Three teams, 153 touchdowns: Dillon Gabriel’s long road toward another NCAA record
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Max Olson, ESPN Staff Writer
EUGENE, Ore. — The vibe king of college football is in his natural element. He’s leaning forward in his chair inside Oregon’s quarterback room, fresh out of a Tuesday morning practice with the No. 1 team in the country. Dillon Gabriel feels right at home in this space as he picks through a takeout box of crispy chicken, beef teriyaki, rice and macaroni salad.
“It’s everything I thought it would be and more, honestly,” Gabriel said of his season with the Ducks.
A six-year journey of quarterbacking across the country has brought him here to chase an unforgettable ending. The Ducks are three wins away from their first-ever national championship. They’ve come this far with a QB who has truly seen it all since he moved from Hawaii to begin college in 2019.
Through stops at UCF, Oklahoma and now Oregon, Gabriel has become the most experienced starting quarterback in major college football history. He achieved 10-plus-win seasons at all three schools and has been an all-conference performer in three different leagues.
“He’s doing stuff no one’s ever done,” Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson said.
Gabriel already owns the NCAA record for total touchdowns (187), and he’s about to break another record. He has thrown 153 career touchdown passes and enters the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl against Ohio State (5 p.m. ET, ESPN) just three touchdowns away from surpassing Case Keenum’s FBS record. He could become the NCAA’s all-time leading passer, too, if the Ducks go all the way.
Finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty was an honor but one he was never chasing. The mission was championships. That’s the only thing Gabriel hasn’t achieved over six seasons and more than 4,300 career snaps.
As Gabriel closes in on rings, records and the final days of a 63-game college career, ESPN sat down with the Ducks’ quarterback and also asked the players who know him best — the teammates who have hauled in those 153 touchdowns — to reflect on where he began, what he gained and lost, and who he became in the process of chasing greatness across the sport.
“God’s got a weird way of just putting you where you need to be,” Gabriel said. “My goal is to just trust that and have a sense of peace knowing that what happens will be. It’s about how can I give myself the best shot by the way I work, coming in every day, not wasting a day. There really is no tomorrow. Why wait for it?
“That’s kind of been my motto for this year. And that’s all because of the s— I’ve been through.”
Part 1: UCF
Back in 2019, coach Josh Heupel was leading UCF in the American Athletic Conference, four seasons before the program joined the Big 12. Name, image and likeness compensation was still two years away. The Knights were searching for a QB entering 2019 while McKenzie Milton recovered from devastating leg injury. Dillon Gabriel, a true freshman from Hawai’i, was making a push to play right away.
UCF WR Marlon Williams: There’s a reason why Dillon had to step in and play as a freshman. D.J. Mack Jr. was our starting quarterback. He was playing intramural basketball at the rec at UCF right before camp and broke his ankle. The coaches made sure there was no more basketball after that. I think they used to have coaches pop in over there randomly just to make sure we weren’t there.
I was like, ‘Aw man, this is going to be a long season.’ But after we saw Dillon throw it around a couple times, we were like, ‘Oh, we’ll be fine.’
UCF WR Tre Nixon: His energy was contagious. He was excited to be out there. You could tell he’s passionate about football. I think a guy coming in as a freshman and having that same energy every single day, being around someone like that brings the fun back into football. That’s the first thing I noticed about Dillon that was different from every other freshman.
Williams: He was still a young guy, a little immature. But we all saw he was going to be the player he is today. That’s why he played.
UCF RB Adrian Killins Jr.: Any chance Dillon got, he wanted to compete. He wasn’t being arrogant or anything like that. He was just trying to bring a different element to the team.
I’ll never forget, we were in training camp his freshman year and he was worried he didn’t have a good camp and fell in the depth chart. He was down on himself, being very negative, and that’s normal. I told him, ‘Bro, you got to stop being so soft. Stop being so sensitive. Toughen up. Just compete. Just go out there and be you.’
QB Dillon Gabriel: He’s like, ‘Get out your feelings, bro. Stop pouting and s—.’ My young, competitive freshman self was a little emotionally uncontrollable. He was like the Yoda for me.
Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush won the starting job out of fall camp, but Gabriel would play in the season opener as well and led four touchdown drives in a 62-0 win over Florida A&M. He started the rest of the way for a 10-3 team.
Gabriel: Whether I liked it or not, it kept me hungry and kept me working. I remember [Heupel] told the team: Brandon is going to be our starter, but Dillon is going to play the third drive. I was like, ‘F—.’ But who would I be to be mad about that when I still have my opportunity to go show what I can do?
Williams: He was definitely supposed to be our starter.
Gabriel: That first time you get out there, it’s like the oblivious kind of thought process. You really don’t know what to expect, so you’re just doing. That gave me some peace of mind. Just go play and learn. It allowed me to flourish. You learn throughout that time but, as a freshman, you’re a little more reckless.
Nixon: The freshman year Dillon I knew was more playing around and funny to be around and joking. When he got thrown to the wolves and now he has to start producing, you could see the transition in his maturity level.
Gabriel: The growing pains were real. I didn’t get the privilege to learn on a practice field. I learned in front of everyone. They had to see it all, and some of it was really good. I loved the experience because it’s made me such a different human being now.
But there is a lot that comes with it, a lot you don’t even think about. You have to manage it while being a college student and a kid and figuring out who you really want to be. How can you be authentic but be a leader and push and all this while being 18 years old?
One thing Gabriel didn’t have to worry about was having talent to throw to at UCF. Williams would become his go-to receiver with 119 completions for 1,715 yards and 15 TDs. But Gabriel was challenged early on by receiver Gabriel Davis, the future fourth-round pick now playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Gabriel: Gabe was like the big brother. He kind of teased me a little bit, poked fun at me, which I loved, too. He was a junior going to the pros and was so driven and you’d see the way he worked. He’d come up to me like, ‘Throw me the f—ing ball.’
Williams: Gabe used to go off on him. He’s like, ‘Man, please throw me the ball.’ It wasn’t nothing bad, but I get it. Gabe was trying to go to the league. So he’s like, ‘Man, make sure you throw me the ball.’ And Dillon was like, ‘Man, why is he like that?’
Gabriel: He was physical and fearless. He would point people out in one-on-ones like, ‘Get over here.’ Like nobody does that. He’s like, ‘I want you.’ Then he’d go kill you in a route and then give you the ball.
Williams: You got to watch how you talk. Dillon is an alpha, don’t get me wrong, but he’s from Hawai’i. It’s a little bit nicer out there. His freshman year, he used to be like, ‘Bro, relax, Gabe.’ And he’d hear, ‘Nah man, throw me the ball!’
Gabriel: But I respected it. And I look back at it like, man, I wish I could adopt that mentality sooner, you know? He’s a big part in my journey because of that.
Williams: I think that helped him as a player. He’ll be really prepared when he goes to the league. He won’t hear anything new, I’ll tell you that.
Gabriel: I love Gabe to death and how he opened my eyes up. I needed to be challenged at that age — by a friend, too, and not a coach.
Killins: That jump from Year 1 to Year 2 for Dillon, it was legit night and day with the way he carried himself more like a professional and the way he talked.
Williams: I think Dillon is a great leader because there were a lot of great leaders at UCF. You had to be a leader or somebody that took care of business to play. He got to learn it from a lot of guys, especially McKenzie.
McKenzie Milton was the one who persuaded Heupel to recruit Gabriel to UCF. He mentored Gabriel throughout his first two years before transferring to Florida State after the 2020 season.
Nixon: McKenzie is a one-of-a-kind person. To have him mentor you and let you know the ins and outs, what he sees on a play, I can only imagine how much that helped Dillon from a preparation standpoint and feeling more confident from day to day.
Gabriel: And did he have to? F— no. He didn’t have to do anything. But he went out of his way, and I love him for it. That’s my brother for life.
Killins: It was nothing but love between them. It was next man up, I’m passing the torch to you, let’s keep this thing going.
The first touchdown pass of Gabriel’s career was to Otis Anderson Jr., UCF’s versatile running back and receiver. He would connect with Anderson for two more scores that season. Gabriel also found a reliable target in tight end Jake Hescock, whom he’d throw five touchdowns to during his career. Tragedies later befell both teammates.
Anderson died on Nov. 29, 2021. The 23-year-old was fatally shot in the chest by his father during an argument. Otis Anderson Sr. pled guilty to armed manslaughter and was sentenced to 12½ years in prison.
Williams: We were in the group chat and Otis texted us the night of like, ‘Man, I’ll talk to y’all later.’ I went to sleep and, two hours later, he was gone.
Gabriel: He was just a great kid and a great dude. It’s like… you question it, right? Why certain people, when they literally do no wrong? Everyone loved Otis. You can ask anyone, and that’s even if he was still here on this Earth, they’d have not one bad thing to say about Otis, because he’s just amazing. He was a running back/receiver/returner, a great player in that way, but he was a great person and you just loved being around him. He made you feel better. He was quieter, so when he talked, you felt special.
🚨 DIME ALERT 🚨@_dillongabriel_👉 @Gumby_football
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) August 30, 2019
Williams: It’s the reason why I still play. I know one of my teammates was still playing, still chasing his dream.
A year later, the teammates lost Hescock. He died suddenly of cardiac arrest on Dec. 11, 2022, while jogging in Boston. He was 25.
Gabriel: God, this one hurts. When I left UCF, he’s a guy who’d reach out and call me. He was supposed to come out to an Oklahoma game and see us. He was a guy who’s always been supportive. I remember going over to his house for UFC fights. It’s just crazy, you know? He wasn’t the freakiest player. He was OK with not going to the league and enjoyed his college career. He was for the boys.
Nixon: Hescock was another guy who made football fun. Football’s a tough sport when you’re out there in that 90-degree weather with pads on, hitting all day, sweating, cramping up. Having guys on the team like Hescock, Otis and Dillon, those positive energies, it makes football fun and it makes it worth going through that struggle with your team.
Life is just so precious, man. I just wish I could go back and spend more time with them, hang out with them more, get to know them better. I know they’re in a better place now, and I just hope their families find some type of peace through these tough times.
Gabriel: He always tried to look out for me and make me feel supported as a young quarterback. It goes a long way. He went out of his way. That’s why it hurts, too. I love him and my heart goes out to his family, because he was just a good dude.
Williams: After that, we made it a point that if any of us are in town or we know we’re in the same area, we’ve got to hang out. It definitely made teammates a lot closer. Earlier today, me and [Killins] and a couple guys were in our group message reminiscing on the old times. We do that all the time, and I think it’s because of what happened. Of course we were always close, but that was that extra push to make sure, hey, y’all stay in touch with each other.
We still talk about them. It’s still tough sometimes, but I think it’s easier when you’ve got guys you can confide in and talk about it with.
Killins: They were so young. Life is just crazy, man. I still talk to both of their families, Otis’ mom and Jake’s mom.
Three games into his junior season, Gabriel suffered a season-ending fractured clavicle on the final play of a loss to Louisville. After focusing on his recovery for two months, he was ready for a fresh start and entered the transfer portal.
Years later, though, he wishes his three years at UCF had a different ending.
Gabriel: I was young, and I feel like they didn’t get to see the me that was more mature, more experienced, more knowledgeable about life and football. I just love that place. I had that special relationship with McKenzie and so many great coaches, so many great people. And then it was, like, anticlimactic. Like the finish was like a dot dot dot. You didn’t even get the ending, you know?
Nixon: Any teammate that’s been around Dillon can attest to this: The dude is just fun to be around. You want to play hard for him. He’s one of them guys who truly tries to get to know you on a personal level and cares about you as a person. I think nowadays that’s very rare. You can’t really tell what’s real and what’s fake anymore. But with Dillon, he’s been the same guy from the moment he was a freshman. He’s still the same guy and he’s leading Oregon, the undefeated No. 1 team in the nation.
