LOS ANGELES – One current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) player and one incoming freshman heard their names called Friday night at the Peacock Theater, as Arizona State rising sophomore forward Cullen Potter and North Dakota incoming freshman forward Cole Reschny were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. The two could be future teammates, as both were drafted by the Calgary Flames.
 
Reschny was taken 18th overall by the Flames. The Macklin, Saskatchewan native has spent the last two seasons playing for the Victoria Royals in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Reschny served as an assistant captain for the Royals this past season, leading the team with a franchise-record 66 assists and 92 points in 62 regular-season games, while scoring 26 goals, which was second on the Royals. The left-shot center added a team-best 25 points (9g/16a) in 11 playoff games.
 
Reschny also represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF U-18 World Championship in late April and early May, helping Team Canada win gold with eight points (5g/3a) in five games. He was named one of the top three players for Canada at the tournament. In his first year with Victoria in 2023-24, Reschny racked up 59 points in 61 games.
 
Potter was drafted by the Flames with the 32nd and final pick in the first round, becoming the highest NHL draft pick in Arizona State history. Starting the 2024-25 season as a 17-year-old, the Minneapolis, Minn. native earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors after compiling 15 points (9g/6a) in 22 conference games, with his nine goals third among freshmen. Overall, Potter finished his freshman year with 22 points in 35 games for the Sun Devils, including 13 goals, which was second among NCHC rookies. His 81 shots on goal led rookies in NCHC action, while he helped ASU finish in second place in its inaugural NCHC season.
 
Potter, who turned 18 in January, captured a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF U-18 World Championship in May. The speedy winger potted four goals and added four assists while representing the U.S. in seven games in Texas. Similar to Reschny, Potter was named one of Team USA’s top three players at the tournament.
 
The NCHC has now had 16 current or incoming players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft since the conference began play in 2013-14.
 
The 2025 NHL Draft concludes Saturday with rounds 2-7. Day two of the NHL Draft begins at noon ET/9 a.m. PT and will be televised on NHL Network and streamed on ESPN+ in the United States, as well as televised on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.
 
NCHC PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2025 NHL DRAFT
Rd.         Pick         Player                    NCHC Team        Pos.        NHL Team
1              18           Cole Reschny        North Dakota        F              Calgary
1              32           Cullen Potter          Arizona State       F              Calgary
 
ALL-TIME NCHC PLAYERS SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND OF NHL DRAFT
Year       Pick         Player                                 NHL Team            NCHC Team
2014       20           Nick Schmaltz                      Chicago                North Dakota
2015       23           Brock Boeser                       Vancouver            North Dakota
2015       25           Jack Roslovic                       Winnipeg              Miami
2016       10           Tyson Jost                            Colorado              North Dakota
2016       20           Dennis Cholowski                Detroit                   St. Cloud State
2016       23           Henrik Borgstrom                 Florida                  Denver
2016       25           Riley Tufte                            Dallas                   Minnesota Duluth
2017       25           Ryan Poehling                     Montreal               St. Cloud State
2018       26           Jacob Bernard-Docker         Ottawa                  North Dakota
2020       5             Jake Sanderson                   Ottawa                  North Dakota
2022       31           Isaac Howard                      Tampa Bay            Minnesota Duluth
2024       12           Zeev Buium                          Minnesota             Denver
2024       18           Sacha Boisvert                    Chicago                 North Dakota
2024       30           EJ Emery                             N.Y. Rangers         North Dakota
2025       18           Cole Reschny                      Calgary                  North Dakota
2025       32           Cullen Potter                       Calgary                  Arizona State
 

–#NCHChockey–

The Bruins added a major talent to their prospect pipeline on Friday night when Boston College’s James Hagens, ranked the No. 1 talent in the world before this season, fell to the Bruins at No. 7 and they selected the Long Island native, immediately making him the club’s top prospect.

“I love Boston, I love the area,” Hagens told ESPN.

Hagens seemed every bit as tickled that his name was called by actor Adam Sandler, aka Happy Gilmore.

“I’ll remember that forever,” beamed a smiling Hagens, who said Happy Gilmore was his favorite movie.

There was one uncomfortable moment when the Bruins’ brass on Causeway Street, trying to interface with Hagens at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles via Zoom, could not hear the player and the broadcast had to move on.

Hopefully for the B’s and Hagens’ sake, that will be the only glitch in his development.

Hagens, listed at 5-11 and 177 pounds (he said he’s packed on 13 pounds since those measurements were taken), had a very good year at BC but he didn’t have the same kind of sensational season that last year’s No. 1 pick, Macklin Celebrini, had at Boston University. But playing between Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perrault, Hagens had 11-26-37 totals in 37 games, which is not bad for a college freshman. Playing with those two future NHLers, he had little choice but to be a set-up man.

