2025 USHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2025 USHL Draft has future NHL talent on display with prospects in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: May 6, 2025.

1. Omaha Lancers: Thaddeus McMahon, D, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 161 lb Thaddeus McMahon had 8 goals, 54 assists, 62 points, 94 penalty minutes, and a +39 +/- ratio in 60 games with the Chicago Mission Under 15 AAA Bantam Team. Thaddeus McMahon has exceptional production for a defenseman.
   
   
   
   Thaddeus McMahon has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. He's able to make quick reeads at top speed to facilitate zone entries for his teams. He loves to join on offense. He can push past forwards on both ends as far as offense and defense goes. He will crush his opponents on the boards. He reminds me of Zayne Parekh who Calgary took ninth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. I believe Thaddeus McMahon will be picked in the first round of the 2027 NHL Entry Draft if he turns the Omaha Lancers around in the USHL. He's a talented two way defenseman. He can run your power play, but he was second on the Chicago Mission Under 15 AAA Bantam Team in penalty minutes. He blocks shots well. Has traits to be a elite top end two-way defensemen. Skates well moves the puck well. He plays heavier than his size playing like someone who is 190 lbs despite being 160 lbs.
   
   
   
2. Chicago Steel: James Scantlebury, C, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Chicago Steel got the best player in the 2025 USHL Draft at 2 with their first round tender. James Scantlebury was the favorite to go first overall in the 2025 QMJHL Draft as he is currently the top center in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a tender with the Chicago Steel six days ago. He will follow in the footsteps of recent Chicago Steel centers that spurned the CHL such as Adam Fantilli who went third overall to Columbus in 2023 and Macklin Celebrini who went first overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   The 5-9 165 lb James Scantlebury was born in Montreal, Quebec. However he came to the United State to play hockey as James Scantlebury had 35 goals, 65 assists, and 100 points in 56 games with the Bishop Kerney Selects Under 16 AAA team in Rochester, New York playing against kids a year older than him. This made James Scantlebury eligible for both the 2025 USHL Draft and the 2025 QMJHL Draft as a duel citizen. James Scantlebury opted for the USHL route signing a contract with the Chicago Steel.
   
   
   
   James Scantlebury has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. He's a strong balanced skater. Quite the competitor. He dominated in the AAA showcase. James Scantlebury is a playmaker and the preliminary favorite to be the first center drafted in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft despite facing competiton from Alexis Joseph in the QMJHL, Rocco Pelosi on the United States National Team Developmental Program, and Kalen McGregor the first pick in the 2025 OHL Draft. Landon DuPont should go first overall, but James Scantlebury enters the USHL next year as a rookie as the defacto challenger to Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. His floor is Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings with his ceiling being Nate MacKinnon.
   
   
   
   Outside of Landon DuPont, James Scantlebury was the only player in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft that has had the words special player attached to him. I would argue that makes him the front runner to go second overall as long as he makes an impact with the Chicago Steel like other former Chicago Steel players such as Owen Power, Adam Fantili, and Macklin Celebrini did during their time with the Chicago Steel with two of those four being number one draft picks in two of the last four NHL Entry Drafts.
   
   
   
   The Chicago Steel got Trevor Shorter a 6-6 190 lb defenseman in the second round of the 2025 USHL Draft Draft. Some had Trevor Shorter in the top 10 of the 2025 USHL Draft and Trevor Shorter's older brother was a walk on with the Purdue Football team as he made the Purdue football team trying out for a roster. The Chicago Steel could potentially end up having 2 different first round picks in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft as I would argue James Scantlebury is your best center since Macklin Celebrini and Trevor Shorter is your best defenseman since Owen Power as Trevor Shorter is not NHL Draft eligible until 2028, meaning Shorter might be the first defenseman drafted in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Chicago got Reese Tracy a left winger and team captain of the Florida Everglades team captain with the versatility to play both left winger and right winger in the third round.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Des Moines Buccaneers: Ryland Rooney, LW, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-2 176 lb Ryland Rooney will be the first line left winger on the Des Moines Buccaneers complimenting first line right winger Blake Zielinski who had 13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +/- ratio of +5 as a rookie in 41 games.
   
   
   
   Ryland Rooney had 33 goals, 36 assists, 69 points, and 10 penalty minutes in 26 games with Gentry Academy in Minnesota. Ryland Rooney models his game after former Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vegas Golden Knights first line left winger James Neal who had a 15 year NHL career.
   