Killins: Every time he got the chance, he’d say, ‘Love you bro.’ And I’m like, ‘Bro, I get it, I love you too.’ But that’s just Dillon. He’s going to show you that love, because that’s just who he is and that’s just the type of family background he comes from. That’s just Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel: There were ups and downs, ebbs and flows, but that place will forever mean so much to me. Because I grew up, you know? I grew up there. It was like the welcome-to-the-show moment. I gave my heart and everything for that place. I truly did.
Part 2: Oklahoma
Upon entering the transfer portal, it looked likely Gabriel would head to Ole Miss to reunite with Jeff Lebby, his former UCF offensive coordinator. When Lebby left for Oklahoma, Gabriel committed to UCLA. Thirty minutes before he boarded his flight to move to Los Angeles, Gabriel got a call from Lebby. Caleb Williams was leaving OU. Lebby needed him in Norman.
He arrived in January 2022 as the program embarked on a new era under first-time head coach Brent Venables following coach Lincoln Riley’s shocking decision to bolt for USC.
Gabriel: It was so last minute, literally down to the wire. But you kind of have that blind faith. I trusted in Leb and where that was going. I wasn’t really comfortable with the decision I’d made prior, so I did it. But it being so last minute, there was just so much everyone had to learn. We’re learning a whole new offense, kind of piecing together what we’re good at. We’re still finding our daily routine, how we’re going to practice. There was just so much we had to adjust to in Year 1.
Oklahoma WR Nic Anderson: In my first couple weeks there, he was in the weight room and I walked in, and there were some recruits around. I was like, ‘Are you visiting this place?’ He was like, ‘Nah, bro. I’m the quarterback. I’m Dillon.’ I was like, ‘Oh shoot! What’s good? Nice to meet you.’ I thought he was one of the recruits because he’s a little on the shorter side. I thought he was looking at the place, still in high school or something.
Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops: There was a lot of uncertainty in the air at this point, and we needed a quarterback, obviously. I remember my coach telling me, hey, we got somebody who has thrown for so many yards and touchdowns, that he’s a baller. I was really excited. Honestly, he couldn’t have been a better fit for that time and to ease everybody’s minds.
I had no idea what he was going to be like. And then he showed up and blew away all expectations.
Gabriel devoted a ton of extra time to throwing sessions with his pass catchers, even hosting a Dime Time retreat in the summer that became an annual tradition for Gabriel. Receivers remember them well: Lots of throwing in the indoor practice facility with Gabriel’s boom box blasting.
Stoops: When the coaches couldn’t be around us in the offseason, he was able to teach all of us receivers the routes, the signals and everything and kind of install it for us. He was really a perfect fit in terms of his confidence, his outgoingness to get to know new teammates, to be a leader, to establish himself in the locker room.
Gabriel: At our throwing sessions it would consistently be Drake, Jayden Gibson and Jalil Farooq.
Stoops: I’d try to be at every single one. Because, for one, Dillon’s just a jackass. For two, he’d bring his big boom box speaker.
Oklahoma TE Austin Stogner: He’d carry around that boom box speaker and blast that thing everywhere.
Stoops: He’d be playing all his weird EDM songs and he’d be dancing and all this s—. It just became just a very fun thing to be around.
Anderson: Any time there’s any type of music on, he’s busting a move. It might not be the best move, but he’s busting it. I don’t know if he’s still on it, but he had a UK rap stint that he was on. That was his thing. He always had that on repeat.
Stogner: He loved British rap. He thought he was one with the British culture because he listened to British rap.
Anderson: I’m not gonna lie, he introduced me to it and some of the songs were fire.
Stogner: It’s truly unreal, his music selection. He’s got an unlimited clip in there with different types of songs. He’s going to have a strong career in the DJ world if football doesn’t work out.
The roster was gutted by offseason attrition and the Sooners struggled through a 6-7 season, the program’s first losing season since 1998. It created intense scrutiny on Venables and his team following the program’s recent run of Big 12 titles.
Gabriel: It was a s—show for sure. But if you look at those games, it was a bunch of tight-score games that didn’t go our way. We just weren’t good in situations and details. I think we just learned from those moments as a team and got better.
Anderson: Off the field, Dillon is a goofy, charismatic guy. But as soon as he straps on that helmet, it’s like a whole new presence. I feel like that really helped us as a team mold together. He was coolheaded in tough situations. He was just somebody you could really rally behind.
Stoops: The mindset in the offseason was we’re going to bust our ass, we’re going to throw more, we’re going to meet more, we’re going to study last year’s tape and fix any mistakes going into this year. We wanted to have a really good rapport and an understanding of each other as quarterbacks and as receivers. And, I mean, it definitely showed going into that second year.
No moment was more memorable in Oklahoma’s 10-win 2023 season than the final minute against rival Texas in the Cotton Bowl. That’s when Gabriel orchestrated the first and only game-winning go-ahead drive of his career.
Stoops: That was one of my favorite moments of my entire time at Oklahoma. Because the year before that, we got beat 49-0. Texas came in the next year thinking that s— was sweet. And it wasn’t.
Stogner: The year after they got beat 49-0 by Texas, we’d do these situps with a medicine ball. We’d do 49 every single time, just about every session.
Stoops: When we were all on the sidelines and looking at each other, I don’t know why, but I had a crazy confidence. I’m looking at Dillon and he’s looking stoic as can be. I’m looking at Austin Stogner and he’s like, ‘Hey, we’ve been here before.’ All these OU-Texas games would end up like this.
Anderson: When you get in those tough situations in a game, you see how serious and passionate Dillon is. It just makes you want to fight a little extra harder, a little extra inch just for him.
Gabriel: In that game, crazy s— happens all the time.
After Texas took a 30-27 lead, Oklahoma’s offense took over with 1:17 left and no timeouts. Gabriel drove them 75 yards in five plays. After two quick completions, he scrambled and hit Stoops for a 28-yard gain into the red zone. He fired the game winner to Anderson in the back corner of the end zone.
Sooner Magic ✨#OUDNA | 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/g46vRAJngI
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 7, 2023
Anderson: We ran the same play on the first play of that drive. We ran it again and it just happened to pop open. If we’re being honest, it was bad communication on the defense. That’s why the motion was there, just to get some confusion back there and it worked perfectly. We had Walter Rouse, our left tackle, hold up two guys. And then Dillon, off his back foot, midair, throws it to the back corner last second.
Stoops: I’ve never been in an atmosphere like that. It absolutely erupted. You want to talk about a game-winning drive in the most crucial moment in one of the biggest games in all of college football? That man Dillon was as stoic as could be.
Gabriel: Nic’s the most elite receiver I’ve been around in terms of physical traits. I ain’t seen a guy built like him: size, speed, strength, hands, physicality, everything you want. I’m glad he caught that, because that’s a guy I’ll never forget.
Anderson: It was really special for me to do it with him. Coming in as a freshman, he always had kind words to say — especially when I was going through some of my injuries — and he was always picking my head up and making sure I knew my potential and what I could be.
Gabriel: We had a 10-2 season, and even that wasn’t really the standard, you know what I mean? We wanted to be in the Big 12 championship and go in the playoff, but we fell 8 points short.
Gabriel went into 2023 believing it would be his final college season. He had his best season yet, putting up 4,033 total yards and 42 touchdowns with just six interceptions to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. Despite that, draft feedback for the undersized gunslinger wasn’t favorable. He received a seventh round/undrafted grade and no Senior Bowl invite. He was devastated and had to rethink his plan, and an opportunity emerged with Oregon that he couldn’t turn down.
Gabriel: I thought I was going to go to the NFL. The transfer, of course, was different from what I thought was going to happen. But I was able to say goodbye to Leb and the coaches and the players this time.
Stogner: I think fans get it confused when a player leaves. They’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re not cheering for that guy.’ But guys on the team have personal relationships and want nothing but good things for him. It’s been awesome to see that he’s done so well, and it’s not a surprise for anyone who knows what Dillon is about.
Anderson: I was really lucky to play with a quarterback that experienced and that technical with his type of mindset early in my career. He set the bar really, really high.
Stoops: I’ve never really seen him have a bad day. He hates to lose more than anything, but you don’t see that guy have a bad day. People really gravitate towards that. You don’t meet a lot of people like that. It’s no wonder that everybody loves him. He’s just a light to everybody.
Stogner: It was a totally different locker room under him. The vibes are always high with DG.
Part 3: Oregon
Gabriel is continuing Marcus Mariota’s legacy of Hawaiian QBs in Eugene, but he didn’t come to chase records or awards. For all his achievements, he’d never played in a conference championship game or a playoff game. This year, he’s chasing rings.
The Ducks came up short in last year’s Pac-12 title game against Washington and watched the Huskies play for a national title. Oregon reloaded for 2024, replacing first-round pick Bo Nix with the most experienced QB who has ever entered the portal.
Gabriel: I just think a sixth year is so unique. Not a lot of people have done it. You’ve got to be around people you trust, people who understand. There are a lot of vets here. It’s probably the oldest team I’ve been on. They’re mature. They handle success well and they handle adversity well.
Oregon HC Dan Lanning: Everyone told me that he was zero frills. He just wanted to know about football, what the situation looks like and he cares about his family. That’s exactly what it was. It wasn’t going to be about what his locker looked like when he got here or the unbelievable facilities we have. None of that mattered to him. It’s who am I going to get to throw to? What are we going to be running? Will my family be able to get here to watch me play?
Oregon AD Rob Mullens: You feel like you’re talking to a 30-year-old. He’s just very mature, very articulate, high self-awareness. He’s mature and wise beyond his years. He’s got a high emotional intelligence. He gets it. He understands how teams work.
Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson: I was still kind of in between putting my name into the draft or coming back for my senior year, and honestly I was leaning more towards leaving. He called me when I was back home and gave me the recruiting spiel about why I should come back for one more year. Knowing that you have a guy like that is kind of a big part of why I came back.
He said he wanted to win something worth winning. That was the biggest thing. He wanted to win something special.
Gabriel just turned 24 over the weekend. He’s engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Zo Caswell, who made the move with him to the Pacific Northwest. And he’s driving a minivan, a white Chrysler Pacifica, around town. He preferred the gas mileage and extra seating for teammates.
Oregon WR Evan Stewart: He showed me the minivan first when he got it. That’s him. That’s just him. He’s a family guy. He said he wanted to have a minivan to be able to maneuver all his family around whenever they came for games. You can’t knock it.
Oregon WR Tez Johnson: It’s perfect for him. He’s a short guy. You see him in a minivan and you’re like, ‘Oh my god, there goes Dillon.’ Then he comes and pulls up, honks the horn, music blasting. He’s a different guy. He’s a different cat.
Ferguson: I end up driving it sometimes. He’s from Hawai’i and … he’s not the greatest driver. But I’ve spent a lot of time in the van. We’re neighbors, so we end up carpooling every once in a while.
He cares a lot about everybody on the team. It doesn’t matter if you’re a walk-on kicker or the starting receiver. He cares about that person and has good conversation with them. He won the whole team over by just being that guy, by being himself.
Johnson: He came in and accepted that our judgment was very, very hard on any quarterback that came in. You got to think, the year before, who our quarterback was. Coming in, to be able to separate yourself from who was there before, it’s a different feeling. I can only imagine what he thought. But we welcomed him in with open arms, but I told him, ‘You’re not a real Duck until you play your first game here.’ He was like, ‘Oh, I accept it.’ And from there, it’s been … skyrocket.
Johnson said they go into every game aiming to be the fastest and most explosive team in college football.
