The 2024-25 hockey season is in full gear.

With the start of the Ontario Hockey League season this week, nearly all major scouting avenues are underway. All we’re waiting on is the NCAA, which will kick off action in October, with Logan Hensler being the top prospect out of there this year.

We started off the season with the World Junior Summer Showcase, where top 2025 prospect James Hagens highlighted a crop of players looking to make the main tournament in December. We then followed it up with the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the first major scouting tournament for players looking to make their case to get selected next June in an undetermined location.

While it’s still too early to get a good read on how deep this group will be, it is shaping up to a diverse first round. Last year lacked quality talent out of the QMJHL, and definitely in the crease. This year, both should be represented in the first round, with a healthy mix of centers, wingers and defenders making up the top candidates to go in the first round.

The marathon has just begun, and so much is going to change before players are chosen next summer. But here’s an early look at the top 40 players for the 2025 NHL Draft:

*James Hagens (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

1. James Hagens, C (Boston College, NCAA)

Hagens is the No. 1 dog in this draft right now and would have had a realistic chance at challenging for the top spot in 2024 had he been born a few months earlier. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program product set the record for the most points at both the U-17 World Challenge and U-18 World Championship while being a driving force every time he hit the ice. He reminds scouts of Jack Hughes due to the way he combines skill and skating and he’s easily one of the most dynamic centers I’ve seen in a while. He’ll have a chance to replace Will Smith as Boston College’s top center this year, which will be a big step forward for him. We’ll see if Hagens holds onto the top spot, but for now, he’s the best option available.

2. Porter Martone, RW (Brampton, OHL)

It’s easy to like Martone, who is a difficult player to contain. He helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August before embarking on his first full-time season with the Steelheads. Martone led the team with 33 goals and finished second with 71 points in 60 games, and had another six points in five games. The U-18 World Championship was icing on the cake as he kept himself in MVP contention from the start as Gavin McKenna’s right-hand man. Martone is aggressive, smart, skilled, and a natural-born leader already. Could Martone end up becoming the best prospect this year? It’s not out of the question.

3. Matthew Schaefer, LHD (Erie, OHL)

Schaefer was one of the best players in the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup, starting the season off in style. From the ways he generated offense from the point off the rush, he was almost always the most skilled player on the ice at any given time. The 6-foot-1 defender is an incredible skater and is always actively engaged at both ends of the ice. Offensively, Schaefer has real potential, but he’s also positionally sound and aggressive in his own zone. He had a decent first year with Erie, registering 17 points, but there was still a lot of feeling out to be done. This year, look for Schaefer to dominate.

4. Anton Frondell, C (Djurgardens, Sweden U-20)

Frondell has already had to deal with quite a few injuries in his short career, which will almost certainly hurt his draft stock. But when he’s healthy, few players are as dangerous in open ice as he is. Frondell was one of Sweden’s most productive junior players last year and even saw some pro action with Djurgardens’ Allsvenskan team. He only produced a single assist, but he showed he could hang with high-quality players all season long. There will be plenty of pressure for Frondell to dominate once he’s back in a few weeks, and don’t be surprised if he’s a key part of Sweden’s World Junior team. But for now, he just needs to find a way to stay off the IR list.

5. Roger McQueen, C (Brandon, WHL)

*Roger McQueen (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

McQueen is already off to an excellent start in Brandon, building upon an excellent 2023-24 season that nearly saw him put up a point per game. After a quiet rookie season last year, McQueen took on extra responsibility head-on and didn’t disappoint. At 6-foot-5, he’s hard to miss out there, bringing out traits similar to those of Cayden Lindstrom last year. Could McQueen crack the 100-point barrier this year? It’s absolutely possible, and while I’m hesitating to put him ahead of Frondell right now given how dominant I know the Swede can be, don’t be surprised if McQueen goes top three.

6. Michael Misa, LW (Saginaw, OHL)

Granted exceptional status to the OHL back in 2022, Misa had a productive year last season. He helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to kick things off and capped it off by winning the Memorial Cup on home ice with the Spirit. A smart forward who skates like the wind, Misa is so dangerous in open ice and can score from just about everywhere. He’s not overly strong, and I still want to see another big step offensively, but Misa has all the talent to become a legitimate top-line threat in the NHL. Given he’s set for his third year of junior when everyone else his age is about to start their second, Misa is already a step ahead. And the good news? Saginaw is going to be good again.

