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Big Ten CommunicationsPublished: 6/29/2025, Last updated: 9/17/2025
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Twenty-Four Big Ten Players Selected in 2025 NHL Draft

Draft class highlighted by four first-round picks

NHL DRAFT LIST

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Twenty-four players with connections to the Big Ten Conference were chosen in the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft, held June 27-28 at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This year's draft class, which included selections from all seven schools, features current Big Ten players and future commitments.

Michigan landed seven selections (which tied a program record) while Minnesota had five picks and Penn State four draftees. Ohio State (3), Michigan State (2), Wisconsin (2) and Notre Dame (1) also had players chosen.

This year’s draft class is the largest in Big Ten Hockey history, surpassing the 21 selections that occurred in 2019 and 2022.

The first round, which was conducted Friday, saw four players chosen. Jackson Smith, who will be attending Penn State this fall, went 14th overall to Columbus. Wisconsin defenseman Logan Hensler was chosen 23rd by Ottawa, Michigan center Will Horcoff taken 24th by Pittsburgh, and incoming Michigan State forward Ryker Lee selected 26th by Nashville.

Since forming a hockey conference in 2013-14, the Big Ten has attracted 39 first-round selections, including eight top-five recipients.

2025 NHL DRAFT 

NAME

SCHOOL

ROUND

PICK

NHL TEAM

2024-25 TEAM

Jackson Smith, D

Penn State

1st

14

Columbus Blue Jackets

Tri-City (WHL)

Logan Hensler, D

Wisconsin

1st

23

Ottawa Senators

Wisconsin

Will Horcoff, C

Michigan

1st

24

Pittsburgh Penguins

Michigan

Ryker Lee, RW

Michigan State

1st

26

Nashville Predators

Madison (USHL)

Jacob Rombach, D

Minnesota

2nd

35

Nashville Predators

Lincoln (USHL)

Malcolm Spence, LW

Michigan

2nd

43

New York Rangers

Erie (OHL)

Shane Vansaghi, RW

Michigan State

2nd

48

Philadelphia Flyers

Michigan State

Charlie Cerrato, C

Penn State

2nd

49

Carolina Hurricane

Penn State

Cole McKinney, C

Michigan

2nd

53

San Jose Sharks

USNTDP

Jack Ivankovic, G

Michigan

2nd

58

Nashville Predators

Brampton (OHL)

Kieren Dervin, C

Penn State

3rd

65

Vancouver Canucks

St. Andrews College

Mace'o Phillips, D

Minnesota

3rd

80

Calgary Flames

USNTDP

Mason Moe, C

Minnesota

3rd

90

New Jersey Devils

Madison (USHL)

Drew Schock, D

Michigan

4th

101

Anaheim Ducks

USNTDP

John Mooney, C

Minnesota

4th

113

Montreal Canadiens

USNTDP

Asher Barnett, D

Michigan

5th

131

Edmonton Oilers

USNTDP

Will Belle, RW

Notre Dame

5th

137

Toronto Maple Leafs

USNTDP

Jackson Crowder, C

Ohio State

5th

155

Washington Capitals

Chicago (USHL)

Bruno Idzan, LW

Wisconsin

6th

181

Ottawa Senators

Lincoln (USHL)

Edison Engle, D

Ohio State

6th

188

Winnipeg Jets

Dubuque (USHL)

Kale Dach, C

Penn State

7th

201

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sherwood Park (BCHL)

Jacob Kvasnicka, RW

Minnesota

7th

202

New York Islanders

USNTDP

Ryan Rucinski, C

Ohio State

7th

219

Buffalo Sabres

Youngstown (USHL)

Aidan Park, C

Michigan

7th

223

Edmonton Oilers

Green Bay (USHL)


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