Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Scott Wheeler's Early 2025 Draft Rankings

Five Terrier recruits are ranked on The Athletic's Wheeler's early top 28 for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

8. Charlie Trethewey, RHD, 6'1", 190, NTDP
One of the top 2007s at the program this year, even though his August birthday makes him one of the youngest players on its U17 team, Trethewey is a talented and confident right-shot defenseman with pro size, a hard shot (slapshot and wrister), stability over his skates and a real command of the game on the puck. He can attack, he can handle the puck, he defends hard (though his decisions/reads/timing could use a little polish) and there’s just a lot of pro quality to his game that should refine as he continues to get reps. He’s got the potential to be a real stud up levels into college and beyond.

10.Sascha Boumedienne, LDH, 6'2", 183, BU
Boumedienne’s a player I’ve been hearing about for some time, and he has lived up to the billing as a rookie in the USHL as well as internationally with the Swedish national under-17 team this year. He’s an excellent skater who has already provided two-way transition value in junior, with a long and fluid stride that is complemented by good footwork and strong four-way mobility. He’s got natural glide but can also stay on top of the ice and flow through his skating patterns. He sees the ice at an advanced level and plays a cerebral, poised game. He handles the puck comfortably and understands timing and spacing on and off of it. He layers fakes into his carries well. He’s going to get stronger and fill out his frame further to add some more power to his game. There’s a lot to work with.

17. Conrad Fondrk, LW, 5'11", 175, NTDP
Fondrk is a highly skilled player who can excite in space. He's got a dangerous mid-range shot, excellent individual skill/hands and good overall skating. The talent level and the ability to execute finishing plays is top-end, for sure. There are some who question his B-game/competitiveness, though (he's got good instincts off of the puck defensively, which helps). If he can develop more layers/intensity to his game, he'll be a high pick next year. He has made some pretty plays this year and he's definitely a threat when the puck lands on his stick in the slot, but I've also wanted to see him separate from the pack and find another level more than he has because I think it's there.

20. Jack Murtagh, C-LW, 6'0, 186, NTDP
Murtagh maybe didn’t have the name cachet coming into the NTDP that forwards such as William Moore, Conrad Fondrk, L.J. Mooney, Cullen Potter and Cole McKinney had but he has looked in line with them in my viewings and has produced in line with them as well. He has played primarily left wing at the program but can also play center. He’s got a late-August birthday and is one of the younger players on the team. He’s a really strong skater and athlete who can play quick and push tempo in straight lines, or round corners with speed to get to his spots. He’s got a dangerous and deceptive in-motion NHL release which he hides well pre-shot. I’ve seen him make skill plays and score big goals. He’s competitive. I really like him. He’s got a game with several pro qualities.

27. Carter Amico, RHD, 6'5", 205, NTDP
Amico's a really interesting pro prospect because of his size and ability to cover a lot of territory with strong forward skating and good overall mobility. There have been some highs and lows for him in some of my viewings, though — games where he struggles with his reads and gets burned, and games where he pushes people around physically, gets a lot of stops, and shows enough of a puck game to look really projectable up levels. He's never going to be a big-time point producer but he can outlet and occasionally carry the puck, he'll jump up into the play or the backdoor, and his length and coverage area get your attention. If he takes some steps next year he'll be a high pick. It does feel to me like he's still pretty raw/there are a range of potential outcomes, though.

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