16 hours ago
2025 NHL Draft: Schaefer, Misa, Frondell highlight star-studded first-round picks
The
2025 NHL Draft
kicked off with Canadian defenseman
Matthew Schaefer
going first overall to the
New York Islanders
, highlighting a night rich in top-tier talent at the
Peacock Theater
in Los Angeles. Schaefer, praised for his two-way play and resilience, was followed by high-scoring forward
Michael Misa
, selected second by the
San Jose Sharks
.
Swedish center
Anton Frondell
went third to the
Chicago Blackhawks
, rounding out a dynamic top three. Other notable picks included Caleb Desnoyers to the Utah Mammoth at No. 4 and Brady Martin to the Nashville Predators at No. 5.
ALSO READ -
NHL Draft 2025: Full list of first-round picks
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder
War Thunder
Play Now
Schaefer, a puck-moving blueliner from the Erie Otters. Schaefer, who tallied 22 points in just 17 games last season before a collarbone injury, became the fifth defenseman taken No. 1 overall since 2000 and the second Erie product to top the draft after Connor McDavid.
— NHL (@NHL)
Live Events
The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins were aggressive throughout the round. Philly took Porter Martone sixth, then traded up to No. 12 for Jack Nesbitt. The Penguins made three top-24 picks - Benjamin Kindel at 11 (a surprise to many), Bill Zonnon, and William Horcoff, son of former NHLer Shawn Horcoff, at 24 after two trade maneuvers.
The Kings drew groans from home fans at the Peacock Theater by trading away the 24th pick to Pittsburgh. They eventually selected defenseman Henry Brzustewicz at 31 in new GM Ken Holland's first move.
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders)
Elsewhere, Anaheim rolled the dice on towering center Roger McQueen at 10 despite back injury concerns, while Boston grabbed James Hagens - once the consensus No. 1 - with the seventh pick. The Long Island native's selection was announced by actor Adam Sandler in his Happy Gilmore persona.
Two goalies were taken in the first round for the first time since 2021. Columbus picked Russian netminder Pyotr Andreyanov at 20, and San Jose followed by selecting Joshua Ravensbergen at 30.
