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NHL Draft: How The 2025 Draft-Eligible Talent Is Doing In The USHL

NHL Draft: How The 2025 Draft-Eligible Talent Is Doing In The USHL

We’re still months away from the 2025 NHL Draft, but that should not hinder excitement surrounding the draft-eligible talent playing in the USHL.

Oct 31, 2024 by Ryan Sikes
NHL Draft: How The 2025 Draft-Eligible Talent Is Doing In The USHL

We’re still months away from the 2025 NHL Draft, but that should not hinder excitement surrounding the draft-eligible talent playing in the USHL.

Added, the recent release of the Central Scouting Preliminary List gave us a baseline for where these players are ranked at the start of the season.

As the season progresses, these rankings certainly will evolve when the Mid-Term Rankings are published in January and the final rankings just before the draft.

With that, let’s look at how the draft-eligible players are performing in the USHL through the first two months of the season:

William Moore, C, NTDP U18 Team

Moore was one of two current NTDP skaters who checked in as an “A” rating in the initial installment of the list.

The 17-year-old’s combination of size and speed pairs well with a strong game down the middle.

Moore already has four goals and six assists, making his 10 points the most on the NTDP U18s roster through the first 14 games of the season.

While his three-game point streak ended last Saturday, Moore has been a consistent producer as the U18s work their way through the NCAA portion of their schedule.

Charlie Trethewey, D, NTDP U18 Team

Trethewey just might have the hardest shot among all defensemen in this draft class.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound blueliner has four points on two goals and two assists in 14 games so far.

Trethewey has demonstrated his ability as a two-way defenseman. 

He has strong offensive instincts and plays a physical brand of defense in his own zone.

Carter Amico, D, NTDP U18 Team

While Amico checked in as a “B” rating in the preliminary rankings, he is a player who certainly could work his way into first-round conversation.

At 6-foot-5 and 217 pounds, Amico skates very well for someone his size.

Amico primarily has played a defensive role for the NTDP and can quickly shut down plays by imposing punishing hits.

Still, his mobility suggests he can provide some offense from the blueline as he continues to develop.

Adam Benak, F, Youngstown Phantoms

Benak has made the transition to the USHL look seamless. 

The 17-year-old already has two goals and six assists, making his eight points the second-most on Youngstown’s roster.

Listed at just 5-foot-7, Benak rightfully was listed as a “B” rating in the initial rankings.

However, he is a player who can elevate his draft stock as he continues to produce against bigger competition.

An offensive speedster, Benak certainly has the tools to make it happen.

Conrad Fondrk, F, NTDP U18 Team

When Fondrk gets into open ice, good luck catching him.

The 5-foot-11 forward plays with a ton of pace and can make exciting plays of out nothing.

Fondrk has just two goals and five points through his first 14 games. 

His offensive production this season will tell if he can move off the initial “B” rating.

William Horcoff, C, NTDP U-18 Team

Horcoff has played up and down the lineup this season, skating along both wings and down the middle.

At 6-foot-4, his size and versatility make him a plug-and-play-type player any team would love to add to its roster.

Horcoff had just 19 points in 54 games with the U17 team last year. He already has six points on three goals and three assists through his first 14 games this season.

Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers

Kevan established himself as a player to watch after leading all USHL rookies in points (57) a season ago.

Now in his draft-eligible season, the Arizona State commit checked in as a “B” rating in the preliminary rankings.

Kevan is a smooth skater who can make all the plays using his quick hands.

He already has three goals and eight points in seven games this season.

Ryker Lee, RW, Madison Capitols

Lee is increasing his draft stock with each passing game while skating as Madison’s top right-winger.

The Michigan State commit has racked up an impressive 13 points on four goals and nine assists in his first 11 games.

Lee is a high-volume shooter and excels on the power play. 

While listed as a “B” rating, he is a player who can drastically increase his stock if he continues to produce at this rate.

Cole McKinney, C, NTDP U18 Team

In the market for a faceoff wizard? Cole McKinney just might be your guy.

The Michigan commit has produced in the NCAA portion of the U18’s schedule, recording six points in 11 games.

McKinney has a quick and accurate shot as part of a toolkit that allows him to shine as an all-situations player.

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