   
   
   James Neal was on the top line when the Dallas Stars made the 2008 Western Conference Finals from as James Neal pushed Loui Eriksson right out of the gate as a rookie. James Neal also mentored the eventual Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn when he first arrived in 2009 as Neal was on the Stars first line ahead of Benn when Benn first got there before Benn took Neal's job as the Dallas Stars first line left winger as James Neal was on Dallas from 2008-2011. James Neal also played on the first line with Sidney Crosby on the Pittsburgh Penguins first line from 2011-2014. James Neal was part of the Nashville Predators team that made the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals as a second line left winger behind Filip Forsberg before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. James Neal was the first line left winger on the Vegas Golden Knights when they made the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. He struggled with Calgary getting benched after one year on a team that was the best regular season Western Conference Team. He was a third line left winger in Edmonton and a fourth line left winger in St. Louis after declining in Calgary despite having a 15 year career. I just find it very fascinating that a player chose to model their game after James Neal who was a high end first line player in his prime, but never an All Star. James Neal had 40 goals, 41 assists, and 81 points in his first year with Crosby, but that was his peak in 2011-2012.
   
   
   
   Ryland Rooney has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. I think an underappreciated journeyman like James Neal is a cool player for Ryland Rooney to model his game after.
   
   
   
   Ryland Rooney was listed as a special player by the USHL. He's got to get bigger and refine his game in the USHL, but he could be a top 10 to top 15 pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. His anticipation and mental processing is through the roof as he was the number one or number two player according to most USHL scouts at the USHL Combine.
   
   
   
   Ryland Rooney described himself as a power forward. He likes to bring physicality to his game. He wants to grow with older guys on his team when it comes to hockey.
   
   
   
   Des Moines also got a good second round pick in Becher Wenhus. Coaches trusted him to play in key situations. Passes the puck like a pro as he's very mature. He's physical and stout.
   
   
   
4. Green Bay Gamblers: Gunnar Conboy, C, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Green Bay Gamblers get a center here. Gunnar Conboy was the captain of Lakeville North High School in Minnesota demonstrating strong leadership traits.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 174 lb Gunnar Conboy had 13 goals, 9 assists, 22 points, and 11 penalty minutes in 26 games as a freshman in 2023-2024. Gunnar Conboy got promoted to team aptain heading into his sophomore year at Lakevill North High School. Gunnar Conboy had 24 goals, 20 assists, 44 points, and 54 penalty minutes in 2024-2025. He led Lakeville North High School in scoring and points on a team with a .500 record.
   
   
   
   Gunnar Conboy has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Gunnar Conboy is someone who has leadership traits that USHl teams covet.
   
   
   
   He can play in a top 6 or bottom 6 role. Can be used as a first line center, second line center, third line center, and fourth line center. Is also versatile enough to play left winger and right winger. He can finish checks well.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: Braiden Scuderi, LW, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-7 154 lb Braiden Scuderi is the first player among the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA trio of forwards. Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA team had Braiden Scuderi as the first line left winger, Rocco Pelosi as their first line center, and Stephen Cover as their first line right winger. All three of these forwards had over 100 points for the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA team in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Braiden Scuderi had 59 goals, 78 assists, and 137 points in 64 games on the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 14 AAA team in 2023-2024. Braiden Scuderi had 47 goals, 80 assists, and 127 points in 61 games on the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA team in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 15, Braiden Scuderi has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the USHL. Braiden Scuderi models his game after former Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau with similar size, skating, and skill as the late Gaudreau.
   
   
   
   Braiden Scuderi proccesses the game pretty quickly. He's small, but pretty balanced. He looked like a man among boys a Nationals. He looked like he had something to prove. Tried out for the United States National Team Developmental Program, but didn't make the team. He's been described by scouts as a gamer.
   
   
   
   Cedar Rapids got Justin Lee the top goalie in the 2025 USHL Draft from Pittsburgh in the fourth round. Justin Lee was born in Pittsburgh, but played for both Dexter High School and Noble & Greenough school posting a .910 save percentage on both teams.
   
   
   
6. Tri-City Storm: Oliver Ozogany, C, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Tri-City Storm draft a center here. Oliver Ozogany is from Slovakia, but came to the united states to play hockey in America.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 174 lb Oliver Ozogany had 59 goals, 85 assists, and 144 points in 59 games with the Cleveland Barons Under 15 AAA Team. He also had 13 goals, 21 assists, and 34 points in 24 games with the Cleveland Barons Under 16 AAA Team after getting promoted.
   
   
   
   Oliver Ozogany has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Oliver Ozogany could be a top line guy ont he Tri-City Storm down the road. He can score in any of the three zones. One USHL scout said if there were no tenderrs in the USHl, Oliver Ozogany could have gone first overall in the 2025 USHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Oliver described his game as a guy with a good shot who can create plays for teammates. He helped the Cleveland Barons Under 15 Team go into the Mario Lemieux Sports Complex in Pittsburgh and defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins Under 15 AAA Bantam Team in a playoff game which has emerged as a power house in both the CHL and USHL. Oliver had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points against the Pittsburgh Penguins Under 15 AAA Bantam Team.
   
