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Twenty-Three Big Ten Players Selected in 2025 NHL Draft
Draft class highlighted by four first-round picks
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Twenty-three 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. Michigan State (2), Ohio 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
Michigan landed seven selections (which tied a program record) while Minnesota had five picks and Penn State four draftees. Michigan State (2), Ohio 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 |
| Aidan Park, C | Michigan | 7th | 223 | Edmonton Oilers | Green Bay (USHL) |