7. Malcolm Spence, LW (Erie, OHL)

Spence is an absolute menace on the ice. I’ve followed him closely since his GTHL days, and the one thing that he has managed to do so well is take over games physically. He gets in the way of just about everyone, has some of the best chirps in the class and then will make you pay with a nice goal. As one of the older players in this draft class, Spence had a 62-point sophomore campaign last season while donning an “A” with Erie. Spence is an excellent skater with smooth, natural strides and he thinks and acts quickly on the rush to make a play. Next up? Become a high-end game changer.

8. Ivan Ryabkin, C (MHK Dynamo Moskva, MHL)

It’s been a trying season already for Ryabkin, who played just over two minutes total in his pair of KHL games earlier in September. He hasn’t blown the doors off of the MHL by any means, either. But at his best, Ryabkin is so fascinating. No U-17 player has ever outscored Ryabkin’s 58 points in the MHL that he put up last year, edging Matvei Michkov by two points from his Draft-2 year. He’s got a fantastic shot release and has some of the best hands in this class, allowing him to dangle opponents with ease.

9. Logan Hensler, RHD (Wisconsin, NCAA)

One of the top defensive prospects already for 2025, it’s hard to miss the slick-skating, 6-foot-2, 194-pound defender. He moves so well, takes away space and is a competent puck-mover, even if the numbers seem a bit lackluster. The University of Wisconsin commit uses his agile footwork to take away space, and if he gets beaten, he has the stick work to retrieve the puck. Hensler has also taken positive steps forward with his creativity, allowing him to make more advanced plays under pressure. I see top-four potential in him, but like Zeev Buium before him, I feel like he can advance that with a great run in college because the raw skillset is there. I think there’s a noticeable gap between Schaefer and Hensler right now, but Hensler is still going to be quite the pickup for someone.

10. Caleb Desnoyers, C (Moncton, QMJHL)

*Caleb Desnoyers (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

I really like Desnoyers, who was taken first overall in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. He made an immediate impact, playing around 20 minutes a night as a rookie while showing speed, skill and two-way smarts. He’s not someone who’ll get caught slacking off and just floating around – he’s fully committed to getting the puck every time he can. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he put on some serious muscle since his QMJHL Draft year. There’s a lot to like about Desnoyers, who could give the Q a much-needed top prospect after very little representation in 2024.

11. William Moore, C (USNTDP)

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Moore made the move to join the USNTDP U-17 team last year and it felt like the right decision. He was so good at the U-17 World Challenge and was the leading goal-scorer all season long. I was surprised he wasn’t called up for the U-18 World Championship because he has the physical maturity and raw hockey IQ to handle older competition. Still, I think there’s a lot to like here, but I want to see him truly take over in Cullen Potter’s absence next year.

12. Victor Eklund, LW (Djurgardens, Sweden U-20)

Eklund has some similarities to his brother, San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund. The Djurgardens winger likes to use his skating to create plays and competes his tail off. He was one of the top Swedish U-18 national team players thanks to the way he rushed to the net and generated offense, and he also played against men in the Allsvenskan, too. He’s not physically strong, but he did seem to handle physical play a bit better in my recent viewings. At the very least, I expect Eklund to play a big role with Sweden’s World Junior team.

13. Charlie Trethewey, RHD (USNTDP)

Trethewey got off to an extremely strong start to his junior career last year, making his presence known as one of the best two-way defenders in the 2025 Draft. But he has much more than just raw skill – he’s physical and brings a ton of power to his game. The Boston University commit was my favorite player at the U-17 World Challenge because it felt like he was USA’s best playdriver. Right now, the strong, two-way defender is off to a good start with the USNTDP and will be counted on as a leader once he gets to Boston University.

