College Sports
NHL Draft Confidential 2025: What insiders think of Matthew Schaefer, goalies and more
Today, we bring you our annual NHL Draft Confidential. You know where people like me stand on the players and the draft, but today we turn to the NHL, and the people who will ultimately decide where these players land, for their thoughts on the big questions facing this draft class. Numerous NHL evaluators were […]

Today, we bring you our annual NHL Draft Confidential. You know where people like me stand on the players and the draft, but today we turn to the NHL, and the people who will ultimately decide where these players land, for their thoughts on the big questions facing this draft class. Numerous NHL evaluators were surveyed for this article. As a note, “Scout 1” in a given question does not refer to the same Scout 1 in another question.
Scouts and executives were granted anonymity in order to speak freely about the prospects in question.
The most interesting debate in this year’s draft, as it is with most drafts, is what happens at the very top. Most expect Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer to be the first pick. Then there’s a big group of forwards after him. Who will be the first forward taken? How close is the grouping? Does anyone have a forward ahead of Schaefer? We asked the NHL.
Scout 1: “Misa would be our top forward followed by (James) Hagens but there’s a sizable gap from Schaefer to those guys.”
Scout 2: “We have Schaefer, then a gap. (Anton) Frondell is No. 2 for us. He’s a potential (Aleksander) Barkov/(Anze) Kopitar type of forward.”
Scout 3: “(Michael) Misa should be No. 1, even ahead of Schaefer. I don’t understand why he’s not getting as much hype as previous top OHL guys, when he’s been just as good, if not better, than some of the top Ontario kids in recent years. He could be an NHL superstar.”
Executive 1: “Schaefer is the best player in the draft. It’s not close, quite frankly. After that, Misa is the top forward, but it’s close. He has the best chance to be a No. 1 center, all-around player who scores a lot.”
Scout 4: “Schaefer is the top player by a good margin, then it would either be Frondell or Hagens. Misa I think is getting overrated — his compete level is average and he’s not as dynamic as some portray.”
Scout 5: “Martone is the best forward in this draft, and I think in the playoffs he will show he has as much value as Schaefer. He’s a competitor who plays a style that will translate to success when the chips are down.”
Scout 6: “Misa and Schaefer would be neck and neck for me. I would lean Misa. Misa has the potential to be a star No. 1 center, and that’s the harder player to find compared to a No. 1 D, even if both are very valuable. (Caleb) Desnoyers would be third, then. He’s a great all-around center, a guy you win with.”
Executive 2: “Schaefer, then a gap to Misa, then a gap to the rest. (Roger) McQueen would have been in the group with Misa if he was healthy.”
Executive 3: “Schaefer and Misa are clearly ahead of the rest of the pack. Then it would be some order of Hagens, (Jake) O’Brien and Martone. Desnoyers and Frondell are nice players, but we worry about their offensive upside.”
Executive 4: “Schaefer and Misa distinguished themselves from the pack. Then it’s Desnoyers and Frondell in a group with Martone on the edge of that group. I expect that combination of players will make up the first five picks.”
Scout 7: “It goes Schaefer, then O’Brien, and then Frondell. O’Brien is so talented, has a lot of upside, and a lot of physical development left to go.”
Scout 8: “Schaefer is in a group by himself, then I would have Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone and Misa all closely bunched together. My lean would be towards Desnoyers as the best of that bunch. He’s a winner who does a lot of things very well.”
Scout 9: “Schaefer is the top player. Misa could get close, he is extremely talented, although he is inconsistent and has some bad habits. The top forward is between Misa and Desnoyers, but you have to take Misa after the year he had.”
Executive 5: “After Schaefer/Misa, Brady Martin is right in the mix with that next group, may even be at the top. He looks very similar to what Sam Bennett has become.”
Scout 10: “Schaefer and Misa are the clear top two players. After that I would have Desnoyers, Frondell, O’Brien and Martin in a close group together.”
Scout 11: “Schaefer is the best player in the draft, then I would have Desnoyers at 2. He does so much well, he could be a player you build around.”
Executive 6: “Schaefer is the clear No. 1. Then it would be a group of Misa, Desnoyers, Frondell and Martin for me. It’s funny because I think Hagens could potentially outscore all of those forwards by the end of their careers, but you’re trying to build a team that wins playoff rounds, and those guys bring different elements.”
