College Sports

Three players from Hockey East selected in first round of NHL Draft

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 […]

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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.

Boston University’s Sacha Boumedienne, taken in the first round of the NHL Draft by Winnipeg on Friday, was youngest player in college hockey last season. Gregory Payan/Associated Press

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.





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