University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Men's Hockey | 2025 NHL Draft Central
DRAFTED: NY ISLANDERS
ROUND 7 PICK 202
2025 DRAFT ELIGIBLE
DRAFTED: NEW JERSEY
ROUND 3 PICK 90
DRAFTED: MONTREAL
ROUND 4 PICK 113
DRAFTED: CALGARY
ROUND 3 PICK 80
DRAFTED: NASHVILLE
ROUND 2 PICK 35
HOW TO WATCH
Watch the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft on Fri., June 27 at 6 P.M. CT (Round 1)
and Sat., June 28 at 11 A.M. CT (Rounds 2-7)
WATCH (FRI) | WATCH (SAT) | FOLLOW
Location: Peacock Theater (Los Angeles, Calif.)
and Sat., June 28 at 11 A.M. CT (Rounds 2-7)
WATCH (FRI) | WATCH (SAT) | FOLLOW
Location: Peacock Theater (Los Angeles, Calif.)
NHL DRAFT HISTORY
*At least one Gopher has been drafted in 50 of the last 51 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota's 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are tied for an NCAA record, while it is currently on a 24-year streak.
*Minnesota has had 243 draft picks in program history, the most by any NCAA men's hockey team, including 26 first-round selections.
*Erik Johnson is the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006.
*Per NCAA rules, the Gopher men's hockey program cannot comment on unsigned prospects.
*Minnesota has had 243 draft picks in program history, the most by any NCAA men's hockey team, including 26 first-round selections.
*Erik Johnson is the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006.
*Per NCAA rules, the Gopher men's hockey program cannot comment on unsigned prospects.
2025 NHL DRAFT CLASS
JACOB KVASNICKA
5-11 | 175 | Forward
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, Minn.
LAST YEAR: USA Hockey National Team Development Program
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JACOB:
"Jacob is a high-motor, explosive-skating right wing with a strong work ethic and straight-line speed that consistently stands out. While undersized relative to NHL benchmarks, he plays with effort and tenacity in all three zones and shows an ability to create separation through his skating mechanics, quickness and speed."
-Neutral Zone
"Kvasnicka is a high-energy forward who provides consistent two-way effort. Speed is his best trait, as he can fly in straight lines, making him difficult to play against because you can’t outrun him anywhere on the ice. He plays a smart game, positioning himself effectively to succeed. Offensively, he crashes the crease, driving hard to the net with his stick on the ice, looking for second-chance opportunities."
-Jacob Roth (FC Hockey)
FINN McLAUGHLIN
6-2 | 205 | Defense
HOMETOWN: Canmore, Alberta
LAST YEAR: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT FINN:
"McLaughlin is an offensive-minded defenseman with strong defensive awareness. He is relatively capable of corralling a loose or bouncing puck, and he is able to effectively find open teammates in both open ice and through traffic. He consistently shows a willingness to sacrifice his body to block shots, often opting for a dive block attempt."
-Jed Neff (FC Hockey)
"Deceptive is the best way to describe McLaughlin. On retrievals, he fakes one way, waits for the opponent to follow, then escapes in the other direction. He shows one pass, only to rip a puck up the middle for a better look. From the point, he constantly changes pace and gives defenders a different look."
-Elite Prospects
MASON MOE
6-1 | 185 | Forward
HOMETOWN: Eden Prairie, Minn.
LAST YEAR: Madison Capitols (USHL)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MASON:
"Mason Moe is a skilled, two-way center with strong offensive instincts and smart positional play. At 6-foot-1, 186 pounds, he has the size, balance, and puck protection needed to impact the game in all three zones. He has produced consistently against quality USHL competition and has flashed NHL-level ability at the NTDP."
-Matthew Buhrmann (The Hockey Writers)
"Moe is a two-way center who plays a complete, well-rounded game. He stood out most to me along the boards. He engaged in battles in all three zones and won them at a high rate. He uses his frame to push players off, establish body position, and get to the puck. He uses this to establish himself in front of the net as well. While he doesn’t drive offense on his own, he can keep up and be a nice complement."