Schaefer is by leaps and bounds the top defense prospect in this draft. No other defenseman is expected to go in the top five. But the second defenseman to be picked will be interesting, and we expect another one will go in the top 10. So we asked people in the league for their second-ranked defender.
Executive 1: “Kashawn Aitcheson is an apex predator. He knocks a guy out with a hit, and then he knocks out the guy who comes calling for the fight afterwards. There’s nobody in a top four in the NHL who plays like him. If you want his attributes, it’s normally in a No. 6 or 7, but he is a top-four defenseman, a better version of Radko Gudas.”
Scout 1: “Mrtka will give you the least headaches of the top candidates. He’s poised, makes good plays at both ends, just a very good all-around defenseman. Aitcheson’s and Smith’s hockey sense are concerning.”
Scout 2: “Mrtka is clearly the top guy. He transformed Seattle when he got there.”
Executive 2: “Smith. He’s a better skater than Aitcheson or Mrtka. He has the most skill of all of them. His decisions aren’t the best, but he has the most pro potential.”
Executive 3: “Smith. He’s big and such a good skater, competes, has offense. There’s no miss factor with him.”
Scout 3: “Mrtka is going to play 1,000 games and just eat up minutes. You wished he played a bit harder, but he has successful pro written all over him.”
NHL teams will at least somewhat follow public discourse. So I asked people around the league who are some top prospects for this draft that they feel the public is overrating.
Scout 1: “Victor Eklund. He’s a small winger without elite offense, those types tend to fall. He’s top 10 on almost every list, but I can almost guarantee that won’t happen on draft day.”
Scout 2: “Lynden Lakovic. His compete is an issue, doesn’t get to the middle and lack of physical engagement, and his hockey sense is ordinary. He’s more of a late first-rounder than a top-15 pick.”
Scout 3: “Cullen Potter is a one-dimensional offensive guy. His skating is elite, but his compete is average and he doesn’t make many plays.”
Scout 4: “Cameron Schmidt. The lists that have him as a first-rounder are way off. He’s talented, but he has a lot of issues in his game. He’s probably going in the third round.”
Scout 5: “Schmidt. He’s not special enough of a scorer for where people have him rated. He’s skilled and can shoot, but he slowed down a lot in the second half, and his hockey sense is questionable. I’m not even sure I would draft him.”
Executive 1: “Ivan Ryabkin. We wouldn’t even draft him. His compete and habits are pretty bad, and he’s not a great skater for his size.”
Scout 6: “Radim Mrtka. He’s not that smart or competitive. I get he’s big and skates well, but he’s nothing special other than that. More of a teens pick than a top-10 type.”
Scout 7: “Kashawn Aitcheson has major questions for us in terms of his hockey sense and decisions. You love how hard he plays, but he’s not that big either. He’s good but nothing special.”
Executive 2: “People need to slow down on the Brady Martin hype because he had a good U18s. He’s super likable because he hits a lot of guys and has skill, but he’s not a smart player and probably a middle-six wing in the NHL.”
Executive 3: “Desnoyers and Frondell are both being oversold a bit. They’re good players who compete but don’t have high-end hockey sense. They are second-line centers at best in the NHL. I would much rather bet on guys like Hagens, Martone or O’Brien.”
On the other side of the coin, who does the league feel is not getting enough love?
Scout 1: “Cameron Reid. He’s an elite skating defenseman with good enough skill and sense. He’s not a big points guy in the NHL, but he can be successful in the NHL.”
Scout 2: “Caleb Desnoyers. See him listed often as a 6-10 guy, would say he’s a lot closer to top five. He’s a well-rounded center with very good puck play and size — he will go in the first few picks.”
Scout 3: “Cole McKinney. Don’t see him talked about a lot. He was very good the last few months of the season, helped turn that NTDP team around.”
Executive 1: “Blake Fiddler has a lot more of an identity than some of the other top-ranked defensemen. He’s not flashy, but he’s hard and can skate and has enough skill. I bet NHL coaches will love him even if he’s not a big points type.”
Scout 4: “People are underrating how high (Justin) Carbonneau in Blainville will go. He does a lot of things NHL teams will love and will translate to the playoffs. He’s a handful to contain, he hits guys, skates well and has legit offense.”
