There’s very little rest for the scouting departments of NHL teams. Scouts were able to take in some summer hockey at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament in Edmonton in early August, then enjoyed a little down time before the grind of a new season got going again in the third week of September.
One year ago, we tabbed Macklin Celebrini as the No. 1 prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft. He did not disappoint, holding the top spot from wire-to-wire and was eventually taken first overall by San Jose. Along the way, he became the youngest ever Hobey Baker Award winner, and was arguably Canada’s best player at the world juniors at just 17 years of age. He scored a goal in his long-awaited NHL debut last week and didn’t look out of place at the next level.
We may see something similar this season with Boston College’s James Hagens. Hagens debuted this past weekend and picked up an assist in both of Boston College’s two games at Michigan State.
Hagens has excelled at every level before. He tore up the U17 World Challenge with 21 points. His 22 points at the U18 worlds established a new record, surpassing Nikita Kucherov’s 21 set in 2011. Hagens is quick, smart, has good hands and is a dual threat to create offence, while being a responsible defensive player. It’s not inconceivable that he’ll go wire-to-wire as this year’s top prospect.
He will have a few challengers along the way, though. Porter Martone of Brampton brings many of the same characteristics as Hagens, but in a bigger package. If teams are leaning defence, Matthew Schaefer and his elite skating may be the one to move into that top spot. There’s also Anton Frondell, Roger McQueen and don’t sleep on the exceptional status wonder, Michael Misa, who’s off to a torrid start with OHL Saginaw.
It’s notable that the projected top end of this draft class is full of late birthdays, which means players born after September 15, 2006. Last year, five of the top 16 picks were late birthdays, but the 2025 draft could see five late birthday players go inside the top 10. My top two ranked players (Hagens and Martone) are both late birthday players. Typically, this is advantageous for the team that drafts those players because the player will have had an additional year of experience and, in some cases, scrutiny.
Some other trends that will separate this draft include the number of high-end players coming out of the Canadian Hockey League. Fourteen CHL-trained players were taken in Round 1 of the 2024 draft and this year all three leagues, led by the OHL, have players projected to go in the top 32. The QMJHL, which has struggled the past couple of drafts, will experience a resurgence with the likes of Moncton’s Caleb Desnoyers and Chicoutimi’s Emile Guite amongst others. The OHL looks to have a strong class with Martone and Schaefer leading the way. McQueen and Jackson Smith represent the high end crop out of the WHL. My initial list below includes 18 CHLers.
Interestingly, this draft class features a couple of high-end goaltending prospects as well. Two in particular are likely to go in the first round, which we haven’t seen since 2021. Brampton’s Jack Ivankovic was lights out at the Hlinka tournament, while Prince George’s Joshua Ravensbergen has come out of nowhere to lead the way in the WHL. Two Russian netminders playing overseas, Pyotr Andreyanov and Semyon Frolov, are off to great starts in the MHL.
Noticeably absent on this list is a Finnish player, as this year’s class clearly represents a downturn in the cycle of players coming out of that country. A number of scouts at the Hlinka-Gretzky commented that the Finnish entrant into that event was one of the least talented they’d seen in ages. While it does speak to the cyclical nature of the draft, we’re not used to seeing a list devoid of Finnish-born players. Surely some will emerge as the season progresses, but this is a rarity.
Here is our first draft ranking of the season.
1. James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Boston College (NCAA): He’s destroyed competition at every level. Most notably, his 22 points collected at the 2024 U18 worlds surpassed Nikita Kucherov to establish a new tournament record.
2. Porter Martone, C, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL): Size and skill set are a rare combination, which is why he will generate plenty of first overall pick talk as the season progresses.
3. Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL): May be the most beautiful and efficient skater this draft class has to offer. Absolutely brilliant in the Hlinka-Gretzky this summer, but he hasn’t yet played this OHL season due to a bout with mono.
4. Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): Somewhat of an enigma because he has all the elements in his game to dominate and the size that scouts love, but there’s some inconsistency in his play.
5. Michael Misa, LW, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL): It’s not easy living up to the expectations that come with attaining exceptional status, but Misa has done everything expected of him and has plenty left to give here in his draft year.
6. Ivan Ryabkin, C, 6-feet, 170 pounds, Dynamo Moscow (MHL): One-on-one skill and ability to navigate through traffic are elite elements in his game. He can score, make plays and isn’t a defensive liability.
7. Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA): A dynamic puck transporter with a sneaky extra gear. Uses reach and mobility to defend.
