconsistent. When he joins the OHL next season, it'll be interesting to see how he fits in and performs.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/william_schneid_-_3rd_period_5_28_-_5_40.mp4

Schneid joins the play as a trailer and roofs one.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 55

Skills: 50

Smarts: 50

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51

Brent Solomon - Wing - Champlin Park High (USHS-MN)

6-foot-0, 173 pounds, Shoots: Right

Solomon is an exciting and dynamic offensive star who has become Champlin Park's first ever Mr. Hockey finalist. He's best classified as a shoot first kind of player, at least at the high school level where he regularly finishes games with well over 20 shots. Shot selection will definitely be a focal point for development as he moves up to the higher levels, as a lot of these each game are lower percentage shots from the perimeter. Solomon also routinely beats high school defenders one on one, turning them into swiss cheese, with the way that his hands work in sync with his feet. He's not an explosive North/South player, but he can play through defenders, catching them flat footed with his ability to cut to the inside quickly. In fact, he does a great job of varying pace as an attacker, knowing when to attack at full speed and when not to. It's tough to truly evaluate his “IQ” at this level because of the way he plays and leads the Champlin Park attack. He flashes high end passing and playmaking ability, but then also forces shots, forces dekes and gets caught with his head down. As mentioned, his game does not lack skill or touch, but it will need refinement. Additionally, at this stage, he's not a consistently committed two-way player or physical player. He'll get to the net for scoring opportunities, but he's not strong along the wall or a high impact forechecker. Defensively, he can cheat for offense. As a skater, Solomon shows very good edge work and agility, which he uses to work more on a lateral plane, than North/South. His first step quickness and overall top speed could use some improvement as he moves up the higher levels, but he does project as an above average skater. Headed to the University of Wisconsin, look for Solomon to make a stop in the USHL for a year or two first. He possesses significant offensive upside that can be unlocked with the right coaching and development.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/brent_solomon_-_2nd_period_13_23_-_13_35.mp4

Solomon accepts a breakout pass and turns a simple two on two into a goal with his quick wrister.

Grades:

Skating: 52.5

Shot: 55

Skills: 55

Smarts: 50

Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 51.875

Mason West - Wing - Edina High (USHS-MN)

6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Shoots: Right

Elite three sport athlete who is still determining his future path in sport. One of the top quarterback recruits out of the state and there could be a chance that he tries to play collegiately in both football and hockey…thus why he has yet to commit to an NCAA program yet. His high-end athleticism is visible on the ice. Big kid who moves very impressively. Builds to a solid top speed moving North/South but has refined balance and edgework that allows him to put defenders on his back to protect the puck in motion. For that reason, he's a tough check for high school defenders right now; near impossible for them to separate him from the puck. West also shows strong vision with the puck and a clear understanding of how to use his size to be a factor away from the puck. He gets to the net. He forechecks. I wouldn't call him an overly physical player (perhaps shocking given his football background), but maybe that's something he grows into. His shot shows promise if he can work on his release; it's heavy, but he can have a tendency to whiff under pressure. From a skill perspective, again, there's upside. He handles impressively well at full speed for a big man, although he can keep the puck too far out, leaving him susceptible to stick checks. He needs to operate more in his hip pocket, using his size to his advantage in transition. What West ultimately ends up becoming…if he even chooses hockey, remains to be seen. My guess is that NHL teams will be monitoring his situation closely leading up to the draft. Will he commit to a program in either sport? How will he respond to questions at the combine (he seems like a very safe bet to be invited given the information teams will want to acquire). A pick of the Fargo Force, it will also be interesting to see if he closes the year in the USHL. It would be great to see how much of his dominance at the high school level comes from his size and skating advantage.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-mason_west_-_2nd_period_5_18_-_5_31.mp4

We see West's quick strike ability as he jumps on a loose puck and generates a high end scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2-mason_west_-_2nd_period_6_37_-_6_50.mp4

West's frame and reach at work as he plays through a defender to make a pass to the slot that results in a goal.

Grades:

Skating: 55

Shot: 50

Skills: 50

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 52.5

OFP: 52.625

Cooper Simpson - Wing - Shakopee High (USHS-MN)

6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Shoots: Left

Simpson came into the year as a potential top two round pick after a strong draft minus one year split between Shakopee High (Minnesota high school) and Tri-City of the USHL. His pro frame, combined with his scoring ability and skill gave him significant upside. However, his draft year has been somewhat tumultuous. He played a key role for the United States at the Hlinka/Gretzky in the summer, and even though he didn't find the scoresheet much, he did enough to impress with his play creation ability. However, rather than spend time with Tri-City again to start the year, he has played all season in Minnesota, which has some scouts confused. He's the odds-on favourite to be Mr. Hockey in Minnesota this year, so his play at the high school level hasn't been the issue, more the fact that he didn't challenge himself to play at the USHL level again. There's no doubting Simpson's skill and scoring ability. He has a rocket of a shot. He gets himself in good scoring positions and earns open looks all over the ice. He can beat defenders one on one and creates time and space for himself with strong edgework and puck protection skill. However, there also hasn't been a ton of growth or progression in his game from a year ago. There's still a need for him to improve his explosiveness. He's also the kind of player who's faster without the puck than with it; there's a tendency for his strides to become shorter and choppier when he carries. Additionally, Simpson's decision making continues to be inconsistent. He flashes high end vision and playmaking ability. But also operates as a high-volume shooter who can force plays under pressure resulting in low percentage shots or turnovers. His compete and physicality are equally inconsistent. I saw a quote recently that suggested NHL scouts were concerned that Simpson's game would need major refinement at the junior level before becoming an NCAA player, let alone an NHL one. He's going to be seen as a major project pick for that reason. The upside is still significant and how he closes out the year (maybe at the USHL level or in the Minnesota HS tournament) will go a long way as to determining his draft fate.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-cooper_simpson_-_1st_period_25_34_-_25_47.mp4