Scout 5: “Jack Nesbitt had a bad U18s, but before that, I thought he had a chance to be a top 10-12 pick. I bet he still goes top 20. He’s a big, heavy center with a lot of skill who did a lot of important things for that Windsor team.”
One of the more fascinating prospects in this year’s draft is Mason West. He is a 6-foot-6 center who played high school hockey in Minnesota. He’s a projected late first/high second-round pick by NHL teams. However, he also has offers to play college football as a quarterback.
Scout 1: “He’s a fantastic athlete. Go look up highlights of the way he can throw a football. He’s just so talented. If he commits to hockey and can iron out some details, he has a lot of NHL potential. He’s a first-round talent if he’s a hockey player.”
Executive 1: “We’re just not in love with the hockey player. He’s tall and fast, but he plays on the outside a lot, and he’s not overly physical. He’s at best a second-round talent who you’re now not sure if he’s playing hockey or not. He’s telling everyone he intends to play football in the fall, then go to the USHL.”
Scout 2: “He didn’t have a great overall season, but the way he ended it was very convincing between his high school playoffs and in the USHL. He looks like an NHL player.”
Executive 2: “It seems he’s trending towards being a hockey player. He doesn’t have QB offers from major schools. But that could change. My biggest concern is you use a high pick on him and then Minnesota offers him a scholarship to be their QB, and then I think he would go that way.”
Executive 3: “It doesn’t seem like he’s a premier quarterback recruit. His combine interview will be critical. If he switches positions in football, he could be a higher-tier recruit. What sport is he truly invested in?”
We are near the end of the survey by quickly hitting on the goalie crop. Almost everybody agrees Joshua Ravensbergen is the top goaltender this year. We asked where teams would be comfortable taking him, and who would be their next name.
Executive 1: “Ravensbergen is a late one/high two type of goalie. The two Russian goalies, Semyon Frolov and Pyotr Andreyanov, look so good on video. If we felt comfortable taking Russians, we would have them as second-round picks.”
Executive 2: “We don’t love Ravensbergen like some others. He’s a maybe first-rounder for us. The London guy, Alexei Medvedev, would be our next guy. He’s very athletic. I wouldn’t say he’s truly elite at anything but very good at everything.”
Scout 1: “Ravensbergen is a late first type of goalie. He’s so big and athletic. Then there’s a drop to Frolov, then a drop to everyone else.”
Executive 3: “Ravensbergen is a mid-first. We think he has starting goalie potential. Then it’s Frolov, who I love. If we got live views I could see us talk him into a first-rounder. He has a ton of talent and structure in his game.”
Executive 4: “I’m a little hesitant on the Ravensbergen hype. He had a lot of tough stretches this season. We don’t have any goalie rated in the first, but the closest would be one of the Russian goalies, and we would lean towards Frolov.”
Finally, we end on a flash poll, where I ask evaluators who are the best prospects in the class at various traits.
Best skater
• Matthew Schaefer (Unanimous vote)
Best hands
• James Hagens (Unanimous vote)
Best hockey sense
• Jake O’Brien (Majority votes)
• Matthew Schaefer (Multiple votes)
Best compete level
• Brady Martin (Majority votes)
• Kashawn Aitcheson (Multiple votes)
Best shot
• Anton Frondell (Majority votes)
• Kashawn Aitcheson
• Victor Eklund
• Cameron Schmidt
(Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; photos of Radim Mrtka, Matthew Schaefer, Joshua Ravensbergen: Michael Miller / Getty, Leila Devlin / Getty)
College Sports
McKenna will be ‘really fun to watch,’ Penn State coach says
He dominated junior hockey last season, finishing second in the Western Hockey League with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games with Medicine Hat, and was third in the WHL playoffs with 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 games to help the Tigers win the league championship. McKenna won the Four […]

He dominated junior hockey last season, finishing second in the Western Hockey League with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games with Medicine Hat, and was third in the WHL playoffs with 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 games to help the Tigers win the league championship.
McKenna won the Four Broncos Trophy as WHL Player of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award, and helped Medicine Hat reach the championship game at the Memorial Cup, a 4-1 loss to London where McKenna scored the Tigers’ only goal.
“He’s done very, very well in the CHL,” Gadowsky said. “I think he’s looking for a new challenge. I think he loves the fact that he would be the very first. And I think he’s seen the support that Penn State hockey gets and Penn State University gets, and I think that fits him very well.”
