Now that the 2024 NHL Draft has been complete, it’s time – no, really, it’s time – to look ahead to the 2025 class. While there may not be a Macklin Celebrini-caliber player in the group yet, there’s plenty of time for one of the top prospects to emerge and create a lot of excitement.

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I don’t believe there will be a consensus on the top prospect all the way through the season, but going into next year all eyes are on James Hagens. After an incredible NTDP career, he is headed to Boston College where he’ll likely play an elevated role after the departure of Will Smith. The expectations for him will be high.

There is a lot of additional talent in the draft that will be fascinating to watch. Top prospects like Anton Frondell of Sweden and Canadian Porter Martone are also going to be popular top-three choices as forwards with size and high-end offensive traits. They’re the most likely to push Hagens.

There’s a lot to get excited about with this group, but there’s a long way to go to get to June 2025.

1. James Hagens, C, Boston College

A forward with dynamic skill and playmaking ability, Hagens had 102 points this season. He also set the single-tournament record at the World Men’s Under-18 Championship with 22 points last season as Team USA earned silver. He’ll need to build strength while at college as he is not that big of a player, but he has such tremendous skill and hockey sense that he makes everyone around him better. He has electric potential.

2. Anton Frondell, C, Djugardens

A powerful center with offensive touch, Frondell’s season ended early due to injury. However, I had the chance to see him at the U18 Five Nations where he was a dominant force as an underager for Sweden. He has good touch on the puck and gets to the interior well, while also showcasing a willingness to be physical.

3. Porter Martone, RW, Mississauga Steelheads

Martone captained the Canadian U18 team to the 2024 IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship where he also had 17 points. At 6-foot-3, he can play a heavy game, but he has tremendous touch on the puck and makes a lot of the right plays. His skating is good for his size and he can impose his will physically.

4. Ivan Ryabkin, C, Dynamo Moscow

Over this season, Ryabkin had the most productive year in the MHL ever for a U17 player. He surpassed Matvei Michkov’s U17 total by two points, but did it in 12 fewer games. He is a dual shot-pass threat and makes a lot of plays all over the ice. He is under contract with Dynamo until 2026-27, so the team that selects him will have to be somewhat patient, but that’s probably a good NHL timeline for him anyway.

5. Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit

After receiving OHL exceptional status two years ago, Misa has been able to make a sizable impact in the OHL. Scouts will want to see him take an even bigger step forward next season as he leads a Saginaw team coming off of a Memorial Cup. Misa had 75 points this season on a loaded team, but he also had five assists during the five games at the Memorial Cup. There’s more game to his game to tap into yet.

6. Roger McQueen, C/W, Brandon Wheat Kings

A massive forward who averaged close to a point-per-game this year, McQueen is a big swing on upside. He has more to round out in his game, but his progression so far at the size he’s at is especially intriguing. He is a late 2006 birth date, so a lot will be expected of him, but if he stays on the arc he’s been on, it could be an explosive draft year for the big man.

7. Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters

I got my first in-depth glimpse of Schaefer at the World U18s and I was stunned at the fluidity and confidence in his game despite being a very young 16 year old. He was born 10 days shy of the draft cut-off for next season. Schaefer has been through a lot of adversity the last year following the loss of both his mother and the mother of the family he billeted with in junior. He didn’t put up big points last year, but he has a tremendous amount of upside based on what we saw at U18s and where his game can go.

8. Sascha Boumedienne, D, Youngstown Phantoms

A tall, lanky defenseman who is still growing into his frame, Boumedienne is a Swedish import in the USHL. His first season with Youngstown showed his quality. He has some smooth skating and an absolute bomb of a shot. As he fills out, he should be a pretty tough guy to beat. 

9. William Moore, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team

A big center with some power in his game, Moore had decent production on a U17 team that struggled through last season. The upside he has is really special, though, as his size and athleticism suggest there’s a lot more he can tap into as he progresses. Moore recently committed to Boston College as the Eagles keep wrapping up blue chippers.

10. Malcom Spence, LW, Erie Otters

A big winger who has some jam to him, Spence is an aggressive player who can be physical and still score. He doesn’t have dynamic skill, but he is effective with the puck on his stick. There’s a lot to like about his game and the expectation should be that he continues to battle. 

Others to watch

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, LW, Lulea

Logan Hensler, D, University of Wisconsin

LJ Mooney, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team

Adam Benak, C, HC Plzen

Cullen Potter, C/W, Arizona State University

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats

Charlie Trethewey, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team

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