Aaron
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December 23, 2024

Here are the biggest risers in FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft

FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft has dropped in time for the holidays.

There’s a reason for a little additional Christmas cheer for more than a handful of eligibles who skyrocketed up the rankings from the initial offering in September.

Put Jack Murtagh of the United States National Team Development Program in that category.

Murtagh, No. 64 in FCHockey’s Preliminary ranking for the 2025 draft, jumped from a fringe second-round candidate to a full-on first-rounder as one of the NTDP’s top draft exports. He’s second in team scoring, behind fellow 2025-eligible Cole McKinney, with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 20 games.

“Murtagh is still improving and parts of his game are still raw, but he has shown much more offensive consistency,” FCHockey scout Jacob Roth said. “He has established himself as one of the NTDP’s top scorers and consistently drives offense for the team. His speed is a difference-maker, and he has shown the ability to shoot with a deceptive release while on the move.

“His shot can beat goalies from distance and has shown off his one-timer on the power play multiple times this season. He doesn’t shy away from physical play and will go to the dirty areas of the ice.”

Murtagh, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound forward, edged out fellow American Benjamin Kevan as the largest previously-ranked jumper in FCHockey’s Winter ranking.

Kevan has had positive showings this season in both the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2024 World Junior A Challenge, solidifying his stock in the process. The right-wing was a tournament standout in the latter, and has shown well with the Des Moines in the United States Hockey League.

“Kevan’s ability to elevate his play against tougher opponents and maintain a high standard against weaker teams makes him a highly coveted prospect,” said Kohen Willis Dengler, who scouting Kevan at the WJAC. “His dynamic offensive skills and hockey IQ suggest a high ceiling, and his impact on the ice has solidified him as a surefire first-round pick.”

For his efforts, which includes 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) as a sophomore in the USHL, Kevan has jumped from No. 80 to No. 37 in FCHockey’s Winter offering.

Luca Romano has seen a similar spike in his draft stock.

Romano, No. 69 a dozen weeks ago, has jumped to just outside the edge of the first round of the 2025 draft class by vaulting himself up to No. 34 on the strength of a successful effort through 32 games with Kitchener in the Ontario Hockey League.

He’s netted 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in that span.

“What stands out for me about Romano is his consistent, two-way play,” FCHockey scout Mike Kennedy said. “He brings a strong presence on both sides of the puck for Kitchener. His play has warranted a rise in the rankings as NHL clubs are always looking to add reliable, steady forwards to their middle-six.”

Cameron Reid has pushed his stock to just outside the first round, too — one spot ahead of Romano, in fact. Reid, teammates with Romano in Kitchener, launched from No. 59 a few short months ago to No. 33.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pound blueliner has showcased steady two-way play with a bit of an offensive flair that’s seen him produce 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 33 games.

“Reid is a great skater who has quick, consistently great decision making, and is detailed and pugnacious in the defensive zone,” FCHockey scout Joseph Aleong said. “He’s playing huge minutes in all situations for Kitchener and has the potential to contribute even more on offense, turning himself into a true impact two-way player with nice NHL potential.”

Joshua Ravensbergen has also shown some nice NHL potential with his body of work in the 2024-25 season.

Ravensbergen, tucked inside the top-100 in FCHockey’s Preliminary ranking — No. 93 to be exact — has steadily climbed to the point he has surpassed Jack Ivankovic as the top-ranked goaltender in the Winter ranking at No. 39.

The 18-year-old, starring for Prince George in the Western Hockey League, has cobbled together a 16-4-4 record with a 3.06 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 24 games played.

“Ravensbergen’s athleticism and positioning have been very impressive to watch this season,” FCHockey scout David Phillips said. “He does a good job of setting his feet at and keeping his torso square to the puck. Ravensbergen also shows a very projectable post seal that allows him to activate out of his post while limiting the space for shooters to pick off.”

Among others to vault themselves into the first round, few have seen the ascent defenseman Jackson Smith has put together.

Smith, plagued by bouts of inconsistency last season, has brought the effort that matches some elite skills and impressive size that has translated into, potentially, one of the top defensemen in the draft class.

He’s risen from No. 48 to No. 17 in a matter of months.

“Entering the year, the two things that came to mind about Smith were his size and his mobility, which have remained standout aspects of his game,” FCHockey scout Kareem Elshafey said of Smith, who has 24 points (two goals, 22 assists) this season.

“There were flashes of offensive skill at the Hlinka, but that part of his game has taken noticeable steps forward. He excels defending the rush due to his reach and skating and while he can be a bit inconsistent at times in his zone, he has all the tools to improve at his disposal.”

Much of the same could be said for forward Lynden Lakovic of Moose Jaw in the WHL.

Lakovic, who was a standout at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge last month, is a blend of size and finesse has blended to create one of the most intriguing options on the wing in the class.

“His offensive game has really rounded out quite well,” Elshafey said. “He skates very well which makes him a handful in transition and in the same breath, is able to use his size to his advantage. He’s really improved his playmaking by using his teammates and surveying the ice with the puck on his stick. That complements his creativity and finishing ability really nicely.

“The way Lakovic has showcased his offensive arsenal this year makes him well deserving of a top-15 spot in our rankings.”

The 6-foot-4 forward is No. 13, to be exact, after starting the season as a potential second-round candidate.

The same can be said for Cullen Potter.

Potter, knocking on the door as a potential first-round candidate in September, is now a top-10 candidate in December thanks to a strong start that has seen him produce eight points (four goals, four assists) in 16 games as a freshman with Arizona State University in the NCAA. He’s risen from No. 41 to No. 12.

Only James Hagens, ranked No. 2, and fellow forward Shane Vansaghi, ranked No. 67, have more points among draft-eligible skaters in the NCAA.

“Potter is a skilled and speedy forward who does a lot of his damage off the rush,” FCHockey scout Kyle Pereira said. “It starts with his ability in his own end, showing poise and strong hands, to navigate up ice and create off the rush. He does need to work on consistency and overall offensive impact outside of those rush chances, but his smarts, poise, and skating gives him a strong foundation to build on.”


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