Gadowsky is preaching patience for McKenna, who won’t turn 18 until Dec. 20.
“College is different, so there’s a transition,” Gadowsky said. “And there’s not only a transition to college hockey, there’s a transition to college, there’s a transition, albeit a very exciting, fun one, to State College. … I think that we have really good players on this team, really good people, and I think they’re looking forward to helping him navigate and enjoy all of those things.
“So what can we do? I think we can be a little patient. You can’t just expect anybody to come in and just pick things up from a college hockey perspective, a college perspective, or a State College/Penn State perspective. It takes some time. I think it’s something he’s very much looking forward to, and it’s going to be fun. But I think what we can do is to remember that no one gets it all right away and take some time.”
McKenna won’t be alone in making the adjustment. Joining him in the incoming freshman class is defenseman Jackson Smith, selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 14 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft, and Calgary Flames forward prospect Luke Misa; each of them starred in the CHL last season, Smith with Tri-City in the WHL and Misa with Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League.
Penn State also is coming off the first Frozen Four appearance in the history of the program, which moved to the NCAA Division I level in 2012.
However, only McKenna had his college decision shown on national television.
“His trajectory is generational because when you compare where he is at the same age to some of these other players to get to the NHL as 18-year-olds and have an impact, he’s on that same path,” NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory said. “When you think of the key skills you have to have in the NHL … you have to be smart, you have to be able to skate and you have to be able to compete. Those three important skills are maybe his three best skills, so we’re not even talking about how great his hands are.
“We don’t use the term ‘five-tool player’ in hockey as much as you hear it used in other sports, but McKenna’s one of those guys. He’s got it.”
College Sports
Official Site of The ECHL
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings and American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign, announced that forward Ryan O’Reilly has signed a contract for the 2025-26 season, his first full campaign as a professional. O’Reilly comes to the Swamp Rabbits after suiting up for his first […]
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings and American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign, announced that forward Ryan O’Reilly has signed a contract for the 2025-26 season, his first full campaign as a professional.
O’Reilly comes to the Swamp Rabbits after suiting up for his first professional action with the Orlando Solar Bears at the end of last season. He turned professional last season after completing his fifth and final NCAA season with Providence College, earning 15 points (6g-9a) in 26 contests with a finish in the NCAA Tournament. He made his professional debut on April 2 at Atlanta at earned his first professional goal in the last game of the regular season on April 13 at Jacksonville. After appearing in six regular-season games, O’Reilly then skated in seven games in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
A native of Southlake, Texas, O’Reilly played an additional four college seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils, and completed his college career with 64 points (32g-32a) in 153 games. Prior to pursuing college hockey, he played four United States Hockey League seasons with the Madison Capitols, Fargo Force and Green Bay Gamblers, finishing with 98 points in 152 games. In 2018, he garnered USHL All-Rookie Second Team recognition and was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (98th overall) of the NHL Entry Draft.
College Sports
Penn State Is The Best In College Football
The collection of college football media that has Penn State as the preseason No. 1 team or at least the team to beat continues to grow. Phil Steele has Penn State as his No. 1 team and feels this squad will capture the program’s first national championship since 1986. Joining Steele is ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, […]

The collection of college football media that has Penn State as the preseason No. 1 team or at least the team to beat continues to grow.
Phil Steele has Penn State as his No. 1 team and feels this squad will capture the program’s first national championship since 1986.
Joining Steele is ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who on their morning show Get Up picked Penn State as the best team in the country.
In the segment “Heather’s Heaters,” the question was will the SEC fail to win the national championship in a third consecutive season, and Orlovsky agreed.
“I think Penn State is one of the if not the best team in college football,” Orlovsky said. “Obviously Ohio State will be there, we have to see what happens about the quarterback position (Ohio State has not named a starter between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Keinholz). I think Illinois will be awesome in the Big Ten. There are a lot of players in the Big Ten.”
Orlovsky mentioned the SEC will be amongst the top conferences. The SEC won six of the first 10 national championships in the first College Football Playoff format.
Clemson being a team that can contend for a national championship has LSU in Week 1, a team Orlovsky feels will be a thorn in Big Ten and SEC teams’ side. Steele has Clemson finishing No. 2 in the country.
Penn State opens its season August 30 against Nevada in Beaver Stadium.