Simpson's skill on display at the Hlinka/Gretzky, as he goes coast to coast for the great chance against Finland.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 55

Skills: 57.5

Smarts: 47.5

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52

Brooks Cullen - Center - Moorhead High (USHS-MN)

6-foot-0, 185 pounds, Shoots: Left

It's pretty rare for high school players to be on the draft radar in their second year of eligibility, but Cullen is a rare case. For one, he's the son of former NHL standout Matt Cullen. For two, he missed the September cutoff to be first time eligible in 2025 by only a couple of days. The captain of Moorhead has improved a ton as an offensive player this year as he matures physically and that has him firmly on the radar. A Michigan State commit, Cullen is a very intelligent two-way pivot. He shows good vision with the puck and operates well with the puck whether he's pushing the pace or slowing things down. He's also highly effective off the puck in all three zones, with an active stick and the work ethic to match. As a skater, Cullen shows quick bursts of speed that allow him to create separation from high school defenders. He doesn't project as more than an average skater moving up the levels, however, it will be interesting to see how improved conditioning at the NCAA impacts that. Cullen's offensive toolkit also includes a heavy wrist shot, which he uses effectively in the slot. The overall offensive upside may not be extremely significant, but the pedigree and IQ are enough to make me extremely curious about the type of player he could be five years from now. Maybe NHL teams look to see how he performs in the USHL first, or even wait to see how he does at Michigan State, however, don't count him out as a potential pick.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/brooks_cullen_-_1st_period_16_7_-_16_20.mp4

Cullen buries one, showing off his deceptive release, picking the corner far side.

Grades:

Skating: 52.5

Shot: 52.5

Skills: 50

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.125

Kieren Dervin - Center - St. Andrew's College (PHC)/Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Shoots: Left

The St. Andrews College program has been an NHL draft selection factory the last decade and this year they have a few quality prospects for the mid rounds. Dervin, a Penn State commit, is someone who has greatly benefited from the ruling that opened up the NCAA route for CHL players. He's played most of this year with SAC, but will join Kingston full time when the prep season is over, allowing Dervin to be along for the ride during Kingston's playoff run. He probably spends all of next year (perhaps more) with the Fronts before joining Penn State. Now, this is great because Dervin's biggest weakness is a lack of strength and conditioning; he'll have a ton of time to work on that. This has been most obvious at the OHL level with Kingston where he's had trouble keeping possession of the puck and playing through traffic. There's a will there, and that's obvious when he's playing with SAC. He competes for space and pucks and he's an improving three zone pivot. However, consistency has been a huge issue for him this year. The basic foundation of a quality middle six center is there. He skates well. He has good vision as a passer and, as mentioned, shows promise as a two-way threat. However, is he skilled enough? Again, his on puck play and production have been wildly inconsistent. For that reason, Dervin looks more like a mid round selection than a top 75 one, as might have been the case early on this season.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/kieren_dervin_-_2nd_period_15_9_-_15_22.mp4

Great feed from Dervin as he secures the puck off the face, draws in pressure and feathers a perfect pass to set up the goal.

Grades:

Skating: 55

Shot: 50

Skills: 50

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.25

Aiden Lane - Wing - St. Andrew's College (PHC)/Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Shoots: Right

Lane is another player who has greatly benefitted from the NCAA ruling. A Harvard commit, Lane has signed with the Brampton Steelheads and intends to play with them for at least another season before heading to the NCAA. This year, like Dervin, he's spent some time in the OHL in between breaks with St. Andrew's College. He'll also finish out the year in the OHL, arriving in time for Brampton's hopeful playoff run. If we're describing Lane's game, the best thing I can say is that if he were a better skater, he'd be in strong consideration for the first two rounds. He's got a pro frame. His game is extremely detail oriented. He gets to the net. He is hard on pucks in all three zones. He has great offensive zone anticipation. He's not the most skilled player and for that reason, his upside as a pro is likely limited to the bottom six. However, he understands that he's not the most skilled or creative player on the ice and for that reason, he operates perfectly as a complement to other more dynamic playmakers. The real issue is that skating. Lane lacks power and speed in straight lines, relying on his IQ at the junior and prep level to be a step ahead of the competition. But as he moves up the levels, those gaps will close and he won't have that advantage to lean on. That's why the newly available OHL/NCAA route is a perfect one for him. He's going to have a ton of time to become a more explosive player and that will improve his odds of being a long time pro.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/aidan_lane_-_1st_period_9_58_-_10_11.mp4

Lane's game in a nutshell. Get to the net, make things happen.

Grades:

Skating: 47.5

Shot: 52.5

Skills: 50

Smarts: 57.5

Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.125