Michigan hockey has historic 2025 NHL draft

Michigan’s hockey program had a historic 2025 NHL draft.

The Wolverines had eight players or recruits selected during the two-day event, breaking their previous draft record of seven (2015, 2007, 1990).

Of the group, four went in the first two rounds. Only one was on the Wolverines’ roster last season, a testament to the talent they are bringing into their program.

But it’s also not a surprise this is the year they set a new record with the 2025-26 season being the first where Canadian Hockey League players are eligible to play NCAA hockey. Four picks played in one of the three Canadian junior leagues last season. Before this year, CHL players were banned from playing in the NCAA because they were considered professionals by the governing body of college athletics since they received stipends from their junior teams.

Here’s a look at the eight current and future Wolverines who were selected:

Forward Will Horcoff: First round, No. 24 overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh traded up to select the 6-foot-5 Horcoff, who joined the Wolverines midway through last season and chipped in four goals and six assists in 18 games. He has an NHL pedigree, with his father, Shawn Horcoff, playing over 1,000 games in the league and currently holding the position of assistant general manager for the Detroit Red Wings.

Will was playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program last season before jumping to the college ranks in January.

“I think his size is the biggest factor, but it’s what he does with it too,” FloHockey NHL prospects analyst Chris Peters said of Horcoff. “The physicality he’s able to play with, the fact that he transitioned to college hockey, and the first few games there were a couple instances where college athletes are bouncing off of him and you’re just like, ‘Well, this is different. He’s built a little different.’

“I think the NHL pedigree absolutely helps. I think teams like his character. They like the athleticism that he displays and the strength he has. I think the offensive upside and the offensive ceiling is a bit lower, but at the same time, at the end of the first round, especially in this draft class, you’re just trying to find NHL players. I think that his physical profile and how he’s progressed so far over the last couple of years does suggest high NHL potential.”

Forward Malcolm Spence: Second round, No. 43 overall to the New York Rangers

The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder brings an element to Michigan’s lineup that it was lacking last season: a power forward willing to go to the hard areas of ice. Most experts had him projected as a first-round pick, so the Rangers appeared to get good value at No. 43.

Spence is making the jump from the Ontario Hockey League, where he had 32 goals and 73 points in 65 games last season for the Erie Otters.

“I think adding Malcolm Spence was a very important addition for (Michigan’s) staff because you’ve got a lot of guys with a lot of skill on the roster, but you need to get some guys that have some of that grind to their game,” Peters said. “That’s what Malcolm Spence brings in addition to having the skill and scoring ability with his size and the pace that he plays with. I think he’s gonna make an impact on the physical side of things, which is really helpful.”

Forward Cole McKinney: Second round, No. 53 to the San Jose Sharks

McKinney was teammates with Horcoff last season with the NTDP, leading the team with 61 points in 60 games. The 6-foot Illinois native is expected to slot in as the team’s No. 2 or No. 3 center next season and plays a well-rounded 200-foot game.

“I really like the way that he plays,” Peters said. “I think that he has real good two-way sense. He’s a hard-worker, does have skill. I thought he was one of the NTDP’s best players this year down the stretch.”

Goalie Jack Ivankovic: Second round, No. 58 to the Nashville Predators

The Predators helped develop Juuse Saros into one of the top goalies in the NHL despite him being undersized at 5-foot-11. They are taking another gamble on a smaller goalie in Ivankovic, who likely will begin next season as Michigan’s starting after playing the 2024-25 campaign with the Brampton Steelheads in the OHL. He is listed at 6-foot but has all the other tools teams covet in a goalie.

“It’s only the size, I promise you,” analyst Sam Cosentino said on the NHL Network draft broadcast. “His technical game, his winning pedigree, the way he’s a teammate, his character all fit what you want in a No. 1 goalie. But because of the size, everyone backed off. In my opinion, this guy was right on the fringes of the first round, especially because of that winning pedigree and all that he’s done with Team Canada. I think this is a steal of a pick here.”

Defenseman Drew Schock: Fourth round, No. 101 to the Anaheim Ducks

Schock is another NTDP product, registering nine goals and 37 points in 66 games last season. His father, Harold, also played at Michigan, winning a national championship in 1997.

“He does a lot of things well,” Peters said. “There’s not one elite trait about him, but he does so many things well. I think he reads plays really well. Good gap control, good mobility, plays physical when he needs to, can be relied on in all situations. He’s a guy that I do think could potentially make a more immediate impact on the blue line.”

Forward Jimmy Lombardi: Fourth round, No. 125 to the Los Angeles Kings

Lombardi isn’t signed for next season, so Michigan can’t acknowledge his commitment, but he recently verbally pledged to the Wolverines for the 2026-27 campaign. The 18-year-old will play one more year with the Flint Firebirds in the OHL, where he registered 13 goals and 45 assists in 63 games in 2024-25.

Forward Asher Barnett: Fifth round, No. 131 to the Edmonton Oilers

Yes, Barnett also played with the development program last season and will have plenty of familiarity with several of his new teammates. He had eight goals and 22 points in 58 games and also served as captain for Team USA at the IIHF World U18 Championship this spring.

“I think is kind of a simple what you see is what you get kind of player,” Peters said. “He’s effective. He’s reliable. I think he’s pretty smart. He’s decently mobile. He’s probably gonna be one of those guys where his impact’s gonna be felt more in the coming years.”

Forward Aidan Park: Seventh round, No. 233 to the Edmonton Oilers

The 6-foot-1, 188-pound center was the second-to-last pick in the draft. Park, 19, was draft-eligible last year and didn’t get selected but had a strong season with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, where he had 33 goals and 33 assists in 55 games.

“I think Park is really intriguing,” Peters said. “The high skill level that he has, he obviously had an explosive season this year. He fits into the mold of the kind of team that Michigan has with the skill. There’s so much skill in that lineup, and he just adds another piece to it. I think his impact will probably be felt more as a sophomore and junior than as a freshman.”