   
   
   Tri-City got defenseman Max Dessner in the second round as his confidence and poise is rare for someone in his age group. He plays with a lot of heart as he makes up for being undersized with his puck movement and relase.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Fargo Force: Caleb Deanovich, D, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 170 lb Caleb Deanovich had 15 goals, 24 assists, 39 points, 44 penalty minutes, and a +29 +/- ratio in 67 games for the Chicago Reapers Under 14 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Caleb Deanovich had 25 goals, 46 assists, 71 points, 50 penalty minutes, and a +30 +/- ratio in 70 gaes on the Chicago Reapers Under 15 AAA Team in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Caleb Deanovich has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Caleb Deanovich was ranked ahead of Thaddeus McMahon on some 2025 USHL Draft ranings.
   
   
   
   Caleb Deanovich led the CHicago Repaers Under 15 AAA Team to a National Championship in Bantam Hockey. He can already play 30 minutes a game as a 16 year old. Accurate passer. He's a competitive player.
   
   
   
8. Dubuque Fighting Saints: Colin Grubb, C, (2027) A Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 165 lb Colin Grubb had 42 goals, 60 assists, 102 points, and 8 penalty minutes in 57 games with Shattuck St Mary's Under 14 AAA in 2023-2024. Colin Grubb had 16 goals, 40 assists, 56 points, and 14 penalty minutes in 54 games on the Shattuck St. Mary's Under 16 AAA team in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Colin Grubb has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Colin Grubb's production dipped as he faced tougher competition.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Waterloo Blackhawks: Nash Roed, LW, (2028) C- Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 174 lb Nash Roed is kind or aw as Nolen Roed only had 11 goals, 14 assists, and 25 points in 27 games as a freshman at White Bear Lake High School in 2024-2025. Nash Roed is not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2028.
   
   
   
   He's got good size and strength. Got invited to the United States National Team Developmental Program camp, but did not make the USNTDP final roster. He was okay in the USNTDP camp, but didn't make any flashes.
   
   
   
10. Muskegon Lumberjacks: Ty Bergeron, C, (2027) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Muskegon Lumberjacks got their Sasha Boisvert replacement in Tynan Lawrence, whose a top 11 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Rudolfs Berzkalns had a rough rookie season, so Ty Bergeron could end up pushing Rudolfs Berzkalns for the Muskegon Lumberbacks second line center job. Ryder Cali and Keaton Martin. I picked Muskegon to win the 2025 Clarke Cup in the USHL this year if you read my draft last year. Muskegon is playing the Waterloo Blackhawks in this years Clarke Cup. You can check out my archive of the 2024 USHL Draft if you don't believe me. Muskegon beat Dubuque in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals after losing to them in 2024. Muskegon plays a Waterloo Blackhawks team that upset the USHL's best regular season team in the Lincoln Stars.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 181 lb Ty Bergeron had 47 goals, 57 assists, and 104 points in 76 games with the Honeybaked Under 14 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Ty Bergon got promoted to team captain of the Honeybaked Under 15 AAA Team the following season and posted 46 goals, 61 assists, and 107 points in 69 games in 2024-2025. Ty Bergeron will push some of the centers that Muskegon got in the 2024 USHL Draft. He could also end up being eased in as a replacement to Tynan Lawrence. Muskegon is slowly building a pipeline of quality centers in the USHL like the Chicago Steel.
    
    
    
    Ty Bergeron was a preseason top 5 player for the 2025 USHL Draft. Scouts viewed him as the most honest player in the interview process. Has a high hockey IQ. Has exceptional maturity. He was a captain on Honeybaked and has potential to be th future captain of the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Madison Capitols: Stephen Cover, RW, (2027) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Madison Capitols get the second of the trio on the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA Team. Stephen Cover can play both center and right winger with his versatility, but he was mainly a right winger on the Mount St. Charles Academy.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 170 lb Stephen Cover had 45 goals, 60 assists, and 105 points in 64 games iwht the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 14 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Stephen Cover had 46 goals, 68 assists, and 114 points in 61 games with teh Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA Team in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Stephen Cover has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Stephen Cover gives the Madison Capitols a game changer at right winger. He's versatile enough to play center or right winger.
    
    
    
    Stephen Cover is a big game player. He shined in the playoffs for the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA Team. He plays a North South Game. He's got good size and strength. He's honest, competitive, hard working and he's versatile. He battles for pucks. May not get an assist, but sets up the big play. He's strong and has a willingness to battle. Stephen Cover got invited to the Madison Capitols camp last year. The Madison Capitols won the National Championship in High School hockey thanks to the Mount St. Charles Academy trio of Braiden Scuderi, Rocco Pelosi, and Stephen Cover.
    