Gabriel: It’s probably the most dynamic receiver group I’ve had. At UCF, we had a lot of vertical speed. OU was size and speed outside, a little smaller and shifty inside. Over here, I feel like we have a dynamic group of guys that have their abilities and do different things and all bring something to the table. And then, ball in hand, they’re pretty special. You can throw it 5 yards and they’ll turn it into something big.
Johnson: It can turn into backyard football at times. You run around throwing the football like recess. But we also work on scramble drills. If Dillon scrambles one way, we know exactly what point to get to and what time we need to get to it and he hits it. That’s how he separates himself.
Gabriel: Tez is explosive fast. He’s long-speed fast. He can accelerate. He has stop-and-go ability. You can’t even talk about his size, because it’s never been an issue. He just plays ball. He’s elite in that way.
I love Evan. I’ve been trying to get that guy for years. I remember following him [on social media] when I first got to Oklahoma and he didn’t follow me back, because I thought he was going to leave [Texas A&M]. And then when he entered the portal and we had the chance to get him and he got on the visit, I was like, ‘Bro, I gotta play with you. This s— has been destined to happen, you know?’ He’s a great kid, top-notch.
We call Trae the wild child. But the reasons he has challenges are the same reasons you love him as a player. He ain’t scared to get dirty or get hit as a receiver.
Johnson: The receivers love him. It’s the chemistry that you have with him when you go out there. Before a play, he gives you that look like, ‘Hey, this ball is coming.’ Even if you drop a pass, he’s coming right back to you next play to get your confidence back up. It’s stuff like that you don’t take for granted that, as a quarterback, you need.
Gabriel has thrown touchdown passes to nine different Ducks this season. On Nov. 9, he broke Keenum’s NCAA record for total touchdowns (178) with a 3-yard touchdown pass against Maryland.
The receiver for that historic moment? Gernorris Wilson, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound backup offensive tackle.
Just like we all predicted…@_dillongabriel_‘s historic touchdown goes to none other than @WilsonGernorris 🔥#GoDucks x @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/F9uOcznydV
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 10, 2024
Wilson: Man, I ain’t think I was going to catch that right there. I thought that was over my head. But you got to call God. I called Him and He answered the prayers, so I got that job done.
Gabriel: That was hilarious. I’m just happy for him, because G-Baby is G-Baby, you know? We practiced it and we were like 50-50 probably between catches and drops. But there was never a doubt that G-Baby is going to be good on game day.
Wilson: It wasn’t just a moment for me. That was for the whole O-line, honestly. That was for every big man out there.
Gabriel has led Oregon on a 13-0 run and its first College Football Playoff appearance in a decade. In the biggest challenges of their season — against No. 2 Ohio State, in a road comeback at Wisconsin and in the Big Ten title game against No. 3 Penn State — he has delivered his best performances.
Lanning: This team believes in him. They’re grateful every day that they get to step on the field with him. He’s about connection and people first. But the poise that he shows in big games is unmeasured. I haven’t been around players like Dillon. I’m really grateful I get to share the field with him.
Johnson: Those big games, we still don’t know how in those big games he finds a way to separate himself. It’s something he got in his veins that we cannot pinpoint. No lights get too big for him.
Ferguson: I’ve watched his tape before at Oklahoma and UCF. He always shows up in big games. Just knowing him in the offseason and how much work he puts in, I already knew that’s what he was going to do. He rises to the competition. He’s going to play his best ball against the best teams.
Lanning: When the moment’s the biggest, that’s when Dillon is the most stoic and level-set for those moments. I think that’s when he’s calmest.
The teammates who know him best feel invested in the Ducks’ College Football Playoff run. They want to see Gabriel close out his six-year journey on top.
Williams: When he was a freshman and a sophomore, he would make certain mistakes and sometimes it would cost us. He was a young guy, he played really well, but we lost some close games because he wasn’t experienced. Seeing him play against Ohio State, it was like night and day. Nothing rattled him. He’d go in there and throw a touchdown and come right back to the sideline. It was like nothing bothers him now. I think he’s super locked in, and that’s really cool to see.
Stoops: I always make sure to watch Dillon when I can. I couldn’t be happier for him. Shoot, I hope they win the national championship. I’m going to be rooting for them and rooting for him especially.
Nixon: It just goes to show if you have faith and a work ethic and you have contagious energy like he does, man, you’ll be successful wherever you go. That’s a credit to the person he is, without a doubt.
Anderson: If there’s anybody that deserves a national championship, it’s definitely him. Because of all the work I’ve seen him put in and all the trials and tribulations that he’s gone through. I feel like they’re going to go all the way.
Gabriel was asked one final question at the end of an hourlong dive into his memory bank. He has thrown 153 touchdown passes in college. Which one is his favorite? Gabriel paused and pondered before grinning.
Gabriel: The next one.
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Rachel Doerrie
The 2025 NHL draft is taking place on Friday (Round 1) and Saturday (Rounds 2-7) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
This page will be your home for the entire event, as each pick is added below, including scouting notes and team fit analysis for the first-rounders.
More: Grades for all 32
Winners and losers
Prospect rankings
Needs for all 32 teams
Round 1
Team: Erie (OHL)
DOB: 09/05/2007 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 183 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 17 | G: 7 | A: 15 | P: 22
Scouting notes: Schaefer is projected to become a true No. 1 cornerstone for years to come. A dynamic presence at both ends of the ice, he skates with ease and elite mobility to shut down opponents in all situations, while creating offense with quality transition play.
Executives and scouts view him as a future elite NHL defenseman and a foundational piece for a championship-caliber roster. Schaefer’s ability to control play from the blue line, play tough matchups, and run a power play — combined with the belief in his character and leadership — result in many believing that Schaefer has the tools to become a top-10 defender in the league, while wearing a letter as part of a team’s leadership group.
How he fits: After trading Noah Dobson earlier in the day, the Islanders drafted their franchise cornerstone defender. Schaefer does everything well, and is a dynamic skater with elite mobility. He will take on the toughest matchups, help the Islanders exit the zone with smooth passes and carry outs, and drive offense from the back end. He’s a future No. 1 defenseman who will log 25-28 minutes per night and run the power play.
Schaefer’s ability to dictate play from the back end is franchise-changing for the Isles. Schaefer will attend development camp next week, and it is highly likely he starts the season in the NHL lineup. Don’t be surprised if Schaefer is running the power play and logging major minutes by November.
A very emotional Schaefer hugged his family and pulled on the Isles jersey for the first time, with a cancer patch. Through tears, he shared his excitement and emotion, and gained the hearts of a lot more than just Isles fans.
Team: Saginaw (OHL)
DOB: 02/16/2007 | Ht: 6-¾ | Wt: 184 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 65 | G: 62 | A: 72 | P: 134
Scouting notes: Granted exceptional status in the OHL in 2022, Misa delivered one of the most remarkable goal-scoring seasons in recent memory in 2024-25, netting 62 goals in just 65 games. He projects to be a top-line forward capable of consistently exceeding 90 points per season in the NHL.
Misa’s offensive instincts are elite. He processes the game at a high level and executes at top speed. Scouts believe he is NHL-ready and has the potential to become an elite top-line center. Away from the puck, Misa excels at finding soft areas in coverage and has a flair for delivering in clutch moments. His combination of high-end playmaking and goal-scoring ability makes him a constant dual threat in the offensive zone.
How he fits: The Sharks kept everyone guessing until the very last moment, but ultimately selected Misa. He is a special talent and adds a second elite two-way center to the organization. He projects as a first-line star, with dual-threat playmaking and scoring ability — notching 62 goals in 65 OHL games.
If Misa’s two-way game continues to improve, there’s a real chance the Sharks will have two centers capable of dominating play in all three zones with 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini already in place. On the power play, Misa can facilitate, be a shooting threat and carry the puck on entries. Because of his dual-threat capabilities, he can play the bumper, the flank or down low. With this selection, the Sharks have the potential to feature the best one-two punch down the middle for years to come.
Team: Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2)
DOB: 05/07/2007 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 198 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 29 | G: 11 | A: 14 | P: 25
Scouting notes: Frondell is a versatile two-way forward that plays both center and right wing. His flexibility is attractive to teams, although many believe he is most likely to reach his potential as a winger in the NHL.
Frondell is coming off one of the most productive seasons by an under-18 player in Allsvenskan history, giving him a confident projection as a first-line NHL forward. He’s a cerebral player, who picks apart defenders in one-on-one situations and defensive coverage in offensive zone play. The details of Frondell’s game are translatable, including excellent forechecking ability, willingness to attack the middle of the ice and high-end anticipation on both sides of the puck.
He has shown play-driving capabilities against men in the Allsvenskan, which has translated to the NHL for other prospects in the past. He’s projected to produce between 75-85 points per season. His style of play translates well and has executives excited about his ability to step in the league in the next 18 months.
How he fits: It was no secret that Chicago wanted to add some size up front, and Frondell is exactly that. He can play center or the wing, and brings an excellent two-way game. He confidently projects as a first-line forward that beats defenders one-on-one, drives play on both ends of the ice, and should score nearly a point per game.
He plays on the inside of the ice and has the ability to score 30-plus goals in the NHL because of his excellent shot. Frondell is a year away from playing in the NHL, and probably two or three from hitting his potential as a top-line forward who drives play. Chicago can play him behind Connor Bedard up the middle, or on Bedard’s line to capitalize on the versatility he brings.
Team: Moncton (QMJHL)
DOB: 04/11/2007 | Ht: 6-1½ | Wt: 178 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 56 | G: 35 | A: 49 | P: 84
Scouting notes: Described as a “coach’s dream” because of his ability to take an offensive or checking assignment and execute consistently. He makes smart, simple plays, provides a physical presence on the forecheck and generally agitates and makes life difficult on defenders.
He projects to be a quality second-line center with a decent chance of becoming a first-line player. He’s cerebral, with quick hands and playmaking ability. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistently effective and makes intelligent plays with the puck. As one scouting director described “he’s the type of player you win with.” Some have quietly compared him to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews, who are lofty comparisons, to say the very least.
How he fits: The Mammoth kept everyone guessing: Would they trade or keep the pick? Ultimately, they kept the pick and selected Desnoyers. He can play in any situation as one of the best two-way players available. He’s a serial winner who plays whatever style of game required to win. If he needs to produce offense, he does. If he needs to shut down the opponent’s best, he does that too.
Utah needed some size and two-way capability to mesh with Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther, and Desnoyers is exactly that. He’ll be NHL-ready a lot sooner than people think because his professional details are top-notch. He projects as a play-driving, two-way, second line center that the Mammoth will turn to in key situations. As noted above, there’s a lot of Jonathan Toews in Desnoyers’ game, which will excite Mammoth fans, management and coaches.
Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
DOB: 03/16/2007 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 178 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 57 | G: 33 | A: 39 | P: 72
Scouting notes: A Swiss Army knife type of player who will be most effective on the wing because of his strong wall play, Martin projects as a middle-six forward capable of scoring 20 goals routinely, with upside as a second-line forward.
He’s a wrecking ball that will bring value in all three zones, on and off the puck. Martin has scouts raving about him after an excellent performance at the IIHF under-18 championship, with many opining that he could go very early in the first round. He’s a workhorse without an off switch, who brings a blend of physicality and hard skill. He’s a nightmare to contain with his brute strength, and forces defenders into precarious positions with good speed and willingness to make “winning” plays.
Several teams mentioned how impressive Martin was during interviews at the combine. Combine an attractive personality with the hard-nosed style, and it forms a rare combination that is valuable to many scouts who believe he’s the type of player teams need to win in the playoffs. Surely, his mention of Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett as a role model grabbed attention.