Before arriving at BC, Hagens had 39 goals and 63 assists for the U.S. National U18 team in 2023-24. He was also part of the 2025 Team USA that won the World Junior Championships, ranking second among US players with nine points. He was named MVP of the USA’s 2024 silver medal winning team in the U18 World Junior Championships, notching 22 points in seven games.

When it was pointed out that Hagens didn’t have quite the level of production that was expected, B’s GM Don Sweeney took exception.

“I think that’s a little unfair in terms of players going in as freshmen,” said Sweeney. “If you look back at James’ track record, he’s been a prolific point producer…against his peer group he’s been at the upper echelon of production. There have been a few players, and you’re right, who have gone into college hockey at that age and done better overall, but there’s no shame in the type of year that he had, playing on the top line on one of the top teams’ in the country. There’s no concern on our part in terms of him taking a step back.”

Hagens’ strongest asset is his skating ability with which he’s adept at making tight turns and changes of direction. He’s also got excellent vision and is good at anticipating plays. While the loaded Eagles fell short of their goal of a national championship this year, Hagens scored his biggest goal of the season in the NCAA regionals when BC was locked in a 0-0 game late in the third period against upstart Bentley. The young centerman saved the Eagles’ bacon by scoring the only goal of the game on a heads-up wraparound.

One other thing that should work in the B’s favor with the pick is that Hagens should have a healthy chip on his shoulder after falling in the draft.

“I think next year, we’ll hopefully see. I thought this year was really good,” said Hagens via Zoom. “I just have to go out there next year and prove everyone that passed on me wrong. I’m in the spot where I want to be. I want to be a Boston Bruin.”

But Hagens is not known for a powerful shot and, a tad undersized, he will be challenged to get to inside ice.

Hagens will be at Bruins Development Camp on Monday at Warrior Ice Arena, where the Eagles often practice. He said its his goal to be in the NHL as soon as possible, but whether or not he returns to BC is to be determined.

“That’s a talk I’m sure I’ll have with the staff when I see them,” said Hagens, who grew up playing many tournaments in Boston as a kid. “I’m up to 190 now. I’ve been able to put on some weight, get in the gym and get ready. I want to play in the NHL as soon as possible. That’s a conversation with the team, whether it’s now or once the college season is over. That’s a conversation we’ll have to have.”

Sweeney said that that decision will be made incrementally over the summer but he did say that he does not want to rush him. On top of that, Sweeney pointed out that at BC next season there will be opportunities for Hagens to take a more play-driving role after and develop more of a shot mentality now that some of the older players have left the program.

There was some speculation earlier in the day that, after the Islanders had traded Noah Dobson to Montreal for the 16th and 17th picks, that they may make a run at the No. 7 pick with those two picks so that could could add their hometown boy Hagens to a first-round haul that include first overall pick Matthew Schaefer.

Hagens was unfazed by the talk.

“I stayed away from all that stuff. I had no idea where I was going to end up. I’m so grateful that I ended up in Boston and that I’m a Bruin and I’m not leaving the Boston area. I wanted to go to college in Boston and it just turned out that the Bruins picked me. I’m super grateful that it worked out,” said Hagens.

While neither GM got into specifics about who their potential dance partners might have been, Islanders GM Mathieu Darche said he tried to trade the two picks to move up to get Hagens and Sweeney said he did have discussions about moving back.

“We had some opportunities but we just felt when James was there, we had to make the selection,” said Sweeney.

The Islanders made both those picks and they made out pretty darn well, taking right wing Victor Eklund, whom a few prognosticators had moved into the top 10, and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, who had also been rising in recent weeks.

The B’s certainly saw plenty of Hagens last season. Not only was he playing in their backyard at Chestnut Hill, but he was also a teammate of Dean Letourneau, the B’s first-round selection (25th overall) last season. Eagles Oskar Jellvik and Andre Gasseau are also Bruin picks.

Hagens is the 27th first-round pick in BC history.

The draft continues on Saturday when the B’s have two second round picks (51, 61). Sweeney said he’s had discussions about moving picks to obtain a player and will continue those talks on Saturday.

Originally Published: June 27, 2025 at 8:18 PM EDT

The NHL Draft will resume Saturday at noon, with more than a dozen New England natives and local college players expected to be selected in Rounds 2-7.

Aside from Hagens, here is a closer look at the two prospects with local ties selected Friday:

Václav Nestrašil, forward, Blackhawks, first round (No. 25 overall)

Nestrašil is the second-highest draft pick in UMass history, behind only Cale Makar’s fourth overall selection by the Avalanche in 2017.

Nestrašil, a 6-foot-5-inch, 190-pound forward from Czechia, was projected as a second-round pick for most of the year, but his stock shot up with a strong close to his USHL season.

Though still a raw prospect and growing into his lanky frame, the NHL upside is easy to see: Nestrašil is a fluid skater with slick puck skills and playmaking ability, with potential to develop into a two-way power forward as he fills out.

