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, physical tools, and high hockey IQ. He plays a strong two-way game, leveraging his size, mobility, and advanced puck-moving abilities to excel both defensively and offensively. Trethewey has demonstrated significant maturity in his game, particularly in his defensive reads, positioning, and decision-making under pressure. His combination of physicality, puck skills, and hockey sense makes him one of the top defensemen in his draft class.
Strengths:
- Elite Passing and Puck Movement:
- Trethewey excels in transitioning the puck out of the defensive zone with precise, hard passes that consistently hit forwards in stride. He has the vision to execute long stretch passes and quick outlets, allowing his team to generate offense quickly. His ability to move the puck efficiently through the neutral zone sets him apart as a high-end puck mover.
- He completes 86% of his passes, a strong number for a defenseman at this level, and can further elevate his impact on the power play with improved precision.
- Defensive Awareness and Positioning:
- Trethewey shows excellent defensive awareness, using his long reach to intercept passes and angle opponents to the boards. He plays a mature, composed game in his own zone, consistently making smart reads and avoiding unnecessary risks.
- His ability to win puck battles (68% win rate) and recover defensive zone rebounds demonstrates his strong anticipation and competitiveness in high-pressure situations.
- Physicality and Net-Front Presence:
- At 6’1″ and 190 pounds, Trethewey plays with a physical edge, delivering bone-crushing hits and being tough to play against in the defensive zone. He effectively clears the crease, making life difficult for opposing forwards trying to screen the goalie or get second-chance opportunities.
- His physicality complements his overall defensive game, as he isn’t just relying on size—he uses his strength intelligently to win puck battles and maintain control in tough areas.
- Mobility and Four-Way Skating:
- Trethewey possesses strong four-way mobility, which allows him to close gaps quickly, transition smoothly, and control play at both ends of the ice. His skating is balanced, and he has the ability to evade forecheckers and make plays under pressure.
- Offensively, his skating allows him to hold the blue line effectively, using subtle movements to create shooting lanes and distribute the puck.
- Offensive Instincts and Power Play Potential:
- Trethewey is a confident power play quarterback, showing poise and creativity at the blue line. His heavy shot and quick puck movement make him a dangerous presence on the man advantage.
- He averaged 2:25 of power play time per game last season and demonstrated a knack for generating secondary scoring opportunities with his point shots and playmaking.
Areas for Improvement:
- Shot Volume and Accuracy:
- While Trethewey generates 3.8 shot attempts per game, only 2.4 of those reach the net while having 0.77 shots per game blocked, indicating room for improvement in his shot selection and accuracy. To be an elite offensive defenseman at the NHL level, he will need to get more pucks through traffic and on target, particularly on the power play.
- Lateral Mobility and Transitions:
- Though Trethewey’s overall mobility is a strength, his lateral quickness and backward acceleration are still developing. He occasionally plays a looser gap to compensate for this, which can give opposing forwards too much time and space on the rush.
- Improving his transitions, particularly when defending against fast and skilled forwards, will help him elevate his defensive game to the next level.
- Offensive Consistency:
- Trethewey has the tools to be an offensive catalyst, but scouts will be watching to see if he can consistently assert himself as a top-tier puck mover in transition. Becoming more aggressive in joining the rush and creating scoring opportunities will be key to unlocking his full offensive potential.
- Passing Efficiency on the Power Play:
- While his overall passing percentage is strong, Trethewey will need to continue to work on improving his power play decisions, particularly under pressure from aggressive penalty killers. Maximizing his passing efficiency will be crucial to his success in a top-pairing role in the NHL.
- Discipline and Penalty Management:
- Trethewey’s physicality is a key asset, but he will need to balance it with discipline. Ensuring that his open ice hits are well-timed with tight back pressure will help him stay effective without hurting his team with odd man rushes.
Projection:
Trethewey projects as a top-pairing, two-way defenseman at the NHL level, capable of playing key minutes in all situations. His ability to impact the game in all three zones, combined with his physicality and high-end puck-moving skills, makes him an enticing prospect with the potential to become a cornerstone defenseman for an NHL team. If he can address the areas for improvement in his game, particularly his lateral mobility and offensive consistency, Trethewey has the potential to develop into a top-five selection in the 2025 NHL Draft and a long-term impact player at the professional level.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images