How he fits: Another pick that was rumored to be on the move, the Predators kept it and selected Martin. Martin is a raw player with functional strength and projects to be a middle-six forward. He will shine as the games get tighter and more physical, and can swing momentum with a brilliant forecheck or big hit.
The hard-nosed style of game was very attractive to many teams, especially with Bennett and the Panthers’ recent success. Martin needs at least another season or two to develop his offensive game, and while the Predators did leave some skill with James Hagens and Porter Martone on the board, they believe Martin can be an impactful player for years to come.
Team: Brampton (OHL)
DOB: 10/26/2006 | Ht: 6-2¾ | Wt: 208 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 57 | G: 37 | A: 61 | P: 98
Scouting notes: A big, cerebral forward, Martone is a dual-threat offensive player with ability to score on his own and facilitate. He projects to be a second-line scoring winger who should see top power-play minutes.
His competitive nature will make him an effective agitator as he learns to physically impose himself on opponents. He needs to hone the competitiveness and physicality to increase its effectiveness, but he is exactly the type of player teams covet because of the unique combination of offensive talent and competitive fire.
His unique combination of scoring ability, size and hard skill make him a very attractive prospect. While his most confident projection is as a top-six forward, Martone has a legitimate chance to become a top-line winger if his skating improves.
How he fits: The Flyers got a lot bigger and better with Porter Martone. Considered the smartest player in the draft by scouts, Martone is a dual-threat offensive player with excellent playmaking and shooting ability. There is an aura of competitiveness and physicality that will develop and will undoubtedly make him a fan favorite in Philly.
Martone projects to be a scoring winger who will be tough to handle as he develops his power forward game. The Flyers have some elite young players, and Martone has a big frame with elite talent, and can create offense and make special plays happen. He needs a year or two to improve his skating to fully unlock his potential as a top-six scorer, but Rick Tocchet is going to love this player.
2:00
Charles Barkley announces Porter Martone as No. 6 pick in NHL draft
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley helps the Flyers select Porter Martone with the sixth pick of the NHL draft.
Team: Boston College (H-EAST)
DOB: 11/03/2006 | Ht: 5-10½ | Wt: 177 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 37 | G: 11 | A: 26 | P: 37
Scouting notes: Hagens is projected to be a top-line center, or one of the NHL’s best second-line centers. He lacks the dynamism of Misa, opting for a highly cerebral and efficient play style. He brings a good work rate with excellent speed and passing ability that should see him effectively drive play at the NHL level. Scouts and executives are impressed with the professional details of his game (puck support, winning battles, defensive puck play), and they believe it will ease the transition to the NHL while he finds his offensive gear.
Another season at Boston College to further develop a more a dynamic offensive gear to become a top-line NHL center — the one that had scouts impressed during his NTDP season (with 102 points) — could be the remedy. After playing on one of college hockey’s top lines with Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), Hagens would now be relied upon to drive his own line, create offense through his own playmaking and play a significant matchup role.
Hagens has the potential to be the complete package in the NHL. His understanding of spacing and ability to anticipate stands out among his peers. He’s smaller and slighter than other prospects, which worries some teams, but there’s a mix of Clayton Keller and Jack Hughes in him in terms of transition play and creativity.
How he fits: The organization starved for centers lucks out as Hagens falls to No. 7. He’s a highly cerebral player, with a nonstop motor, excellent speed and playmaking ability. There is little doubt he will be a play driver at the NHL level. His professional details are already top-notch with puck support, battle success, and strong defensive play.
Another year up the road at Boston College will mean Bruins fans won’t have to go far to watch their prized prospect. Hagens will step into the Bruins’ lineup as their first-line center when he is ready, and David Pastrnak will love that. Hagens has one of the highest ceilings in the draft, especially if his offense continues to develop. Bruins fans should be extremely excited to have their center of the future because he should not have been available at this point.
1:48
Adam Sandler announces Bruins pick at NHL draft
Adam Sandler gives a nod to his famous “Happy Gilmore” character to announce the Bruins picking Boston College’s James Hagens with the seventh pick.
Team: Brantford (OHL)
DOB: 06/16/2007 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 172 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 66 | G: 32 | A: 66 | P: 98
Scouting notes: Deceptive and incredibly smooth, O’Brien projects to be a point-producing, top-six center with a chance to become a top-line center. The right-handed pivot is one of the best playmakers in the draft, creating high-danger chances with regularity; for my money, he is the best pure creator in the draft.
He consistently manipulates defenders, distributes the puck on the forehand and backhand and uses fakes that send turn defenders and goalies into pretzels. The development will come from simplifying offensive plays to eliminate turnovers caused by holding the puck for too long.
O’Brien’s shot is going to be a necessary development area if his passing is to be an elite threat in the NHL. There is risk here, because he’s slighter than other players available at the center position, but he has room to fill out over the next few years. O’Brien’s elite playmaking skills will be that much more valuable if he can add a speed gear and increase his shooting threat.
How he fits: The Kraken are collecting centers like infinity stones, but O’Brien’s ceiling was too good to pass on at No. 8. O’Brien sees the ice extraordinarily well, has elite playmaking ability and will certainly help facilitate offense. Matty Beniers and Shane Wright play a two-way game, while O’Brien and Berkly Catton can drive offense.
The Kraken are now loaded up the middle, and can easily move one or two players to the wing to round out their top six. O’Brien needs a couple of years to physically mature and improve his shot to become a dual-threat offensive player. As it is, he is more than capable of quarterbacking a power play and facilitating offense. There is no need for the Kraken to rush him, and allowing him to further develop his elite playmaking skills might improve his projection to a first-line forward who tallies a point per game in the NHL.
Team: Seattle (WHL)
DOB: 06/09/2007 | Ht: 6-5¾ | Wt: 207 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 43 | G: 3 | A: 32 | P: 35
Scouting notes: A 6-6, right-handed defenseman with decent mobility who plays in all situations has scouts very excited. He’s very difficult to get around, routinely thwarting attackers in their tracks and killing plays. He projects as a top-four, shutdown defenseman because of his excellent stick work, mobility and transition defense. Mrtka uses his mobility to escape pressure, activate in the rush and make quality passes to the middle of the ice.
Mrtka should develop into a strong transition defender, a reliable penalty killer and efficient puck mover. He shoots the puck hard and could become more of a scoring threat if he can pick his spots to get pucks through. While everything flowed through him in Seattle, there are well-placed concerns about his lack of offense.
His size and physicality give him the tools to develop into a minute-munching, shutdown defender if his mobility continues to progress. His late birthday gives him lots of development runway to refine his skating, offensive playmaking, and physicality in all areas of the ice.
How he fits: A big, right-handed defenseman who plays a hard game, Mrtka is at least two or three years away from playing in the NHL. The Sabres have certainly been lacking players who play a hard game, and Mrtka provides that. He is a mobile skater with good puck-moving ability and projects as a shutdown defenseman at the NHL level. Mrtka’s ability to defend in transition, force attackers to the outside and kill plays is attractive.
Mrtka has a late birthday and his development runway is longer than others, giving him time to improve his playmaking, pick his spots physically and become an effective shutdown defender. There was some belief the Sabres would take a forward, and this pick raised some eyebrows, but the Sabres felt they needed a defender like Mrtka to complement Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Team: Brandon (WHL)
DOB: 10/02/2006 | Ht: 6-5¼ | Wt: 197 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 17 | G: 10 | A: 10 | P: 20
Scouting notes: Described as “a unicorn” because he’s a 6-5 center who skates with the speed and mobility that you would expect from a smaller player, McQueen a hot topic all season. He profiles as a prototypical modern-day power forward who blends soft skill with physicality. Elite right-handed centers are rare in the NHL, and McQueen’s size and willingness to physically dictate play adds undeniable value. He has professional defensive habits that are translatable to the NHL, and unique offensive upside that is still developing given the loss of playing time due to a back injury during his draft season.
McQueen dominates the cycle game, creates offense on the rush and uses his physical gifts to dominate the cycle and protect pucks. His projection as an elite top-line center lacks confidence, due to lack of playing time from his back injury. Without the injury, we might be discussing McQueen near the top of this draft class because his package of skating, skill and physical gifts are rare, and the type of toolbox of which executives dream.
He is a textbook case of high-risk, high-reward player; however, his performance at the scouting combine went along to proving his back injury had healed completely. Playing against tougher competition, where McQueen will be forced to develop his ability to protect himself, the puck control and ability to create offense against bigger bodies will be important. If developed without setback, he could become a two-way force in the NHL for years to come.
How he fits: The Ducks swung the bat, and are hoping McQueen is a home run for them at No. 10. Had it not been for injury, there’s a very real chance that McQueen gets taken in the top five. McQueen moves with the speed and agility of a much smaller player. He can dictate play physically, drive play at both ends of the ice and possesses unique offensive upside.
Anaheim has some high-end forwards — and McQueen likely has the highest upside of them all. He can dominate off the rush, on the cycle, and at the net front. The combination of McQueen’s physical gifts, skill and skating make him an easily projectable power forward who changes the course of games. If he can remain healthy, get stronger and improve his puck-protection skills, the Ducks have a special player.
Patience will be key as McQueen needs a few years to develop his skill set, but if he hits his ceiling, he’s going to be a dominant two-way force in the NHL.
Team: Calgary (WHL)
DOB: 04/19/2007 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 176 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 65 | G: 35 | A: 64 | P: 99
Scouting notes: Kindel is a scoring machine. Following a 60-point rookie campaign in the WHL in 2023-24, he vaulted into elite status this season, finishing seventh in overall scoring, and was excellent at even strength.
Though undersized, Kindel blends pace, vision and quality instincts, and he projects to be a middle-six winger with two-way ability. Kindel’s motor is relentless, which makes up for his lack of speed, and enables him to weave through traffic and execute give-and-go’s with ease. A dual-threat attacker, he pairs an accurate shot with dangerous passing ability. His elite hockey sense allows him to consistently outsmart opponents and set teammates up with creative plays in dangerous areas with time and space, while playing positionally sound hockey off the puck.
Defensively and on the forecheck, Kindel leverages his intelligence, anticipation and effort to win battles despite size disadvantages. He’ll need to refine and improve his skating posture and puck control, while adding another speed gear to succeed in the NHL.
While the potential exists for Kindel to a top-six NHL player, he is more likely to find himself in the middle-six as a complementary piece.
How he fits: Kindel is a facilitator of offense, a brilliant playmaker and somewhat of a surprise at No. 11. Kindel brings high-end hockey sense to identify opportunities to set up teammates in space. He’s undersized, but his package of speed, playmaking and relentless motor should translate well to the NHL.
Kindel’s ceiling is a second-line center who facilitates for his teammates and drives play. If he doesn’t, he’s likely to be a middle-six, secondary producer who plays on the second power-play unit. The Penguins need players who are cerebral, skate well and drive offense — and are certainly swinging on Kindel’s ceiling. If he grows an inch or two as he develops over the next two years, the comparable to Brayden Point is a good one given the similarities in skating, cerebral play, and driving play at that size.
Team: Windsor (OHL)
DOB: 01/12/2007 | Ht: 6-4¼ | Wt: 185 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 65 | G: 25 | A: 39 | P: 64
Scouting notes: Nesbitt is an intelligent, two-way center whose game is rooted in competitiveness, defensive reliability, and off-puck hockey IQ. He excels defensively by using his 6-4 frame to break up plays with physical engagement and smart stick positioning to pick off pucks. His hockey sense consistently places him in strong positions in all three zones, allowing him to create turnovers and execute quick passes to create dangerous chances off those turnovers.
His offensive upside hinges on his skating, which is a concern. His stiff skating stride and lack of demonstrated flexibility at the combine might limit how much he can improve. Despite flashes of skill, he struggles to maneuver past defenders, and his inconsistent puck handling under pressure often disrupts his playmaking.