14. Radim Mrtka, RHD, 17 (HC Oceláři Třinec, Czechia)

You don’t want to overrate a player based on one tournament, but everything Mrtka showed at the Hlinka made him easily the biggest riser in my draft rankings. Mrtka is a huge 6-foot-6 defenseman who showcases a bit more skill on any given shift than his point total might suggest. He’s big, strong, smart, and proved he could shut down just about anyone. Mrtka isn’t too flashy overall, but he made some nice moves with the puck that showed he is no slouch when it comes to 1-on-1 situations as the aggressor. I think he’s going to be a reliable, shutdown defender in the NHL.

15. Jake O’Brien, C (Brantford, OHL)

*Jake O’Brien (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

I thought O’Brien had a quiet showing during the Hlinka, but I still grew to like him even more as a player. He was the OHL rookie of the year last season after surprising everyone with his 51 assists. O’Brien isn’t flashy, but he passes so quickly and effectively with very little difficulty. This year, I’d like to see O’Brien shoot the puck more and be more dangerous around the net, but there might not be a better playmaker in the draft this year. A good target this year would be 20 goals and 65 assists.

16. Cole Reschny, C (Victoria, WHL)

Reschny was one of the most impressive rookies in the CHL last year, moving about at a near-point-per-game pace. A stout playmaker, Reschny has quick feet, an active motor, and is great at getting himself in spots to pick up rebounds. He’s small at 5-foot-9 and that often leads to bigger defenders drawing to him, but Reschny is smart enough to get himself out of trouble often. His play at both the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and the Hlinka Gretzky was fantastic, too. I just wish he was an inch or two taller, but his ability to drive plays and generate high-quality chances can’t be ignored.

17. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD (Barrie, OHL)

Aitcheson was a minute-eater at the U-18s, playing around 25 minutes in some games. He’s physical, plays a ton on the penalty kill, moves well, and takes away space as well as anyone. I don’t see him being much of a point producer in the NHL, but he’s just a mean dude out there. If he can round out the offensive side of his game, I can see a team taking him higher, but his raw talent at this point makes him incredibly intriguing. I’ll be going out of my way to watch him in Barrie this year.

18. Émile Guité, LW (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

Guité has had a bit of a slow start to the QMJHL campaign, but he ripped opponents apart at both the U-17 World Challenge and the Hlinka Gretzky. He’s so good in open space and is lethal on the power play. The 6-foot-1 winger might not be the most well-rounded player, but you’re guaranteed to see him do something electrifying at least once every night. Guite has one of the better shots out of the QMJHL, and I think teams will be interested in how well he takes advantage of scoring lanes.

19. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW (Lulea, Sweden U-20)

The only real consistent element about JIW’s play this year might be his inconsistency. After an extremely productive season in the Swedish U-20 league last year, he struggled at the U-18 World Championship and was nearly invisible before the medal round of the Hlinka Gretzky. At 6-foot-3, he has good size, and he’s quick, too. He also has had a bit of a quiet start to the Swedish U-20 season, too, playing at a pace well below his production from a year ago. It’s still exceptionally early, but I’ve been really concerned with his play as of late – and lots of Swedish scouts have been, too.

20. Jackson Smith, LHD (Tri-City, WHL)

Smith was one of my favorites at the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He started as the seventh defender but kept seeing his ice time and opportunities improve, especially late in games. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Smith already has an excellent frame for his age. He’s a pain in the rear end to try and beat in 1-on-1 situations because he loves getting in your face as much as possible. I think Smith is a sure bet to go in the first round for his size and mobility, and he’s got some good flashes of skill, too.

21. Blake Fiddler, RHD (Edmonton, WHL)

*Blake Fiddler (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

The son of former NHLer Vern Fiddler, Blake turned heads at the Hlinka in August. Fiddler is a big-bodied defender who cleared forwards away from his net and pushed opponents to the perimeter. Fiddler was one that many scouts were circling heading into the tournament because he’s an aggressive, two-way threat, and I feel like a team could be tempted to take him high if he puts everything together consistently.

22. Brady Martin, RW (Soo, OHL)

I have Martin higher than most, but I believe in him big time. He’s a talented forward that can do a lot for a team, but he didn’t get to prove himself in the OHL last year due to an injury. I expect a big year from him with the Greyhounds if he keeps moving and attacking the play like he does. Even if he doesn’t make it to the NHL as a point producer, he’s got the mobility and tenacity you want from someone who makes themselves difficult to play against.