    
    
    Stephen Cover models his game after former San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars right winger Joe Pavelski. He even got to meet Pavelski when Mount St. Charles Academy won the National Championship for High School hockey. Joe Pavelski also had the versatility to play both center and right winger despite right winger being his main position. He likes pasta, chicken parmasean, and spaghetti. Stephen Cover wants to bring the Clarke Cup to Madison. He was the only first round pick that mentioned winning the Clarke Cup as a team goal, so that stood out in a big way.
    
    
    
    Madison got defenseman Cameron Minella in the second round. He has to get more disciplined defensively. Aiden Mowrey of the Pittsburgh Penguins Under 15 AAA Bantam Team that practices at the Mario Lemeiux Sports Complex is already 6-3 190 lbs as a 15 year old defenseman. He could be a top 100 pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft because he will be around 6-5 210 lbs when he fills out his frame when he's 18. He could be 220 or 230 by the time he's 21 making Aiden Mowery a great fourth round pick for the Madison Capitols.
    
    
    
12. Sioux Falls Stampede: Ethan Sung, C, (2027) A- Grade
    
    
    The 5-7 159 lb Ethan Sung had 49 goals, 70 assists, and 119 points in 57 games on the Shattuck St. Mary's Under 14 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Ethan Sung only had 17 goals, 42 assists, and 59 points in 47 games on the Shattuck St. Mary's Under 16 AAA team in 2024-2025. He still averaged over a point per game, but struggled to score as consistently against tougher competition as he's undersized for a center.
    
    
    
    Ethan Sung scored two short-handed goals in the same penalty kill. Scouts were blowing up their phones when this happened. Ethan Sung has the brain to make it in the USHL despite not having ideal size.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Sioux City Musketeers: Daniil Butin, LW, (2027) B Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 161 lb Daniil Butin ahd 31 goals, 36 assists, 67 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 51 game with teh Long Island Gulls Under 15 AAA Team in 2024-2025. He struggled with the Long Island Gulls Under 16 AAA Team failing to score a goal as the Belarus native will join the USHL.
    
    
    
    He's got good size, he's a pretty fluid skater. He's got a grip factor and plays with some snarl. He's not thin, but needs to fill in his frame.
    
    
    
14. Youngstown Phantoms: Logan Anderson, RW, (2027) C+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Logan Anderson is the son of a former ECHL player. Logan Anderson had 9 goals, 14 assists, and 23 points in 16 games with 38 penalty minutes. He had 4 goals, 2 assists, and 6 points in 4 playoff games with the Florida Alliance South 15O AAA in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    He can slow the game down. He's gifted when he has the puck on his stick. He was not going to be on the board when Youngstown was on the clock in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Lincoln Stars: Landon Jackman, C, (2027) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 207 lb Landon Jackman had 23 goals, 21 assists, 44 points, and 0 penalty minutes in 20 games with the Little Caesars Under 15 AAA Team. This was a great value pick for the Lincoln Stars as Landon Jackman was the biggest first round player in the 2025 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Landon Jackman has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Landon Jackman is a great skater despite his size.
    
    
    
    He's one of the most talented 2009 born players. He competed against guys on the Toronto Marlies and took over shifts. There were other shifts where he was quiet and non existent on shifts. He could be the steal of the USHL Draft, but he could be a first round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. He's got a big time shot.
    
    
    
16. USNTDP: Rocco Pelosi, C, (2027) A+ Grade
    
    
    The United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL saw both Mikey Berchild and Jamie Glance underperform. One guy who could push Mikey Berchild is Rocco Pelosi.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Rocco Pelosi had 87 goals, 83 assists, and 170 points in 64 games with Mount St. Charles Academy Under 14 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Rocco Pelosi had 65 goals, 75 assists, and 140 points in 60 games with the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA Team as Rocco Pelosi complete the trio of Braiden Scuderi, Stephen Cover.
    
    
    
    Rocco Pelosi has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. He likes to have steak in his free time. I already saw one of his interviews as Rocco Pelosi interviewed well. Rocco Pelosi could end up jumping James Scantlebury as the top center in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft if he continues to work hard.
    
    
    
    Rocco Pelosi isn't the only big-time star on the United States National Team Developmental Program in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. Cannon Thobdeau had 5 goals in one game becoming the first player since Ivan Demidov in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft to accomplish this and will compete with Mikey Berchild last years first round pick from the United States National Team Developmental Program for the second line center role Trevor Daley Jr. will probably be the fourth line center on the USNTDP with him being the son of former Dallas Stars defenseman Trevor Daley. Mikey Berchild had to carry the USNTDP last year as a top pick, but couldn't play under pressure. I think the United States National Team Deveopmental Program will dominate this upcoming season.