Gavin McKenna, a prominent prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, recently made headlines by committing to Penn State, opting for the NCAA route after previously playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). His decision sparks a timely discussion: what paths will the top players from the recently concluded 2025 NHL Entry Draft choose for the upcoming season?
For many highly drafted players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL – encompassing the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL), the immediate options are typically the NHL, their CHL club, or the AHL (though draft pick rules affect AHL eligibility for CHL players until a certain age). A key factor is whether the player signs an entry-level contract (ELC) with the NHL team that drafted them. Signing an ELC makes a player professional and thus ineligible for NCAA competition under current rules. It`s a definitive fork in the road, often taken quickly after the draft dust settles.
We`ve already seen some 2025 draftees solidify their immediate futures, opting for the professional contract route. Jake O`Brien, selected 8th overall by the Seattle Kraken, has signed his ELC and will return to the OHL`s Brantford Bulldogs if he doesn`t make the Kraken roster out of training camp. Similarly, Ben Kindel, the 11th pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Lynden Lakovic, selected 27th by the Washington Capitals, have signed ELCs. They are slated to return to their respective WHL teams (Calgary Hitmen and Moose Jaw Warriors) unless they, against typical expectations for players drafted from the CHL, jump directly to the NHL roster. For these players, the NCAA ship has sailed, at least for now.
Conversely, some top prospects have explicitly chosen the college route before signing an ELC, keeping their amateur status and NCAA eligibility intact. Jackson Smith, taken 14th overall by the Washington Capitals after playing for the WHL`s Tri-City Americans, has committed to Penn State. He won`t be joining O`Brien at Brantford or Lakovic at Moose Jaw, but rather heading to Happy Valley for collegiate hockey. Another WHL alum, Cole Reschny (18th pick, from the Victoria Royals), has committed to the University of North Dakota, a traditional NCAA hockey powerhouse with a strong track record of developing NHL talent. Their commitments signal a preference for the NCAA development environment over another year in major junior, at least as a transitional step.
This dynamic creates a unique situation, particularly for NCAA programs. College teams recruit players years in advance, often targeting players from USHL or other amateur leagues with explicit NCAA intentions. The NHL Draft adds a layer of uncertainty to players coming from the CHL system, where the professional path is often the default. Will a drafted player sign an ELC and turn professional? Will they opt for another year in the CHL? Or will they choose college? Holding a valuable roster spot for a potential star player while awaiting their post-draft decision is a delicate balancing act for college coaches and admissions staff. It`s fair to say this isn`t a standard operating procedure, but rather a reflection of the shifting landscape.
All eyes are also keenly focused on the decision of the No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, drafted by the New York Islanders from the OHL`s Erie Otters. Defensemen often require a bit more time to physically and technically develop for the NHL game compared to forwards, and Schaefer`s draft season was notably impacted by injury, limiting his games played. There is a recent precedent of a top defenseman taking the college route post-draft; Owen Power, the first overall pick in 2021, returned to the University of Michigan for another season after being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres. While Schaefer`s ultimate goal is undoubtedly the NHL and making the Islanders roster as soon as possible, his immediate plans for the upcoming season – whether returning to Erie or exploring other options like the NCAA for a year or two – remain a significant point of interest for scouts, fans, and certainly the Islanders organization. His decision, whenever it`s officially announced, will add another prominent data point to this evolving trend of post-draft pathways.
The choices made by the top players in the 2025 NHL draft class underscore a growing flexibility in player development paths. While the CHL remains a primary, and for many, the most direct feeder league to the NHL, the NCAA offers an increasingly appealing alternative for some prospects. It provides a different environment, often combines high-level hockey with academic pursuits, and allows for a potentially different development pace. As more high-profile prospects like McKenna, Smith, and Reschny choose college, the traditional routes are being re-evaluated by both players and teams, making the post-draft period a fascinating time to track the journeys of hockey`s future stars. The decisions of those yet to make their intentions fully public, particularly the first overall pick, will further shape this intriguing and dynamic landscape.
