NHL Draft Observations

Yesterday marked the first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and of the 32 players taken, 7 are listed as Americans. So where'd they come from? Here's a quick look:

#7 James Hagens (Boston Bruins) - Born in Hauppauge, New York, Hagens played with the U.S. National Development Team in 2022-23 and 2023-24 before attending Boston College this past year. 

#23 Logan Hensler (Ottawa Senators) - Born in Woodbury, Minnesota, Hensler also played with the U.S. National Development Team in 2022-23 and 2023-24 before attending the University of Wisconsin this past year. 

#24 Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh Penguins) - Born in Edmonton, Alberta (his father Shawn was on the Oilers at the time), Horcoff grew up in Michigan after his father retired. Horcoff played with the U.S. National Development Team in 2023-24 and 2024-25 before attending the University of Michigan. 

#26 Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators) - Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ryker was the USHL Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 after scoring 31 goals and tallying 37 assists for the Madison Capitols. The USHL is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. Strictly amateur, it is geared towards players aged 16-21. Lee is committed to Michigan State. 

#29 Mason West (Chicago Blackhawks) - Born in Edina, Minnesota, West played in the USHL with the Fargo Force during the 2024-25 season. He committed to Michigan State last week. 

#31 Henry Brzustewicz (Los Angeles Kings) - Born in Washington, Michigan, Brzustewicz, whose older brother Hunter plays in the Calgary Flames organization, has spent the last two years playing in the Ontario Hockey League in Canada for the London Knights. 

#32 Cullen Potter (Calgary Flames) - Born in Hortonville, Wisconsin, Potter spent the 2023-24 season with the U.S. National Development Team and then played the 2024-25 season with Arizona State University. He was originally committed to Michigan State before switching. His mom won four Olympic medals with the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team.