23. Cole McKinney, C (USNTDP)

While he didn’t do a ton offensively when I watched him, McKinney was one of USA’s better two-way threats last year. McKinney, a University of Michigan commit, is dedicated to making the most of every situation around his own net and has the speed to make things happen at the other end, too. He’s not big, but he’s strong, and he’s excellent on the penalty kill, blocking shots whenever possible.

24. Conrad Fondrk, LW (USNTDP)

One of the USNTDP’s most skilled players, Fondrk was among their points leaders all season long. He’s creative, smart and can shoot from just about anywhere with confidence. I was concerned with how many puck battles he lost along the boards due to pure lack of strength, but I can see him rising up the board if he can add some muscle and toughness to his game.

25. Cullen Potter, C (Arizona State, NCAA)

Potter took the Macklin Celebrini route and will head to college a year early. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts after showcasing himself as one of the top USNTDP players this year thanks to his speed and two-way play. At 5-foot-9, he’s quite small, but I feel like he’s physically stronger than his build might suggest. We’ll see if going to college early is the right move for him or not, but early opinions suggest he’s ready. I’m excited to see what’s next.

26. Viktor Klingsell, LW (Skelleftea, Sweden U-20)

*Viktor Klingsell (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

27. Alex Huang, RHD (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

Huang isn’t big, but he isn’t afraid to get aggressive. He plays a good two-way game and might be one of the more skilled defenders in this draft. The Chicoutimi Saguenéens star likes to slow things down before suddenly beating everyone with his speed and creativity. Huang is 6-foot, but if he was 6-foot-2 with a bit more muscle, more people would be talking about him right now. Regardless, there should be no shortage of teams chasing his services this year.

28. Milton Gastrin, C (Modo, Sweden U-20)

Gastrin is a strong center who wins a lot of faceoffs and then muscles players off the puck if he doesn’t. I love how heads-up he is all the time dishing the puck out and how consistently effective he was almost every single game. The two-way center has a good 6-foot-2 frame that he’s still trying to figure out, and he’s a strong playmaker, too. While I don’t expect him to be a big goal-scorer in the NHL, he’s well-rounded enough to make himself valuable in plenty of situations.

29. Adam Benak, C (Youngstown, USHL)

It’s easy to tell why he owns the all-time scoring record at the Hlinka. He’s so quick, has excellent hands and can put a ton of power behind his shot for a smaller player. No forward was as good as Benak consistently, with the 5-foot-7 forward carrying this team’s offense more often than not. He needs to figure out how to beat everyone with his speed at the next level if he’s not going to grow, but he might be one of the smaller players who makes it work. A big year in the USHL could help quell some concerns.

30. Joshua Ravensbergen, G (Prince George, WHL)

*Joshua Ravensbergen (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Ravensbergen is a 6-foot-4 goaltender coming off an incredible Draft-1 season with the Cougars and has all the makings of the next star goalie prospect. Stylistically, he reminds me a bit of Yaroslav Askarov, maybe without all the flash. Netminders are difficult to project, given how wild the position can be, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen a goaltender make as big of an impact a year before their draft season. Ravensbergen has received some rave reviews, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays well enough to earn a spot on Canada’s World Junior team.

31. Sascha Boumedienne, LHD (Youngstown, USHL)

The Boston University Terriers commit is one of the more fascinating defenders in this class. He had a good year with Youngstown in the USHL and put up a ton of points and showed more than his fair share of physicality with Sweden’s U-17 team. But he also has shown the ability to try and do too much or play outside his skill level, leaving him prone to mistakes. Still, there’s going to be plenty of interest in him this year. The Finnish-born but Swedish-flagged defender has a good 6-foot-2 frame, skates well, and is one of the better puck distributors in this class.

32. Justin Carbonneau, RW (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)

It feels like it’s hard to watch Carbonneau and not be impressed with his play most nights. He’s a solid power forward with a good head on his shoulders and excellent vision. He’s a high-end skater who uses that speed to his advantage to generate offense. Carbonneau had 31 goals and 59 points last year, and I’m expecting a breakout this season while playing in a league that’s going to have a bit of an extra spotlight on it this year.