-Jacob Roth (FC Hockey)
LJ MOONEY
5-8 | 165 | Forward
HOMETOWN: West Mifflin, Pa.
LAST YEAR: USA Hockey National Team Development Program
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LJ:
"Mooney has first-round talent – he’s one of the most energetic, skilled wingers you’ll find in this draft class. He’s so much fun to watch. An injury early in the season limited his output, but he was arguably USA’s most important playmaker at the U18 level. The University of Minnesota commit was the most productive USNTDP U18 player in USHL play, too."
-Steven Ellis (The Nation Network)
"LJ Mooney is a highly skilled, dynamic forward with elite-level hands, creativity, and vision who thrives when the puck is on his stick. His offensive brain operates at an NHL pace, and he can create scoring chances out of broken plays or controlled possessions with high-end instincts. While he is consistently one of the smartest and most productive players on the puck in junior competition, he will need to prove he can handle contact and maintain pace against physically mature, structured opponents to earn long-term consideration."
-Neutral Zone
MACE'O PHILLIPS
6-6 | 225 | Defense
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, Minn.
LAST YEAR: USA Hockey National Team Development Program
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MACE'O:
"Mace'o Phillips has built his game around physicality and toughness, making him one of the hardest-hitting defensemen available in the 2025 NHL Draft. His defensive instincts and shutdown ability are what set him apart, and he plays every shift with that edge."
-Matthew Buhrmann (The Hockey Writers)
"Phillips is a massive, 6-foot-6, defender who uses every bit of his frame to push guys around and poke pucks away. He’s strong and always seems to be looking to land at least one big hit a game. He skates well, too. His mobility and frame will make him a solid option for teams chasing size and decent mobility."
-Steven Ellis (The Nation Network)
JACOB ROMBACH
6-6 | 200 | Defense
HOMETOWN: Blaine, Minn.
LAST YEAR: Lincoln Stars (USHL)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JACOB:
"Jacob is a towering, defensive-minded blueliner who leverages his size, reach, and defensive anticipation to close space and suffocate opposing forwards. He is a projectable stay-at-home defenseman with pro traits in his gap control, puck retrieval efficiency, and shot-blocking willingness."
-Neutral Zone
"Standing at 6-foot-6, many would believe that Jacob Rombach would be a defenseman who lays the big hits and makes his presence felt this way, but the defenseman relies more on his fundamentally sound defensive game to make an impact on the ice. Rombach is very solid at keeping his gap under control, thanks to his strong skating ability, and keeping his opponents in low-danger areas of the ice. He does not use his size physically a lot but knows when to use it at the right time."
-Jordan Orth (The Hockey Writers)
5-11 | 175 | Forward
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, Minn.
LAST YEAR: USA Hockey National Team Development Program
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JACOB:
"Jacob is a high-motor, explosive-skating right wing with a strong work ethic and straight-line speed that consistently stands out. While undersized relative to NHL benchmarks, he plays with effort and tenacity in all three zones and shows an ability to create separation through his skating mechanics, quickness and speed."
-Neutral Zone
"Kvasnicka is a high-energy forward who provides consistent two-way effort. Speed is his best trait, as he can fly in straight lines, making him difficult to play against because you can’t outrun him anywhere on the ice. He plays a smart game, positioning himself effectively to succeed. Offensively, he crashes the crease, driving hard to the net with his stick on the ice, looking for second-chance opportunities."
-Jacob Roth (FC Hockey)
FINN McLAUGHLIN
6-2 | 205 | Defense
HOMETOWN: Canmore, Alberta
LAST YEAR: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT FINN:
"McLaughlin is an offensive-minded defenseman with strong defensive awareness. He is relatively capable of corralling a loose or bouncing puck, and he is able to effectively find open teammates in both open ice and through traffic. He consistently shows a willingness to sacrifice his body to block shots, often opting for a dive block attempt."