Nesbitt showed improvement throughout the season, leveraging his size offensively and initiating more contact more consistently. If these improvements continue, and he’s able to improve his skating stride, he projects confidently as a dependable middle-six center who can anchor a defensive line and support skilled players higher up the lineup.
How he fits: The Flyers traded with their state rival the Penguins to select Nesbitt. He’s a high-floor player who probably tops out as a third-line center. At his height, he has been described as a “hard to play against” center who plays a throwback game, which fits with the style the Flyers want to play.
There were a lot of rumors this week that Nesbitt would get taken early because of his positional value, blend of size, hard skill and hockey sense. A very intelligent player who executes quality passes, he plays a reliable game. His skating stride will be the ultimate determining factor in his NHL ceiling. If he adds mobility and an extra gear, there’s more offense to unlock, but the focus will be his ability to check. He needs two or three years to develop, but Nesbitt had one of the most confident, low-volatility projections in the draft class as a third-line center.
Team: Everett (WHL)
DOB: 11/04/2006 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 179 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 56 | G: 40 | A: 42 | P: 82
Scouting notes: Bear is the type of player that a team looking for high-end instincts and playmaking covet. Before a season-ending injury in March, Bear was one of the CHL’s most dangerous offensive players and a reliable defensive forward. He’s versatile, in that he plays center and the wing, and projects as a 65- to 75-point, second-line player, most likely on the wing.
He’s a quality playmaker using different passes to create advantages in dangerous areas. His ability to manipulate defenders and create space for teammates while pulling coverage towards him should translate well in the NHL. He’s got good hands in tight spaces, which make him a threat around the net, and is one of the best offensive facilitators in the draft class.
On top of his offensive gifts, Bear’s defensive play makes him a quality two-way player. His stick positioning allows him to disrupt passes, and he’s a tenacious forechecker who tracks well on the backcheck and finishes hits. His skating posture needs to be more upright to allow him to develop a more explosive stride to take advantage of his offensive skills in transition, but the instincts and execution of plays already exist.
Bear is a good mix of soft and hard skill with projectable traits on both sides of the puck, and he is the type of player who should thrive in a matchup role while contributing offensively.
How he fits: There’s a lot to like about how Bear plays the game, and I’m a believer that there is more offense to give. He has elite hockey sense that he relies on to impact the game on both ends of the ice. A projection as a second-line, two-way player who scores close to 75 points per season should be very exciting for Red Wings fans.
His playmaking ability makes up for a lack of speed, and should fit nicely into what the Red Wings have up front. He’s a unique blend of soft and hard skill that will be reliable in all situations. He can win puck battles, get under the skin of opponents and make a difference in all areas of the ice. He’ll need two or three years to improve his skating and fill out physically, but when he’s ready, he’ll slide right into the Wings’ middle six as an impactful player.
Team: Tri-City (WHL)
DOB: 05/13/2007 | Ht: 6-3¼ | Wt: 195 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 68 | G: 11 | A: 43 | P: 54
Scouting notes: Smith is a big, physical defenseman with untapped offensive ability. He possesses all the qualities of a top-four matchup guy. He defends the rush well, closes gaps and steers the play in transition, making him one of the best neutral-zone, transition defenders in the class. Given the importance of transition defense in a matchup role, Smith has a real chance to the guy coaches rely upon to play heavy minutes against the best players.
His blend of skating, size and poise with an offensive game that progressed positively as the season wore on makes me a believer that there is more to give, and playing at Penn State next season should help it along.
Smith stands 6-3, and executives love the simplicity of his game, reading pressure, disrupting plays and making effective passes to exit the zone. He lacks explosive skating, and the consistent creativity required to be a quality offensive contributor at the NHL level, but his reads are there to be a plus transition player and join the rush as a support player.
Smith’s development from here will be about using his excellent mobility to prevent rush offense and becoming a more consistent offensive threat with better puck management. If Smith can drive play on both sides of the puck in transition and become a power-play threat, there’s a real chance he becomes a No. 2 defender at the NHL level.
How he fits: The Blue Jackets tugged on everyone’s heartstrings by having Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of the late Johnny Gaudreau, select Smith. The Penn State commit has untapped offensive potential to blend with his package of physicality, size and skating. He’s poised with the puck, makes quality breakout passes and influences the play. Defensively, he’s excellent in transition, closing gaps and forcing players to the perimeter.
The Blue Jackets needed a defenseman, and getting Smith outside the top 12 is great value. He should reliably play a matchup role on the second pair, and has the potential to play in a No. 2 role. Smith’s development will be about leveraging his mobility to improve his offensive game, and become a more consistent threat with the puck in the offensive zone.
2:50
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife announces the Blue Jackets’ draft pick
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, joins the NHL draft to announce the Blue Jackets selecting Jackson Smith with the 14th pick.
Team: Seattle (WHL)
DOB: 02/09/2007 | Ht: 5-11¼ | Wt: 183 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 60 | G: 26 | A: 37 | P: 63
Scouting notes: Cootes lacks explosive offense, but with some development of his shooting mechanics, he could become a 60-point, two-way center. Scouts love how consistently he moves his feet throughout his shifts, his drive to play through the middle of the ice and his ability to create advantages for himself with his skating and compete level.
His ability to create space for his teammates and move the puck to advantageous areas of the ice is highly translatable. He’s proactive with his contact, moves the puck to the middle of the ice and is reliable on both sides of the puck, in every area of the ice.
A strong skater and leader, his floor is likely a third-line checking center, but there’s potential for him to become a two-way, second-line center.
How he fits: The Canucks need centers, as president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has stated numerous times this offseason. It was thought the Canucks might select the falling Viktor Eklund, but instead they addressed an organizational need by drafting Cootes.
He’s an-all situations player who can comfortably play a middle-six role, with a floor as a high-energy, third-line center. He’s a quality two-way player with a nonstop motor. The Canucks love his compete level, his willingness to drive the middle of the ice and a tenacious quality to his game.
Cootes has the ability to create space for his teammates, be reliable on both ends of the ice and outskate opponents. There is reason to believe he will develop more offensively. If he does, there’s a chance he becomes a second-line, play-driving center.
Team: Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2)
DOB: 10/03/2006 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 161 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 42 | G: 19 | A: 12 | P: 31
Scouting notes: Eklund projects as a top-six forward with a good chance of becoming a top-line contributor. Despite concerns about his size, Eklund’s style of play is very translatable to the NHL. He plays a lot bigger than his measurements suggest, and there is room to add strength. Should he grow, which has happened to other prospects in the past, Eklund’s projection becomes more confident as a 70-point producer with a high-end motor and excellent forechecking capability.
Eklund is excellent in transition and attacks defenders with speed and fearlessness, darting to the inside, and positioning his body to win or protect pucks. His smaller size has forced him to learn how to protect the puck with excellent body positioning. If he develops a bigger, stronger frame, those skills will make him even more difficult to defend in the offensive zone.
His off-puck play is mature, and will quickly earn the trust of NHL coaches. Eklund has the potential to be a difference-maker in a second-line role, and his blend of hard-nosed play with soft skill should translate more seamlessly than other players.
How he fits: With their second pick in the first round, the Isles got tremendous value by selecting Eklund. He plays bigger than his frame with excellent forechecking, hard skill and puck-protection skills. He uses above-average speed to attack the middle of the ice, creating offense in transition and below the circles.
Eklund has a motor without an off switch, and competitive fire to burn. The combination of hard-nosed play and soft skill should allow Eklund’s game to translate seamlessly to the NHL. He should fill out physically, and there is a real chance he becomes a difference maker in the top six on the wing. The ceiling for Eklund is higher than any other player who was available in this spot, and he might be ready sooner than some expect. Isles fans should be extremely excited with this pick.
Team: Barrie (OHL)
DOB: 09/21/2006 | Ht: 6-1½ | Wt: 196 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 64 | G: 26 | A: 33 | P: 59
Scouting notes: His projection as a No. 4/5 defender sees him below other players with higher upside. Aitcheson plays with all kinds of truculence and aggression, while possessing an aura of confidence on and off the puck. He’s got all the makings of being a complete menace who plays tough minutes as a No. 4 defender.
Whether it is a preseason game or the playoffs, Aitcheson plays the same rough style, and is unafraid of lowering the boom on opponents. He needs to pick his spots better to avoid unnecessary penalties, but he’s the type of player that requires opponents to be aware when he’s on the ice. Scouts see him as hard-nosed, two-way defender with significant bite who can be a momentum-shifter with his physical presence.
He needs development time, as his skating and playmaking are very raw, but the competitive attributes and his development curve this season are very promising. Aitcheson’s offensive involvement developed as the season progressed, rotating with his teammates, diving down towards the high-danger area and becoming more dangerous with open ice.
He’s likely two or three years away from being ready to step in. But when he does, he’s exactly the type of defender every coach and GM want on their team.
How he fits: With their third selection of the first round, the Islanders selected a lot of nastiness in Aitcheson. One of the meanest, aggressive defensemen in the draft, Aitcheson is going to be a nightmare to play against. He’s very raw, and has untapped offensive potential. The competitive attributes make Aitcheson’s playstyle a throwback, and he is likely to become a fan favorite on the island. He can change a game’s momentum with a big hit, but also showed the ability to contribute offensively as the season progressed.
His skating and playmaking are the biggest areas of development, but even if he doesn’t find more than 30 points at the NHL level, Aitcheson is the type of defenseman with whom you win a lot of games. He makes life difficult for opponents, defends his teammates, sacrifices his body to win and is relentless in puck battles. At his ceiling, Aitcheson could become a second-pairing matchup defender who makes forwards think twice before engaging in a puck battle or cutting across the blue line with their head down.
Team: Victoria (WHL)
DOB: 04/06/2007 | Ht: 5-10½ | Wt: 183 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 62 | G: 26 | A: 66 | P: 92
Scouting notes: The two-way center brings an excellent mix of hockey sense, playmaking and creativity to be a middle-six contributor capable of consistently producing 60 points. He lacks elite skating, but his combine results raised eyebrows — tying Frondell for tops in VO2 max. While that isn’t indictive of NHL success, it shows a particular dedication to conditioning, and those in NHL circles pay attention to those results.
Reschny is smaller, and relies on his cerebral approach and excellent passing abilities to create advantage all over the ice. He processes the game better than many in the draft class, allowing him to manage pressure and put himself in better puck-protection positions.
Defensively, Reschny’s instincts result in positionally sound play, regularly playing above the puck, disrupting passes, and communicating assignment switches. He’s got the potential to be a great two-way complementary center that creates offense without separating speed. His reads will almost surely see him play a penalty-killing role and someone who is relied upon when his team is holding a lead.
How he fits: The Flames needed a center and they got their guy, drafting Reschny. He is a quality two-way center with creative playmaking abilities and high-end hockey sense. He picks apart defensive coverage with those abilities, consistently putting his team in dangerous areas to score. Off the puck, he’s positionally sound, reliable defensively and he should be a secondary penalty killer.
Reschny’s speed will need to develop, but his ability to process the game better than most players will help him be in the right spots, identify scoring opportunities and drive play. He’ll need two years in the NCAA before he’s ready, but when he is, he’s likely to slot in to a middle-six role and provide value on both ends of the ice.
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
DOB: 11/25/2006 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 191 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 62 | G: 46 | A: 43 | P: 89
Scouting notes: Carbonneau possesses an offensive toolbox that teams covet, including powerful skating and eye-popping creativity. He projects as a second-line scoring forward with significant variance and is likely to end up as a middle-six player who thrives against secondary matchups. Carbonneau can drive offense with his playmaking and shooting ability and plays a well-rounded offensive game that includes playing through contact, excellent puckhandling skills and above-average skating.