8. Anton Frondell, C, 6-feet, 196 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): With off-season training time limited due to injury, his early draft stock will live off the currency he established as an underaged player. He’s been back playing since late August bouncing between the national team, and Djurgardens’ U20 and Allsvenskans teams.
9. William Moore, C, 6-foot-2, 161 pounds, USNTDP (USHL): Can work through checks, but can also excel in the one-on-one game with good foot speed and hands to match.
10. Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL): Leans more playmaker than scorer. Wore a letter at 17 years old in the OHL and did the same for a gold medal-winning U18 team in April.
11. Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL): The reigning OHL Rookie Of the Year is a playmaking machine. He controls the puck with his head on a swivel and often makes plays that surprise opponents.
12. Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): Brother of San Jose Shark William, Victor works well in small areas and can score from mid-range. Has been able to produce good numbers early in the Allsvenskan season.
13. Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL): After a solid showing at the Hlinka-Gretzky, injury issues interrupted the start to his regular season. He possesses great hands and creativity.
14. Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, Trinec (Extraliiga): Size is back in the NHL and Mrtka is the biggest of all the projected first-rounders. He is far from a finished product, but there’s plenty to like in his skating and defending ability.
15. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Lulea (J20): Plays a heady game and is well aware of what his best option likes. Can shoot it accurately with a lightning quick release.
16. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, 6-foot-5, 192 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL): Size makes him an option for any NHL team. Undrafted into the WHL, he’s since lit the league afire, having tied the rookie record with six shutouts as a 16-year-old in 2023-24.
17. Cole Reschny, LW, 5-foot-9, 161 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL): Is constantly in motion working to track pucks and create offence through transition. In spite of his smaller stature, he’s put up offensive numbers wherever he’s played.
18. Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL): The early returns are that he’s a player similar to Carter Yakemchuk where his skating, edge work and playmaking ability are elite for a defenceman.
19. Emile Guite, LW, 6-foot-1, 174 pounds, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL): Tall and lanky, Guite has plenty of room for growth. His shot is elite and NHL-ready right now.
20. Braeden Cootes, C, 6-feet, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL): He could be this year’s version of Jett Luchanko as a riser, but plays with more physicality.
21. Blake Fiddler, D, 6-foot-4, 207 pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL): Having NHL bloodlines always helps. Vernon’s son, Blake Fiddler, is a great skater for his size. He can transport pucks, make a good first pass and shoots it a ton.
22. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL): Missing the cut off for last year’s draft by only a few days, Aitcheson plays a hard physical game and has some offensive tools.
23. Sascha Boumedienne, D, 6-foot-2, 182 pounds, Boston University (NCAA): A smooth skater, and adept puck handler, he will be challenged to play a more simple game against older, tougher competition at the college level.
24. Viktor Klingsell, LW, 5-foot-10, 183 pounds, Skelleftea (J20): Had a great start to the scouting season with a 12-point effort for the Swedes at the Hlinka-Gretzky. He plays at a high pace, creates space for himself and finds others.
25. Jan Chovan, C, 6-foot-3, 181 pounds, Tappara (J20): Has already played in two Hlinka-Gretzky’s and a world U18. Chovan’s size and playmaking ability make him an attractive pick out of a country that has enjoyed a resurgence of late.
26. Milton Gastrin, LW, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, MODO (J20): A two-way centre who can drive play offensively. He’s an effective checker and match-up player and competes hard all over the ice. He has already made his SHL debut this season.
27. Adam Benak, C, 5-foot-7, 161 pounds, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): The first of two diminutive forwards who have world class ability. His record-setting performance at the Hlinka-Gretzky can’t be overlooked, where he put up 21 points in five games for bronze medal-winning Czechia.
28. Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-8, 152 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL): Logan Stankoven should be a great example why NHL teams shouldn’t necessarily turn their backs on a small forward. Schmidt is off to better than a goal per game start with 11 in nine games.
29. Jack Ivankovic, G, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL): He was so good in his 16-year-old season that Brampton GM James Richmond was able to deal away Buffalo prospect Ryerson Leenders and hand the reins over to the now 17-year old Ivankovic.
30. Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL): Is adept at handling the puck at high speed and working through traffic. His 31 goals a year ago were not by accident. He’s fun to watch because his game is so unpredictable.
31. Charlie Trethewey, D, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, USNTDP (USHL): Plays the position honestly. Uses good feet to defend, and is also an effective passer. He processes the game quickly, which leads to efficient and effective decision making.
32. Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 175 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL): Country-strong, he combines great skating ability with a deadly shot.