-Jed Neff (FC Hockey)
"Deceptive is the best way to describe McLaughlin. On retrievals, he fakes one way, waits for the opponent to follow, then escapes in the other direction. He shows one pass, only to rip a puck up the middle for a better look. From the point, he constantly changes pace and gives defenders a different look."
-Elite Prospects
MASON MOE
6-1 | 185 | Forward
HOMETOWN: Eden Prairie, Minn.
LAST YEAR: Madison Capitols (USHL)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MASON:
"Mason Moe is a skilled, two-way center with strong offensive instincts and smart positional play. At 6-foot-1, 186 pounds, he has the size, balance, and puck protection needed to impact the game in all three zones. He has produced consistently against quality USHL competition and has flashed NHL-level ability at the NTDP."
-Matthew Buhrmann (The Hockey Writers)
"Moe is a two-way center who plays a complete, well-rounded game. He stood out most to me along the boards. He engaged in battles in all three zones and won them at a high rate. He uses his frame to push players off, establish body position, and get to the puck. He uses this to establish himself in front of the net as well. While he doesn’t drive offense on his own, he can keep up and be a nice complement."
-Jacob Roth (FC Hockey)
LJ MOONEY
5-8 | 165 | Forward
HOMETOWN: West Mifflin, Pa.
LAST YEAR: USA Hockey National Team Development Program
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LJ:
"Mooney has first-round talent – he’s one of the most energetic, skilled wingers you’ll find in this draft class. He’s so much fun to watch. An injury early in the season limited his output, but he was arguably USA’s most important playmaker at the U18 level. The University of Minnesota commit was the most productive USNTDP U18 player in USHL play, too."
-Steven Ellis (The Nation Network)
"LJ Mooney is a highly skilled, dynamic forward with elite-level hands, creativity, and vision who thrives when the puck is on his stick. His offensive brain operates at an NHL pace, and he can create scoring chances out of broken plays or controlled possessions with high-end instincts. While he is consistently one of the smartest and most productive players on the puck in junior competition, he will need to prove he can handle contact and maintain pace against physically mature, structured opponents to earn long-term consideration."
-Neutral Zone
MACE'O PHILLIPS
6-6 | 225 | Defense
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, Minn.
LAST YEAR: USA Hockey National Team Development Program
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MACE'O:
"Mace'o Phillips has built his game around physicality and toughness, making him one of the hardest-hitting defensemen available in the 2025 NHL Draft. His defensive instincts and shutdown ability are what set him apart, and he plays every shift with that edge."
-Matthew Buhrmann (The Hockey Writers)
"Phillips is a massive, 6-foot-6, defender who uses every bit of his frame to push guys around and poke pucks away. He’s strong and always seems to be looking to land at least one big hit a game. He skates well, too. His mobility and frame will make him a solid option for teams chasing size and decent mobility."
-Steven Ellis (The Nation Network)
JACOB ROMBACH
6-6 | 200 | Defense
HOMETOWN: Blaine, Minn.
LAST YEAR: Lincoln Stars (USHL)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JACOB:
"Jacob is a towering, defensive-minded blueliner who leverages his size, reach, and defensive anticipation to close space and suffocate opposing forwards. He is a projectable stay-at-home defenseman with pro traits in his gap control, puck retrieval efficiency, and shot-blocking willingness."
-Neutral Zone
"Standing at 6-foot-6, many would believe that Jacob Rombach would be a defenseman who lays the big hits and makes his presence felt this way, but the defenseman relies more on his fundamentally sound defensive game to make an impact on the ice. Rombach is very solid at keeping his gap under control, thanks to his strong skating ability, and keeping his opponents in low-danger areas of the ice. He does not use his size physically a lot but knows when to use it at the right time."
-Jordan Orth (The Hockey Writers)
TICKET INFORMATION
▸ Call 1-800-U-GOPHER ▸ Email GopherSports@umn.edu ▸ In-Person Help: 3M Arena at Mariucci Ticket Office (M-F 9-4)