As is the case with any player who possess incredible upside, there is inherent risk. He has a physically mature body, and will need to adjust to the speed of the professional game. He thrives when given time and space, and his growth will come from learning to simplify his offensive play and make better decisions with the puck. There are tools to become a very effective power forward in the NHL who can score 25 goals if he adds a cerebral component to his game.
How he fits: Carbonneau is a high-upside, dual-threat player who drives the middle of the ice and has an excellent shot. Off the puck, he finds quiet areas on the inside of the ice and takes advantage of scoring opportunities. Carbonneau has the size and physicality to become a power forward in the NHL, and should fit nicely on the second line and first power-play unit.
He’s a raw player who will need to develop his skating to take advantage of his offensive toolbox, but the upside is very high. Carbonneau’s blend of size, fearless play, creativity and elite shooting ability bode well for his NHL projection. If the Blues are patient, Carbonneau should become a quality power forward in three to four years.
Team: CSKA Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
DOB: 01/22/2007 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 207 | Catches: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 37 | Mins: 2,195 | GAA: 1.75 | SV%: 0.942 | SO: 3
How he fits: With their second pick of the night, the Blue Jackets raised a lot of eyebrows selecting Andreyanov. Many had expected them to take a second defenseman, but they identified the Russian goalie as their guy.
He’s athletic, and plays an aggressive style, cutting angles down and making life difficult for shooters. He’s a battler, fighting through screens, managing his movements with traffic at the net front, and freezing the puck without sacrificing position. His rebound control needs to improve, but the Blue Jackets like his toolbox and his ability to come up with key saves at critical times.
He could be a reliable NHL backup, with some potential to become a 1B tandem goaltender if his rebound control improves. This is a big bet in the first round, one that the Blue Jackets hope pays off.
Team: Kitchener (OHL)
DOB: 04/08/2007 | Ht: 5-11¾ | Wt: 193 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 67 | G: 14 | A: 40 | P: 54
Scouting notes: There’s a lot to love about Reid’s game — and a lot of varying opinions. Some scouts see him as a top-15 value, others see him as a mid-20s value, and it all hinges on their belief in his offensive game. Reid is a play driver from the back end with excellent puck-moving skills and excellent skating. He flashes high-end offensive ability in the form of setups and moving to find and create passing lanes to high-danger areas; however, his shot will need to become more of a threat to avoid his distribution being neutralized in the NHL.
In transition, he’s one of the best on both sides of the ice. His smooth puck retrievals — where he constantly shoulder checks and scans to avoid pressure — led to efficient breakouts. When under duress, he uses elite edgework to escape and shake pressure, following with a quick outlet pass to beat the forecheck.
The consensus belief is that he’s a middle-pairing, transition defender who can turn into a bona fide No. 3 if he develops his offense and grows an inch or two; currently he’s listed at 5-11.
How he fits: Nashville traded up to get Reid, and he’s going to be a stalwart on the blue line. An excellent transition defenseman, Reid makes a quality first pass, and has the potential to drive offense from the back end. Reid’s terrific skating ability allows him to escape forecheckers and join the rush. Defensively, Reid has good gap control, uses his skating to close attackers early and match speed to limit dangerous chances.
He’s going to be a high-end transition defender who could become a 50-plus point producer if his offensive development continues. His elite skating ability allows him to be patient, not get caught doing too much and he’s rarely out of position. He’s two or three years away from making an impact at the NHL level, but when he does, he’ll be a quality second-pairing defender on both ends of the ice.
Team: Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
DOB: 10/03/2006 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 187 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 64 | G: 28 | A: 55 | P: 83
Scouting notes: Zonnon is a relentless and detail-oriented two-way forward who has carved out a reputation as one of the CHL’s hardest-working players. With an 83-point breakout campaign in his first full-time season at center, Zonnon combined a high-end motor, raw but effective playmaking and relentless puck pursuit that allowed him to be a play driver in all three zones. He excels on the forecheck, pressuring defenders into rushed decisions, winning battles and moving pucks to teammates in scoring areas.
Offensively, he makes good reads under pressure, threading pucks through tight lanes and consistently puts his team in advantageous positions. His ability to support defensively, facilitate transitions and physically impose himself makes him ideal the type of forward who teams want in the playoffs.
His skating remains a limiting factor, and he’ll need to improve his agility and posture to reach his offensive ceiling. If Zonnon can refine his stride and continue to develop his playmaking, he projects as a middle-six driver who blends tenacity and has the makings of a valuable third-liner whom playoff teams covet.
How he fits: With their second selection of the first round, the Penguins selected Zonnon, a high-energy, relentless winger. He has elite details, supports the puck, wins puck battles, forces turnovers on the forecheck and finds his teammates in space. Zonnon makes sound decisions with the puck under pressure, facilitates offense and is reliable defensively. His nonstop motor and willingness to get to the hard areas of the ice should help him score at the net front, win pucks back to extend offensive zone time and make life easier for his linemates.
His skating will determine where in the lineup he plays, but his floor as a bottom-six competitive forward who can penalty kill and forecheck is a confident one. If Zonnon’s skating improves over the next two to three years, he should be able to drive play in a middle-six role with tenacity and reliability.
Team: Wisconsin (BIG10)
DOB: 10/14/2006 | Ht: 6-2¼ | Wt: 192 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 32 | G: 2 | A: 10 | P: 12
Scouting notes: The 6-2 defender projects to become a second-pair blueliner that excels in transition. He is one of the best neutral-zone defenders and puck movers in the draft, who steadily improved as a true freshman in the NCAA. His puck retrievals, breakout passes and offensive-zone passes consistently put his team in more advantageous attacking positions. Being a right-handed defender with excellent mobility and an easily translatable game makes Hensler a very attractive prospect in this class.
The are concerns among NHL scouts related to Hensler’s offensive abilities and how he might fare in the NHL. However, Hensler showed flashes in the back half of the NCAA season, drawing defenders in and making slick plays for high-danger scoring opportunities. He’s unlikely to become a 60-point defender, but 35-45 points as a steady transition defender who plays a shutdown role seems to be the appropriate projection.
His NHL-ready frame is a plus, and will only improve throughout his collegiate career, which is likely to be another two seasons.
How he fits: The Sens extracted tremendous value by getting Hensler at No. 23. As one of the younger players in college hockey last season, Hensler became an impactful player once he adjusted to that level. His skating and mobility are high-end, allowing him to shut opponents down in transition, kill plays and be a reliable defensive presence. One of the best neutral-zone defenders in the draft, Hensler’s gap control forces dump-ins, and his skating allows him to turn and retrieve those forced dump-ins with ease.
He showed flashes of higher-end offense toward the end of the season, making quality plays to create high-danger chances. He’s physically ready for the NHL, but will benefit from more NCAA development to improve his offensive play and solidify his defensive game. When he’s ready, he could become a great partner for Jake Sanderson or play secondary matchups in the middle pairing.
Team: Michigan (BIG10)
DOB: 01/23/2007 | Ht: 6-4¾ | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 18 | G: 4 | A: 6 | P: 10
Scouting notes: The son of former NHLer Shawn Horcoff, Will projects as a defensively reliable third-line center with size, strength and strong off-puck instincts. At nearly 6-5, he’s a disruptive force in his own zone, using his range and physicality to pressure puck attackers and cause turnovers.
Offensively, he facilitates with smart passes and uses his size to play with contact and protect the puck. He’ll need to develop his skating from a speed and mobility perspective to grow offensively. If he adds a step with some explosiveness and fills out his frame, Horcoff could become a physically imposing, two-way pivot in a bottom-six NHL role who plays against secondary matchups.
How he fits: The Penguins traded up seven spots to make their third selection of the first round in Horcoff. The youngest player in college hockey this season was a steady riser in the back half of the campaign. A bit of a late bloomer, Horcoff has room to fill out his frame, and plays a quality two-way game. Horcoff drives the net and converts chances better than almost any other draft-eligible player, a scoring skill that will translate well to the NHL level.
He projects as a third-line center who uses physicality to separate players from pucks, protect pucks and drive to the middle of the ice. Horcoff will need a few years to develop in the NCAA, and if he can add some speed and explosiveness, there is more offensive potential as a power forward.
Team: Muskegon (USHL)
DOB: 04/06/2007 | Ht: 6-5¼ | Wt: 187 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 61 | G: 19 | A: 23 | P: 42
Scouting notes: Nestrašil is a high-upside power forward who projects as a top-six NHL winger if his development continues on its current path.
He is a unique blend of above-average puck skill and playmaking with size, motor and punishing physical play. He excels with give-and-go’s, attacking off the wall, and creating space in traffic. He consistently moves the puck through carries or passes to the middle of the ice, creating more threatening opportunities.
He is raw and somewhat erratic with his reads and timing; his continued improvement and physical toolkit give him legitimate upside. If he becomes a more consistent threat, he’s a second-line force; if not, his defensive value and intensity still project a role as a physical, bottom-six winger.
How he fits: With their second selection in the first round, Chicago selected Nestrašil. I had connected him to the Blackhawks in the final mock draft, given the organization’s edict to draft quality skaters with high-end skill.
Nestrašil has high upside as a power forward in the top six, and brings a package of size, puck skill and playmaking. Another player with a high-end motor, Nestrašil plays well off teammates, attacks off the wall and bullies his way to the middle of the ice.
He has a projectable physical game that will create space for his teammates, and he can separate opponents from pucks and be reliable defensively. He’s a few years away from being ready, but there’s a lot to be excited about with the blend of size, physicality, playmaking and skill.
Team: Madison (USHL)
DOB: 11/08/2006 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 170 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 58 | G: 31 | A: 37 | P: 68
Scouting notes: One of the most skilled and creative forwards in the draft. Some scouts had Lee ranked in the late teens because of their belief in his upside.
Lee is a dynamic offensive player who consistently cuts through defensive coverage with elite puckhandling and deceptive passes. His one-timer is one of the best in the draft class. With a full complement of high-end tools, Lee has a rare ability to create offense in tight quarters with limited space, and he stood out amongst his USHL peers. He manipulates defenders and delivers elite passes under pressure. He consistently makes translatable plays like one-touch breakouts, fake receptions, and quick releases in scoring areas. As the season progressed, he showed a willingness to forecheck, battle and apply pressure defensively.
The glaring question is his skating. His stride is stiff and lacks explosiveness. Lee will need major strides in mobility to maximize his offensive toolkit at the NHL level. That being said, if he adds a step or two to pair with his skill, Lee has the skill to become a creative, middle-six playmaker with top-six upside.
How he fits: Nashville used its third selection in the first round to select one of the highest-upside players left on the board. Lee is extraordinarily skilled, and is one of the best pure creators in the draft class. A real dynamic player who is a dual threat with his playmaking and elite shooting ability. He creates offense out of nothing, can play in tight spaces, and make defenders look silly.
His play away from the puck developed as the season progressed. To reach his ceiling as a top-six, dynamic offensive threat, Lee needs to add speed and explosiveness. The ability to execute high-skill plays at speed will make or break him as a prospect in the top six. If he hits, the Preds have a special player — but patience is critical. I love this swing from the Preds, as it is exactly the type of player they need in their system.
Team: Moose Jaw (WHL)
DOB: 12/12/2006 | Ht: 6-4¼ | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 47 | G: 27 | A: 31 | P: 58
Scouting notes: The 6-4 left winger has translatable scoring ability, and excellent speed for his size. With room to fill out his frame, Lakovic is an attractive prospect.
He attacks with linear crossovers using his big frame to protect the puck, and makes plays using good deception. He has the potential to be a dual-threat winger at the NHL level if his passing translates the way many believe his shooting will. Lakovic projects to be a middle-six winger with fair confidence because of his scoring ability, speed and size, but there is a chance he becomes a second-line scoring threat.