College Sports
Matt Curley Named Associate Head Coach of Nanooks Hockey
Story Links FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks hockey program has officially announced the hiring of Matt Curley as its new associate head coach. Curley joins the Nanooks after four seasons as general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Matt Curley to the Alaska […]

FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks hockey program has officially announced the hiring of Matt Curley as its new associate head coach. Curley joins the Nanooks after four seasons as general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Matt Curley to the Alaska Nanooks as our associate head coach,” said head coach Erik Largen. “Matt brings a wealth of experience—from winning international medals with USA Hockey, to coaching in the USHL, NCAA, and Europe. He’s a proven leader who’s developed players at every level, and his time as a head coach at UAA gives him unique insight into what it takes to build and sustain a successful program in Alaska. Even more important than his resume is the kind of person he is. Matt is an unbelievable person, hardworking, and deeply committed to mentoring young men both on and off the ice. He builds strong relationships, brings out the best in his players, and leads with integrity. We’re fortunate to add someone of his caliber to our staff and excited for the future of Nanooks Hockey.”
Curley served as head coach and GM of the Des Moines Buccaneers from 2021–2025. Before his time in the USHL, he was head coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2018–2021 and spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Bentley University from 2013–2015. Between his first two NCAA stints, Curley was the head coach for RB Hockey Juniors in Austria, spending 2015-18 there.
His resume also includes several years on the international stage with USA Hockey, serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 national teams during the 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2021–22, and 2022–23 seasons.
A native of Madrid, N.Y., Curley played four seasons at Clarkson University (2003–2007) and won the 2006-07 ECAC Tournament. Following college, he had a two-year professional career that included stints in the SPHL, IHL, and ECHL.
“I couldn’t be happier to be coming back to the state of Alaska, a place that has always felt like home to me,” said Curley. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Largen, the rest of the Nanooks hockey staff and players. It is a privilege to be a part of a program that is so strongly supported by the community and University. I am looking forward to contributing towards the continued growth and development of Nanooks hockey.”
Curley’s combination of experience and leadership is expected to assist the Nanooks continue building momentum in years to come.
Follow the ‘Nooks
IG – @NanooksHockey
X – @NanooksHockey
FB – Alaska Nanooks Hockey
College Sports
SWFL coach helps local kids aim for soccer success and college dreams
Fort Myers, FL (33916) Today Locally heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Locally heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low […]


Fort Myers, FL
(33916)
Today
Locally heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..
Tonight
Locally heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Updated: July 15, 2025 @ 4:26 pm
College Sports
Corbo, Lemieux and Zalc Named Stats Perform Preseason All-Americans
HANOVER, N.H. — Three members of the Dartmouth football team have been named Stats Perform Preseason All-Americans, as announced by the organization on Tuesday. Tight end Chris Corbo and offensive lineman Delby Lemieux were named to the first team, with placekicker Owen Zalc earning second-team honors. The three honorees mark the most in the Ivy […]

Following last season, Corbo was a first team All-Ivy honoree, while also earning first team All-America by the AFCA and Walter Camp. He enjoyed a stellar junior season, leading the Big Green with seven touchdown receptions — the most by a Dartmouth player since Drew Estrada had eight in 2019. Corbo was also an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. His 32 receptions were second on the team, while his 315 yards were third. Corbo had a touchdown in seven of the 10 games in a remarkably consistent season. His seven receiving touchdowns were second nationally amongst tight ends, while his 1.4 touchdowns per game lead the country amongst his position.
An AP honorable mention All-American in 2024, Lemieux was first team All-Ivy while also garnering second team All-America recognition from FCS Football Central. As an anchor of the offensive line, the Big Green finished top 20 nationally in fewest sacks allowed while finishing third in the Ivy League in rushing offense (166.5 yards per game).
The reigning Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Year, Zalc finished the 2024 season 13-of-17 on field goals, with impressive range. Zalc knocked through a program-record 54-yard field goal against Harvard. At Merrimack, he had a 50-yarder, while also converting the game-winning 32-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to wrap up a hard-fought 16-14 win. Also a first team All-Ivy honoree for a second straight season, Zalc was named Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week three times — following that Merrimack win, the following week after Penn and after the record kick against the Crimson.
Dartmouth football fans can get a jump on the 2025 season by securing their season tickets and group tickets for the fall when the Big Green attempt to defend their Ivy League title. Click here for more information.
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