Nestrašil played this past season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, registering 19 goals and 42 points during the regular season. His production spiked in the Clark Cup Playoffs, tallying seven goals and six assists in 13 games.

Nestrašil committed to UMass in January 2024 and will suit up for the Minutemen next season. He will immediately be among the largest forwards in Hockey East, along with Boston College forward (and Bruins 2024 first-rounder) Dean Letourneau.

Sascha Boumedienne, defenseman, Jets, first round (No. 28 overall)

Boumedienne, a 6-2, 183-pound defenseman from Stockholm, was the youngest player in college hockey last season. He acclimated well against veteran competition, tallying three goals and 10 assists while logging 18 minutes per game on a BU squad that reached the national title game.

Boumedienne’s selection marks the third straight year a BU player has gone in the first round, following Macklin Celebrini’s top overall selection by the Sharks in 2024 and Tom Willander’s 11th pick to the Canucks in 2023.

Though Boumedienne does not project as a major offensive contributor, he is a well-rounded and skilled defenseman who has already displayed NHL-caliber skating ability. Though it took him a couple months to settle in, Boumedienne secured a top-four role on BU’s blue line in the second semester.

On top of that, just weeks after wrapping up the college season, Boumedienne represented Sweden in the Under-18 World Championships and set the tournament record for points by a defenseman, with 14 in seven games.

Boumedienne is expected to be a key piece on the BU blue line next season and should take a leap as one of the league’s most complete defensemen.

Matty Wasserman can be reached at matty.wasserman@globe.com. Follow him @Matty_Wasserman.

Saturday, June 28, 2025

10 College Hockey Players, Recruits Selected in First Round

LOS ANGELES – Ten current or committed NCAA Division I players were selected during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at the Peacock Theater on Friday, the third-most in college hockey history and its most since 2016.

Only the 2016 and 2007 drafts, with 11 each, featured more college hockey players chosen in the opening round.

Boston College forward James Hagens, who amassed 37 points in 37 games as a freshman in 2024-25, was the first college player off the board Friday, going seventh overall to the Boston Bruins.

Hagens was one of five rising sophomores to hear their names called in the first round. The others included Wisconsin defenseman Logan Hensler (Ottawa, 23rd overall), Michigan forward Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh, 24th), Boston University defenseman Sascha Boumedienne (Winnipeg, 28th), and Arizona State forward Cullen Potter (Calgary, 32nd).

A quartet of incoming college hockey players were also selected Friday, including Penn State defenseman Jackson Smith (Columbus, 14th), North Dakota forward Cole Reschny (Calgary, 18th), UMass forward Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago, 25th), and Michigan State forward Ryker Lee (Nashville, 26th).

Additionally, Michigan State commit Mason West, who is projected to join the Spartans in 2026-27, was selected 29th overall by Chicago.

Also of note:

• Smith was the first-ever Nittany Lion drafted in the first round, while Potter was Arizona State’s first-ever first-round pick.
• There have been 44 NCAA first-rounders taken in the last five drafts, the most-ever in a five-year span.
• There have been 80 first-round picks from the NCAA over the last 10 NHL Drafts (2016-25) compared to 53 first-rounders over the previous 10 drafts (2006-15).
• Boston College has had at least one player selected in 30 consecutive drafts, the longest such streak in NCAA history. Minnesota can match that streak tomorrow during rounds two through seven.
• A total of 220 NCAA players all-time have been selected in the first round of the NHL draft, dating back to St. Lawrence’s Alex Campbell, who was taken second overall by Boston in 1964.

Rounds two through seven of the 2025 NHL Draft will be held Saturday beginning at noon Eastern. Broadcast coverage will be provided by NHL Network, ESPN+, Sportsnet and Sportsnet1).

Five-star linebacker recruit Tyler Atkinson has signed a significant name, image and likeness deal. Atkinson, who is ranked as the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the country, has signed as an NIL partner with Adidas. Atkinson is one of six class of 2026 recruits to reach a deal with Adidas.

On3 recently gave Atkinson a $389,000 NIL valuation, but he has a chance to exceed that figure. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker is the top recruit in Georgia. Atkinson is the No. 8 recruit in the nation, per On3. He has an impressive combination of versatility, athleticism and production. The top college football programs across the country are willing to pay big dollars for what Atkinson brings to the table.

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The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to land a commitment from Atkinson. The five-star is also considering the Texas Longhorns, Oregon Ducks and Clemson Tigers. Interestingly, all of Atkinson’s top contenders are Nike schools.

Wherever Atkinson ends up he should have an opportunity to make an instant impact as a true freshman. The class of 2026 linebacker led the way as Grayson won a Georgia 6A state championship in 2024.

Last year, Atkinson recorded 166 tackles, 13 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He played well in Grayon’s state title win and finished the game with 13 tackles and two sacks.

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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 5-star UGA football recruiting target Tyler Atkinson inks NIL deal