Lakovic’s development will come on the physical side. While he is supremely skilled, he needs to lean on defenders and force his way to the middle of the ice to take advantage of his quick hands and shot. If he does, he becomes a significantly more dangerous player, as he’ll be a threat in transition and off the cycle. That is certainly a developable skill that translates to any level, and combined with quality offensive instincts and skill, could see Lakovic become a dual-threat, 65-point winger.
How he fits: The Capitals selected Lakovic, a big forward with an excellent shot and quality skating. Lakovic has NHL scoring ability and speed. If he can fill out his frame, should be able to get to the hard areas of the ice with ease. He understands how to protect the puck and play connected with his teammates.
He projects as a middle-six winger with dual-threat ability, and would certainly benefit from adding some physicality to his playstyle to become a skilled power forward. He’ll have Tom Wilson to learn from, and the Capitals have time to develop Lakovic into the complementary scorer he is capable of becoming. This is excellent value for the Capitals at the end of the first round because Lakovic could be ready to contribute in two or three years.
28. Winnipeg Jets: Sascha Boumedienne, D
Team: Boston University (H-EAST)
DOB: 01/17/2007 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 175 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 40 | G: 3 | A: 10 | P: 13
Scouting notes: One of the most discussed and debated defenders in the draft, Boumedienne projects as a second-pair, two-way defender.
Already known as a brilliant breakout passer with a heavy slap shot and strong stick play, Boumedienne’s defensive game evolved noticeably at Boston University. Buoyed by steadily improving his skating weaknesses, particularly his agility and edge work, he looked the part of a modern shutdown defenseman, specifically in transition. He developed greater stability, enabling more effective gap control and quicker pivots. Proactive reads, strong positioning, physicality and effective disruption of passing lanes allowed his defensive game to blossom.
While his offensive game remains primarily rush-based rather than in the offensive zone, Boumedienne’s willingness to experiment with fakes and deception improved his transition impact significantly. The volatility of his projection remains high, but Boumedienne’s substantial in-season growth, defensive reliability and refined skating offer realistic upside as an effective second-pair, two-way defender at the NHL level who can produce secondary offense.
How he fits: The Jets drafted a fantastic breakout passer in Boumedienne, who should blossom into a quality transition defender. He possesses a quality slap shot, an evolved defensive game and excellent transition play. His skating looks smooth, and still has room to improve in terms of edge work and stability. If it does, he’ll become even more difficult to beat in transition and able to join the rush offensively. He’s strong positionally, engaged physically and kills plays.
He’ll need two or three years before he’s NHL-ready, but the potential to become a second power-play quarterback and middle-pairing, secondary-matchup player is tangible. At a minimum, he’ll provide quality breakout passes, good transition defense and a threatening slapshot.
Team: Edina (HIGH-MN)
DOB: 08/03/2007 | Ht: 6-5¾ | Wt: 215 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 31 | G: 27 | A: 22 | P: 49
Scouting notes: Without a doubt, the best overall athlete in the draft class. A high school quarterback with legitimate college football potential and a hockey player who went in the first round of the NHL draft does not come around too often.
West possesses rare mobility, physical tools and intriguing upside. A natural shooter and smooth skater, his production on the Minnesota High School circuit at Edina High was impressive. When he stepped into the USHL, his development hit warp speed.
For obvious reasons, West is very raw as a prospect. He shows flashes of skill, an immovable net-front presence and growing physical engagement. Given his rawness, he will need to develop his puck control, positioning and decision-making. However, he will be able to rely on his QB scanning skills to help develop his decision-making in hockey. With continued development, there is a real chance he becomes a middle-six NHL power forward. The pure raw ability of this elite athlete has executives and scouts very excited.
How he fits: Chicago traded up to make a third selection in the first round, grabbing West, a quarterback and hockey player from Edina High School. One of the youngest players in the draft, West is one of the best pure athlete in the class, elite at two sports.
He has a very long development runway and won’t play in the USHL until after his football season. He combines smooth skating, a strong net-front presence and good play facilitation. West is very raw, with room to develop his puck skill, positioning and decision-making. His spatial awareness is excellent and will allow him to identify open space, bully his way to the middle of the ice and create offense. He’s still a long way away, but if he hits, West has a chance to be a powerful middle-six forward who can score and facilitate offense.
Team: Prince George (WHL)
DOB: 11/27/2006 | Ht: 6-5¼ | Wt: 190 | Catches: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 51 | Mins: 2964 | GAA: 3 | SV%: 0.901 | SO: 0
Scouting notes: Ravensbergen projects a composed, confident demeanor, with a confident projection as a starting NHL goaltender who can handle a significant workload.
At 6-5, he leverages size, elite anticipation and crisp lateral agility, consistently positioning himself perfectly to deny shooters without unnecessary flash. He tracks the puck a level above his peers, which allows him to confidently challenge shooters and cut angles effectively. He is particularly vulnerable through the five-hole, which isn’t atypical for large goalies who hover sticks above the ice. As he develops and refines his technique, this weakness should be corrected long before he reaches the NHL.
A reliable backstop for Prince George, Ravensbergen’s .901 save percentage stands out even more when considering the high-danger chances he regularly faced. His rebound control is well above average, and he has an above-average glove hand. He regularly has his blocker angled well, enabling him to direct shots safely away from danger.
It is likely that Ravensbergen becomes a platoon starter until his mid-20s, when he is capable of become a full-time NHL starter who plays 60-65 games per season.
How he fits: Some thought the Sharks would take a defenseman after getting Misa with the No. 2 pick, but instead they added to their goaltending group with Ravensbergen. There is a very real possibility that Ravensbergen and Yaroslav Askarov develop into one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL.
Ravensbergen is a southpaw goaltender. He’s composed in his movements, reads the play to limit erratic movement, and challenges shooters effectively. He is the best puck tracker in the draft, finding pucks in traffic, moving efficiently to thwart opportunities and control rebounds. Goaltending development is not linear, and much more difficult to predict, but Ravensbergen should find himself in strong contention for Team Canada at the IIHF world junior championship before turning professional.
Team: London (OHL)
DOB: 02/09/2007 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 203 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 67 | G: 10 | A: 32 | P: 42
Scouting notes: Brzustewicz is the next prospect from the factory that is the London Knights. The blueliner projects as a steady, mobile transition defender with the potential to grow into a No. 4 or 5 NHL blueliner.
A right-handed shot with a strong defensive foundation, he maintains good gap control, moves the puck very well and supports plays while remaining positionally sound. In an elevated role, his offensive creativity developed dramatically. He jumped into the rush, evaded forecheckers and created scoring chances with quality passes to the slot.
If he continues to develop his confidence and play-driving ability, Brzustewicz could evolve into a reliable second-pairing defender. Without that growth, he still holds value as a depth puck mover with a good defensive foundation.
How he fits: The Kings addressed a significant area of need by drafting Brzustewicz. A right-shot defender with quality mobility and reliable transition play. As the season progressed, Brzustewicz facilitated offense, using his skating to attack open space. He makes a good first pass that puts his teammates in position to attack off the rush. Once he moves the puck, he jumps in the play, supports as a secondary rush attacker and can shake defenders to create scoring chances.
He’ll be the go-to guy in London next season, with opportunities to play a matchup role and run the power play, both of which will expedite his development. He’s likely three years away from becoming an NHL contributor but should become a reliable middle-pairing defender.
Team: Arizona State (NCHC)
DOB: 01/10/2007 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 172 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 35 | G: 13 | A: 9 | P: 22
Scouting notes: Potter is a dynamic skater who is the fastest straight-line skater in the draft class, and his explosive mobility ranks among the draft’s best. Making an uncommon jump from the NTDP’s under-17 team straight to NCAA play, Potter displayed elite acceleration and agility, effortlessly shifting from stride to crossover and cutting sharply through defenders. Initially reliant on raw skill, Potter often avoided physical battles and forced “hope plays,” limiting his effectiveness in the first half of the NCAA season.
Potter’s evolution in the second half of the season elevated his game dramatically, and it was impossible not to notice. He embraced defensive responsibilities, improved his physical play despite his 5-10 frame, won puck battles and filled lanes on the backcheck. Potter’s positional play improved, and his off-puck play improved as a result.
The added defensive dimension complements his offensive talents, elevating his floor to a bottom-six checker, while his upside is very high as a top-six forward because of his steep development curve. Development of his transition play and learning to use his explosive skating and accurate shot while changing gears will make him a more dangerous offensive threat.
How he fits: With their second pick in the first round, the Flames took Potter, the fastest player in the draft. A quality transporter of the puck, Potter uses his elite speed to create offense off the rush with dynamic zone-entry ability. He catches defenders on their heels, and should be able to beat NHL defenders on the outside and cross them up with his crossovers if he can add strength and understand when to change gears.
Potter can tap into his offensive potential by relying on his ability to use speed to create space for his incredibly accurate shot. When given the opportunity, Potter can really rip it, and his release catches goaltenders off guard. If his development curve continues, Potter should become an elite college player and be ready for an NHL role in two years. His floor as a bottom-six checker is good value at this spot, but his upside as a second-line player who scores off the rush should excite Flames fans.
Round 2
33. San Jose Sharks: Haoxi (Simon) Wang, D, Oshawa (OHL)
34. Montreal Canadiens: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Ufa Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
35. Nashville Predators: Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln (USHL)
36. Seattle Kraken: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
37. Washington Capitals: Milton Gästrin, F, MoDo (J20 Nationell)
38. Philadelphia Flyers: Carter Amico, D, USNTDP (USHL)
39. Pittsburgh Penguins: Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL)
40. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Murtagh, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
