USHL Rounds Up Eight Picks in NHL Draft First Round

The United States Hockey League (USHL) crushed it at the 2025 NHL Draft, with eight active and former players from five teams making their mark in the first round. Here’s a breakdown of who went where:

– James Hagens from Boston College and NTDP was selected by the Boston Bruins at number seven.
– Logan Hensler from Wisconsin and NTDP was snatched up by the Ottawa Senators at 23.
– Will Horcoff from Michigan and NTDP was chosen by the Pittsburgh Penguins at 24.
– Vaclav Nestrasil from Muskegon Lumberjacks joined the Chicago Blackhawks at 25.
– Ryker Lee, the USHL Rookie of the Year from Madison Capitols, found a home with the Nashville Predators at 26.
– Sascha Boumedienne, an alum of USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms from Boston University, was picked by the Winnipeg Jets at 28.
– Mason West from the Fargo Force was welcomed by the Chicago Blackhawks at 29.
– Lastly, Cullen Potter from Arizona State and NTDP rounded out the first round being selected by the Calgary Flames at 32.

The USHL made it rain with draft picks, outshining other development leagues in North America with 0.50 picks per team. Noteworthy picks include Lee being the first from the Madison Capitols to go in the first round, Nestrasil joining past Lumberjacks in the NHL Draft, and Hagens representing the Bruins’ sixth first-round pick with USHL ties.

A little about the USHL: it’s a stellar junior hockey league for 16-20-year-olds with an impressive track record. Over 50% of NCAA Division I players and 25% of NHL players have USHL backgrounds. So, it’s no surprise their players are making waves in the pros!