The draft prospects are making waves in college hockey, and it’s quite a sight to see.
Many young players are choosing the tough college route, following the footsteps of stars like Adam Fantilli and Matthew Wood. Macklin Celebrini set a high bar as the youngest Hobey Baker Award winner, but new talents from the 2025 draft class are ready to shine. Six freshmen are stepping into their first year of eligibility this season.
James Hagens is drawing all eyes as he heads to Boston College after a stellar U18 NTDP season. He notched 102 points in 58 games and broke Nikita Kucherov’s scoring record at the World U18 Championship with 22 points in seven games. With Will Smith now in the NHL, Hagens will join wingers Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard at Boston College. Fans might wonder if he can outshine Canadian stars like Porter Martone.
Logan Hensler is another standout, heading to Wisconsin after solidifying his defensive prowess with Cole Hutson and EJ Emery on the USA NTDP team. He logged heavy minutes and tallied 31 points in 61 games. At Wisconsin, he’ll likely become their top defender amidst fresh faces on the blue line.
Defensive Stars:
Sascha Boumedienne joins Boston University from Youngstown (USHL). Son of Josef Boumedienne, Sascha brings size and skill to BU’s defense lineup alongside Cole Hutson and Haoxi Wang. His physical play and puck handling make him a top contender for significant ice time early on .
Cullen Potter made an early exit from NTDP for Arizona State University, aiming for a starring role there. As last year’s U17 NTDP scoring leader with 46 points in 54 games, Cullen has shown offensive flair but needs to handle physical play better. His mother Jenny Potter’s legacy may inspire him as ASU enters its first NCHC season.
Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen heads to Michigan with a strong defensive mindset inherited from his mother Manon Rheaume. Known for his aggressive play despite limited offensive output (18 points in 61 games), Dakoda will compete among new defenders at Michigan aiming for another Frozen Four run.
Shane Vansaghi moves to Michigan State University after being known more for his strength than scoring during his NTDP stint (41 points in 113 games). Under coach Adam Nightingale’s guidance, Vansaghi could become one of this year’s top draft surprises.
Haoxi Wang joins Boston University from Brantford (OJHL), diverging from other US-raised prospects on this list. Born in Beijing, China, Wang adapted well during his junior year despite managing only seven assists across 32 OJHL games due to limited experience but impressive size (6-foot-2). Fans might be curious about how much ice time he’ll secure against Hockey East competition this season.
What do you think about these rising stars?
