Kashawn Aitcheson (D, L, 6’1″, 198, Barrie Colts, 09/21/2006) Kashawn Aitcheson is a candidate to be a top 15 selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, with a skill set that…

Login/Logout
Kashawn Aitcheson (D, L, 6’1″, 198, Barrie Colts, 09/21/2006) Kashawn Aitcheson is a candidate to be a top 15 selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, with a skill set that…
Maxim A. Gusev (D, L, 6’1″, 194, SKA-Yunior Krasnogorsk, 10/19/2006) Maxim A. Gusev has emerged as a potential first-round selection for the 2025 NHL Draft due to his impressive combination…
Filip Holst-Persson (C, L, 5’11”, 161, Lulea HF J20, 10/09/2006) Filip Holst-Persson, at 5’11”,160-pounds, presents a strong case as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft due to…
Charlton Trethewey (D, R, 6’1″, 191, NTDP U18, 08/02/2007, Boston University) Charlie Trethewey projects as a potential top-five selection in the 2025 NHL Draft due to his well-rounded skill set,…
Oliwer Sjostrom (D, L, 5’10”, 176, Lulea HF J20, 04/08/2007) Oliwer Sjostrom, a 5’10”, 175-pound left-shot defenseman, has emerged as a potential first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft due…
Connor Davis (RW, R, 6’1″, 185, Salisbury School, 11/09/2006) Davis, a 6’1′, 185-pound right-shot winger, is an intriguing prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. With a strong combination of size,…
Grayden Robertson-Palmer (C, L, 5’11”, 199, Andover Academy, 08/29/2007, Dartmouth) Grayden Robertson-Palmer, a 5’11’, 200-pound left-shot forward, is a promising prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. His ability to play…
Everett Baldwin (D, R, 5’11”, 169, St. George’s School, 01/15/2007, Providence) Everett Baldwin is a 5’11’, 175-pound right-shot defenseman who has emerged as a solid NHL Draft prospect for 2025….
Porter Martone (RW, R, 6’3″, 196, Brampton Steelheads, 10/26/2006) Porter Martone, a 6’3″, 200-pound right-shot right wing, is emerging as a top candidate for the 2025 NHL Draft, with a…
Filip Ekberg (LW, L, 5’10”, 165, Almtuna IS J20, 04/14/2007) Filip Ekberg is a 5’10”, 165-pound left-shot forward who projects as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft….
Sascha Boumedienne (D, L, 6’1″, 175, Boston University, 01/17/2007, Boston University) Sascha Boumedienne, a 6’1″, 175-pound left-shot defenseman, is a potential top ten selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Heading…
Focusing on Team Finland
2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Fifteen names to know heading into the 2025 NHL Draft season
As someone who was drafted 107th overall in 1990 and spent 13 years in the league I can tell you that it’s damn difficult to play a single game in the NHL never mind have a multi-contract career. There will be some insanely talented players who never earn a sniff at a game and then there will be some average skilled insanely ultra competitive players who carve out a career. I personally fell into the averagely skilled ultra competitive category.
Consistent physicality and finishing body checks is a crucial skill and mindset for a National Hockey League career because it establishes a player as someone who will do whatever it takes to impact the game and win. This relentless style of play not only intimidates opponents but also demonstrates a commitment to defensive responsibility and team toughness, making such a player invaluable to their team’s success and resilience in the highly competitive environment of the NHL.
The combination of skill, grit, and potentially intimidation are nice combinations for a successful National Hockey League career.
Defensemen standing 6’0″ or shorter face significant challenges in carving out a National League career. Given that the average NHL player stands at 6’1.5″ and weighs 207 pounds, undersized defensemen must possess exceptional attributes to compete at the highest level. Below is the list of Neutral Zone’s 6’0″ and under defensemen who are ranked in our top 300 for the 2024 NHL draft.
Below is a list of players who might not be the most glamorous players in the game but each has continued to work and develop their craft so that they could be valuable pieces to an organization.
A handful of the players listed below will hear their names called during the 2024 draft, but the vast majority of them will not. There is no doubt that some of these players you will never hear from again, nonetheless after watching these athletes throughout the past few seasons Neutral Zone feels these players should continue to be tracked.
Highest scoring forwards who are not ranked in the 1st round
In the 2023 NHL Draft, five players under 5’9″and under were selected. Below are Neutral Zone’s highest rated players who are 5’9″ and smaller.