33. Artyom Vilchinsky, LHD (SKA St. Petersburg, MHL)

Vilchinsky is already off to a good second full year in the MHL, which included a two-point effort recently. His ice time has quickly risen with each passing game, which is nice to see. Vilchinsky missed the 2024 Draft cutoff by a day, so now he’s going to take it out on the competition next year. He’s a hulking 6-foot-6, 240-pound defender who can skate well for his size and never takes things too far with his physicality. His decision-making can use some work, both with and without the puck, but I like a guy who makes it his mission to separate you from the puck while also showing enough puck skills to be more than just a big body.

34. Luka Radivojevic, RHD (Orebro, Sweden U-20)

Radivojevič was a standout at the U-18 World Championship, earning some consideration for the top defenseman award despite missing the first game. The 17-year-old son of former NHLer Branko, Radivojevič had a good showing at the World Juniors at just 16 years old this season. He’s a bit undersized, but he’s skilled, quick and thinks the game at a high level. He was fourth in the Swedish U-20 league defensive scoring, losing out to a trio of top 2024 NHL Draft prospects instead. He also has experience with Orebro’s men’s team, too. Slovak fans are excited about his potential internationally, and he looks destined to get taken decently high. As a smaller defender, though, it feels like he’s a boom/bust guy.

35. Filip Ekberg, LW (Ottawa, OHL)

*Filip Ekberg (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

From a flashiness perspective, I really like Ekberg. He’s no stranger to making creative moves and loves open space. He won’t have as much of that in the OHL, but I feel like he’ll have very little difficulty adjusting to the fast pace in North America. I think there’s still plenty of work to make him more effective – he’s excellent with the puck, and less so without it – but the right coaching will push him to become more of a 200-foot threat.

36. L.J. Mooney, RW (USNTDP)

Mooney is energetic, explosive and has some incredible hands that allow him to create highlight-reel plays. But his lack of size is going to be a big talking point this year, whether it’s fair or not. Mooney is listed as just 5-foot-7, and he’s not particularly strong. But he’s incredibly persistent away from the puck, bringing oodles of energy to every shift. With his pure skill, Mooney – a University of Minnesota commit – can be a real burner. And he comes from a solid hockey family too – his cousin is Utah’s Logan Cooley.

37. Bill Zonnon, LW (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

Zonnon impressed me at the U-17s, even though he didn’t produce much. But what he did show with the Huskies is that he is a force to be reckoned with, using his frame and hockey smarts to win battles consistently. He’s a great playmaker, and I expect him to get around 75 points this year. I also liked his increased physicality last year, something I hope he develops a bit more this year to become more dangerous.

38. Cameron Schmidt, RW (Vancouver, WHL)

At 5-foot-8, Schmidt isn’t big, but he’s got the skill to be a potential first-rounder. He battles hard and can make some noise in front of the net because he doesn’t let defenders push him around easily. Right spot, right time – that’s his thing. We’ll see what NHL scouts think next June because there’s no shortage of skill there.

39. Ben Kevan, RW (Des Moines, USHL)

I really like Kevan’s game. He had an excellent USHL rookie season last year and already looks great to start 2024-25. His performance at the Hlinka turned heads, even if he didn’t have much to show for, but he’s a heavy-volume shooter who can drive plays and find his teammates all over the ice. He’s not afraid to mix it up, either, and is quite strong for his modest six-foot frame.

40. Jack Ivankovic, G (Brampton, OHL)

Ivankovic isn’t big, but he’s one of the most talented goaltenders in the 2025 NHL Draft and deserves a serious shot at being Brampton’s No. 1 in the NHL. He doesn’t let his smaller frame bother him – Ivankovic has the mobility you want from any star goalie prospect. He’ll be Brampton’s starter this year after the team moved on from Ryerson Leenders during the summer. Ivankovic should be one of the OHL’s top goaltenders, and I’m excited to see how high he can go this year.

*Jack Ivankovic (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

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