41. Carolina Hurricanes: Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
42. New York Islanders: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg (Russia-Jr.)
43. New York Rangers: Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)
44. Detroit Red Wings: Eddie Genborg, RW, Linkoping (Sweden)
45. Anaheim Ducks: Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
46. Utah Mammoth: Max Psenicka, D, Portland (WHL)
47. Vancouver Canucks: Alexei Medvedev, G, London (OHL)
48. Philadelphia Flyers: Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State (BIG10)
49. Carolina Hurricanes: Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State (BIG10)
50. New Jersey Devils: Conrad Fondrk, C, USNTDP (USHL)
51. Boston Bruins: William Moore, C, USNTDP (USHL)
52. Minnesota Wild: Theodor Hallquisth, D, Orebro Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
53. San Jose Sharks: Cole McKinney, C, USNTDP (USHL)
54. Calgary Flames: Theo Stockselius, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
55. Vegas Golden Knights: Jakob Ihs Wozniak, Lulea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
56. Tampa Bay Lightning: Ethan Czata, C, Niagara (OHL)
57. Philadelphia Flyers: Matthew Gard, Red Deer (WHL)
58. Nashville Predators: Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton (OHL)
59. Los Angeles Kings: Vojtech Cihar, LW, Karlovy Vary (Czechia)
60. Anaheim Ducks: Lasse Boelius, D, Assat Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
61. Boston Bruins: Liam Pettersson, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
62. Carolina Hurricanes: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL)
63. New Jersey Devils: Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL)
64. Toronto Maple Leafs: Tinus Luc Koblar, C, Leksand Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
Round 3
65. Vancouver Canucks: Kieren Dervin, C, St. Andrew’s College (HIGH-ON)
66. Chicago Blackhawks: Nathan Behm, RW, Kamloops (WHL)
67. Carolina Hurricanes: Kurban Limatov, D, Dynamo Moscow Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
68. Seattle Kraken: Will Reynolds, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
69. Montreal Canadiens: Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna (WHL)
70. New York Rangers: Sean Barnhill, D, Dubuque (USHL)
71. Buffalo Sabres: David Bedkowski, D, Owen Sound (OHL)
72. Anaheim Ducks: Noah Read, C, London (OHL)
73. Pittsburgh Penguins: Charlie Trethewey, D, USNTDP (USHL)
74. New York Islanders: Luca Romano, C, Kitchener (OHL)
75. Detroit Red Wings: Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City (USHL)
76. Columbus Blue Jackets: Malte Vass, D, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
77. Colorado Avalanche: Francesco Dell’elce, D, UMass (H-East)
78. Utah Mammoth: Stepan Hoch, LW, C. Budejovice Jr. (Czechia-Jr.)
79. Boston Bruins: Cooper Simpson, LW, Shakopee (HIGH-MN)
80. Calgary Flames: Maceo Phillips, D, USNTDP (USHL)
81. Montreal Canadiens: Bryce Pickford, D, Medicine Hat (WHL)
82. Montreal Canadiens: Arseni Radkov, G, Tyumen Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
83. Edmonton Oilers: Tommy Lafreniere, RW, Kamloops (WHL)
84. Pittsburgh Penguins: Gabriel D’Aigle, G, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
85. Vegas Golden Knights: Mateo Norbert, C, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
86. Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston (OHL)
87. Carolina Hurricanes: Roman Bausov, D, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
88. Los Angeles Kings: Kristian Epperson, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
89. New York Rangers: Artyom Gonchar, D, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
90. New Jersey Devils: Mason Moe, C, Madison (USHL)
91. Pittsburgh Penguins: Brady Peddle, D, Waterloo (USHL)
92. Winnipeg Jets: Owen Martin, C, Spokane (WHL)
93. Ottawa Senators: Blake Vanek, RW, Stillwater (HIGH-MN)
94. Dallas Stars: Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL)
95. San Jose Sharks: Teddy Mutryn, C, Chicago (USHL)
96. Washington Capitals: Maxim Schafer, LW, Eisbaren Berlin (Germany)
Round 4
97. Ottawa Senators: Lucas Beckman, G, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
98. Chicago Blackhawks: Julius Sumpf, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
99. New Jersey Devils: Trenten Bennett, G, Kemptville (CCHL)
100. Boston Bruins: Vashek Blanar, D, Troja-Ljungby U18 (Sweden-Jr. U18)
101. Anaheim Ducks: Drew Shock, D, USNTDP (USHL)
102. Minnesota Wild: Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL)
103. Buffalo Sabres: Matous Kucharcik, C, Slavia Jr. (Czechia-Jr.)
104. Anaheim Ducks: Elijah Neuenschwander, G, Fribourg Jr. (Swiss-Jr.)
105. Pittsburgh Penguins: Travis Hayes, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
106. New York Islanders: Tomas Poletin, LW, Pelicans (Finland)
107. Chicago Blackhawks: Parker Holmes, LW, Brantford (OHL)
108. Tampa Bay Lightning: Benjamin Rautiainen, C, Tappara (Finland)
109. Detroit Red Wings: Brent Solomon, RW, Champlin Park (HIGH-MN)
110. Utah Mammoth: Yegor Borikov, RW, Minsk (Russia)
111. New York Rangers: Mikkel Eriksen, C, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
112. Florida Panthers: Mads Kongsbak Klyvo, LW, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
113. Montreal Canadiens: L.J. Mooney, C, USNTDP (USHL)
114. New Jersey Devils: Gustav Hillstrom, C, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
115. San Jose Sharks: Ilyas Magomedsultanov, D, Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
116. Buffalo Sabres: Samuel Meloche, G, Rouyn-Norando (QMJHL)
117. Edmonton Oilers: David Lewandowski, LW, Saskatoon (WHL)
118. Colorado Avalanche: Linus Funck, D, Lulea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
119. Detroit Red Wings: Michael Svrcek, LW, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
120. Los Angeles Kings: Caeden Herrington, D, Lincoln (USHL)
121. Minnesota Wild: Lirim Amidovski, RW, North Bay (OHL)
122. Nashville Predators: Alex Huang, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
123. Minnesota Wild: Carter Klippenstein, C, Brandon (WHL)
124. San Jose Sharks: Zachary Sharp, D, Western Michigan (NCHC)
125. Los Angeles Kings: Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint (OHL)
126. Dallas Stars: Brandon Gorzynski, C, Calgary (WHL)
127. Tampa Bay Lightning: Aiden Foster, C, Prince George (WHL)
128. Florida Panthers: Shea Busch, LW, Everett (WHL)
Round 5
129. Florida Panthers: Shamar Moses, RW, North Bay (OHL)
130. Pittsburgh Penguins: Ryan Miller, C, Portland (WHL)
131. Edmonton Oilers: Asher Barnett, D, USNTDP (USHL)
132. Philadelphia Flyers: Max Westergard, LW, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden)
133. Boston Bruins: Cole Chandler, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
134. Seattle Kraken: Maxim Agafonov, D, UFA Jr. (Russia)
135. Buffalo Sabres: Noah Laberge, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
136. Anaheim Ducks: Alexis Mathieu, D, BAIE-Comeau (QMJHL)
137. Toronto Maple Leafs: William Belle, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
138. New York Islanders: Sam Laurila, D, Fargo (USHL)
139. New York Rangers: Zeb Lindgren, D, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden)
140. Detroit Red Wings: Nikita Tyurin, D, Spartak Jr. (Russia)
141. Minnesota Wild: Justin Kipkie, D, Victoria (WHL)
142. Utah Mammoth: Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko, G, UFA (Russia)
143. Vancouver Canucks: Wilson Bjorck, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden)
144. Calgary Flames: Ethan Wyttenbach, LW, Sioux Falls (USHL)
145. Montreal Canadiens: Alexis Cournoyer, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
146. Dallas Stars: Atte Joki, C, Lukko Jr. (Finland)
147. St. Louis Blues: Mikhail Fyodorov, RW, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Russia)
148. Pittsburgh Penguins: Quinn Beauchesne, D, Guelph (OHL)
149. Ottawa Senators: Dmitri Isayev, LW, Yekaterinburg Jr. (Russia)
150. San Jose Sharks: Max Heise, C, Penicton (BCHL)
151. Tampa Bay Lightning: Everett Baldwin, D, St. George’s School (HIGH-RI)
152. Los Angeles Kings: Petteri Rimpinen, G, K-Espoo (Finland)
153. Toronto Maple Leafs: Harry Nansi, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
154. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jordan Charron, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
155. Washington Capitals: Jackson Crowder, C, Chicago (USHL)
156. Winnipeg Jets: Viktor Klingsell, RW, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden)
157. Philadelphia Flyers: Luke Vlooswyk, D, Red Deer (WHL)
158. Dallas Stars: Mans Goos, G, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden)
159. Anaheim Ducks: Emile Guite, LW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
160. Columbus Blue Jackets: Owen Griffin, C, Oshawa (OHL)
Round 6
161. New Jersey Devils: David Rozsival, RW, Liberec Jr. (Czechia-Jr.)
162. Chicago Blackhawks: Ashton Cumby, D, Seattle (WHL)
163. Nashville Predators: Daniel Nieminen, D, Pelicans (Finland)
164. Philadelphia Flyers: Nathan Quinn, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
165. Boston Bruins: Kirill Yemelyanov, C, Yaroslav Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
166. New York Rangers: Samuel Jung, RW, Karpat Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
167. Buffalo Sabres: Ashton Schultz, C, Chicago (USHL)
168. Anaheim Ducks: Anthony Allain-Samake, D, Sioux City (USHL)
169. Pittsburgh Penguins: Carter Sanderson, LW, Muskegon (USHL)
170. New York Islanders: Burke Hood, G, Vancouver (WHL)
171. New York Rangers: Evan Passmore, D, Barrie (OHL)
172. Detroit Red Wings: Will Murphy, D, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
173. Columbus Blue Jackets: Victor Raftheim, D, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
174. Utah Mammoth: Ludvig Johnson, D, Zug (Swiss)
175. Vancouver Canucks: Gabriel Chiarot, RW, Brampton, (OHL)
176. Calgary Flames: Aiden Lane, RW, St. Andrew’s College (HIGH-ON)
177. Montreal Canadiens: Carlos Handel, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
178. New Jersey Devils: Sigge Holmgren, D, Brynas U18 (Sweden-Jr. U18)
179. St. Louis Blues: Love Harenstam, G, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
180. Washington Capitals: Aron Dahlqvist, D, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
181. Ottawa Senators: Bruno Idzan, LW, Lincoln (USHL)
182. Utah Mammoth: Reko Alanko, D, Jokerit Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
183. Carolina Hurricanes: Viggo Nordlund, LW, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
184. Los Angeles Kings: Jan Chovan, C, Tappara Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
185. Toronto Maple Leafs: Rylan Fellinger, D, Flint (OHL)
186. Vegas Golden Knights: Alexander Weiermair, C, Portland (WHL)
187. Vegas Golden Knights: Gustav Sjoqvist, D, AIK (Sweden-2)
188. Winnipeg Jets: Edison Engle, D, Dubuque (USHL)
189. Montreal Canadiens: Andrew MacNiel, D, Kitchener (OHL)
190. Dallas Stars: Dawson Sharkey, RW, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
191. Edmonton Oilers: Daniel Salonen, G, Lukko Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
192. Florida Panthers: Arvid Drott, RW, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
Round 7
193. Tampa Bay Lightning: Caleb Heil, G, Madison (USHL)
194. Chicago Blackhawks: Ilya Kanarsky, G, Akm Tula Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
195. Buffalo Sabres: Melvin Novotny, LW, Leksand Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
196. Los Angeles Kings: Brendan McMorrow, C, Waterloo (USHL)
197. Florida Panthers: Brendan Dunphy, D, Wenatchee (WHL)
198. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jeremy Loranger, C, Sherwood Park (BCHL)
199. Buffalo Sabres: Yevgeni Prokhorov, G, Dinamo-Shinnik Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
200. Anaheim Ducks: Brady Turko, RW, Brandon (WHL)
201. Pittsburgh Penguins: Kale Dach, C, Sherwood Park (BCHL)
202. New York Islanders: Jacob Kvasnicka, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
203. New York Rangers: Felix Farhammar, D, Orebro Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
204. Detroit Red Wings: Grayden Robertson-Palmer, C, Phillips Andover Academy (HIGH-MA)
205. Seattle Kraken: Karl Annborn, D, HV71 Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
206. Tampa Bay Lightning: Roman Luttsev, C, Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
207. Vancouver Canucks: Matthew Lansing, C, Fargo (USHL)
208. Calgary Flames: Jakob Leander, D, HV71 Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
209. Montreal Canadiens: Maxon Vig, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
210. San Jose Sharks: Richard Gallant, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
211. Calgary Flames: Yan Matveiko, LW, CSKA Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
212. Tampa Bay Lightning: Grant Spada, D, Guelph (OHL)
213. Ottawa Senators: Andrei Trofimov, G, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
214. Colorado Avalanche: Nolan Roed, C, Tri-City (USHL)
215. Tampa Bay Lightning: Marco Mignosa, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
216. Los Angeles Kings: William Sharpe, D, Kelowna (WHL)
217. Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Hlacar, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
218. Seattle Kraken: Loke Krantz, RW, Linkoping Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
219. Buffalo Sabres: Ryan Rucinski, C, Youngstown (USHL)
220. Winnipeg Jets: Jacob Cloutier, RW, Saginaw (OHL)
221. Carolina Hurricanes: Filip Ekberg, RW, Ottawa (OHL)
222. Dallas Stars: Charlie Paquette, RW, Guelph (OHL)
223. Edmonton Oilers: Aidan Park, C, Green Bay (USHL)
224. Florida Panthers: Yegor Midlak, G, Spartak Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
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