Breaking down 32 of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft
The 2025 National Hockey League draft is upon us.
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In a class headed by Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, we take a look at 32 of the top prospects heading into the first round on Friday night. Rounds 2-7 will take place on Saturday. Players are listed with NHL central scouting's final ranking.
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Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)
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The skinny: If the 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Stoney Creek, Ont., isn't atop your mock draft, you've done it wrong. He's the consensus No. 1 pick, a can't-miss choice for the lottery-winning New York Islanders … Played in 17 games (putting up seven goals and 15 assists) with the Otters before suffering a broken collarbone with Canada at the world junior in Ottawa, an injury that ended his season … Elite skater who checks all of the above-average boxes … Turns 18 on Sept. 5.
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Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
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The skinny: In his third season after being granted exceptional status, the Oakville, Ont., native led all Canadian Hockey League players with 134 points (62 goals and 72 assists) … The 6-foot-1, 184-pound Spirit captain is dually driven by hockey IQ and an ability to finish … The 18-year-old is just as creative off the ice: He won the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL's scholastic player of the year (86% in Grade 12 university-level courses).
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The skinny: Steelheads captain brings equal parts power and playmaking to each shift … Had 98 points (37 goals and 61 assists) in 57 games … At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, the Peterborough, Ont., native isn't easy to knock off the puck … At 18, earned valuable experience with two games for Canada at the world championship this past spring … Father Mike, a defenceman, played for Peterborough in the OHL and was a fourth-round pick by Buffalo in 1996.
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The skinny: The native of Hauppauge, N.Y., on Long Island had a fine rookie season with the Eagles, putting up 37 points (11 goals and 26 assists) in 37 games. A year earlier, the 18-year-old led the U.S. national development team in scoring with 47 points in 26 games … At 5-foot-11, 186 pounds, he's not the biggest centre available, but he can beat you with skill and desire … Impactful for the U.S. in winning gold at the 2025 world junior.
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