Bloodlines you need to know for the 2025 NHL Draft

The 2025 NHL Draft is full of hockey bloodlines.

There’s no shortage of them in fact, whether it’s executives and scouts, former Stanley Cup champions, current NHL players, or connections to pro hockey both in Europe and North America.

Take top prospect Caleb Desnoyers, for example.

His brother, Elliot Desnoyers, was a fifth-round pick (No. 135) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2020 NHL Draft. He appeared in four games with the Flyers during the 2022–23 season and played for Lehigh Valley in the American Hockey League in 2024–25.

The relationship has been invaluable.

“He’s my mentor,” said Caleb, whose stepfather, Pascal Trepanier, was a defenseman who played 229 career NHL games between 1997–98 and 2002–03 with the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators. “He’s my best friend. He’s everything for me. We train with each other during the summer and I learn a lot from him. He’s a great person. I learnt a lot off the ice as well, the way he works. His work ethic… they gave us some good values in life and my brother is someone that I want to be like when I grow up.

“I learned a lot from him, just seeing him go through it. It helps with the pressure and stuff like that. He knows how to be in those types of situations. That’s helped me and given me a gap on others they don’t have.”

The younger brother, No. 4 in FCHockey’s Final ranking for the 2025 draft, will eclipse the draft stock of the elder.

Some others will top ‘relative’ expectations, too.

Here’s a look at others connections to the 2025 draft:

Travis Hayes | RW | Sault Ste Marie (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 169

Travis Hayes‘ brother, Avery Hayes, signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an unrestricted free agent and played for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2024–25 season. His other brother, Gavin Hayes, was selected in the third round (No. 66) by the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Draft and skated for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in 2024–25.

Lynden Lakovic | LW | Moose Jaw (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 10

Lynden Lakovic‘s uncle, Sasha, appeared in 37 career NHL games from 1996–97 to 1998–99 with the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils. His uncle, Greg, played professional hockey across several leagues, including the IHL, ECHL, CHL, and AHL.

Brady Peddle | D | Waterloo (USHL)
FCHockey rank: NR

Brady Peddle‘s father, Brad, is a former ECHL player who served as head coach of St. Francis Xavier University during the 2024–25 season and currently works as an amateur scouting consultant with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His brother, Tyler Peddle, was selected in the seventh round (No. 224) by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft and played for Saint John in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League in 2024–25.

Dakota Rheaume-Mullen | D | University of Michigan (NCAA)
FCHockey rank: 103

Dakota Rheaume-Mullen‘s mother, Manon, is a women’s hockey goaltending legend who won gold for Canada twice at the World Championships (1992, 1994) and helped secure a silver medal at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games. Manon also made history by appearing in a preseason game for the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first female player to participate in an NHL game. She played professionally in the IHL, ECHL, and PCHL, and currently works in Hockey Operations with the Los Angeles Kings as a Prospect Advisor. His uncle, Pascal, was an undrafted forward who appeared in over 300 NHL games with the Devils, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers, and Arizona Coyotes. Pascal won a Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 2003.

Nolan Roed | C | Tri-City (USHL)
FCHockey rank: NR

Nolan Roed‘s father, Peter, was selected in the second round (No. 38) by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Draft. He played professionally in the ECHL, AHL, and Germany. His brother, Lleyton Roed, is part of the Kraken organization and skated for the Coachella Valley in the AHL during the 2024–25 season.

Sascha Boumedienne | D | Boston University (NCAA)
FCHockey rank: 31

Sascha Boumedienne‘s father, Josef, was selected in the fourth round (No. 91) by New Jersey in the 1996 NHL Draft. He appeared in 47 career NHL games between 2001–02 and 2003–04, skating for the Devils, Lightning, and Washington Capitals. Josef is currently the general manager for Sweden ahead of the 2026 Olympic Games.

Jan Chovan | C | Tappara (U20 SM-sarja)
FCHockey rank: 59

Jan Chovan‘s father, Jan, was selected in the seventh round (No. 213) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2001 NHL Draft. He played professionally in the UHL as well as in his native Slovakia.

Blake Fiddler | D | Edmonton (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 32

Blake Fiddler‘s father, Vern, was an undrafted forward who played 877 career NHL games with the Predators, Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and Devils from 2002–03 to 2016–17. He had 261 points (104 goals, 157 assists).

Will Horcoff | C | University of Michigan (NCAA)
FCHockey rank: 29

Will Horcoff‘s father, Shawn, was selected in the fourth round (No. 99) by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1998 NHL Draft. He played 1,008 career regular-season games with the Oilers, Stars, and Ducks from 2000–01 to 2015–16, and recorded 511 points (186 goals, 325 assists).

Jack Ivankovic | G | Brampton (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 50

Jack Ivankovic‘s father, Frank, was also a goaltender and was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the ninth round (No. 232) of the 1995 NHL Draft. He played in the OHL, CHL, and later at the Canadian university level with Wilfrid Laurier University.

Peyton Kettles | D | Swift Current (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 75

Peyton Kettles‘ father, Kyle, was selected in the seventh round (No. 205) by the Predators in the 1999 NHL Draft. He played professionally in the ECHL and AHL from 2002–03 to 2004–05.

Matous Kucharcik | C | HC Slavia Praha (Czech 2)
FCHockey rank: 187

Matous Kucharcik‘s father, Tomas, was selected in the eighth round (No. 167) by the Maple Leafs in the 1991 NHL Draft. He had a lengthy professional career playing in various leagues, including the AHL, as well as leagues in Czechia, Finland, and Sweden.

David Lewandowski | C | Saskatoon (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 78

David Lewandowski’s father, Eduard, was selected in the eighth round (No. 242) by the Coyotes in the 2003 NHL Draft. He enjoyed a lengthy professional career playing in Germany — where he won a league title in 2006–07 — and Russia. Eduard represented Germany in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, too.

Porter Martone | RW | Brampton (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 5

Porter Martone‘s father, Mike, was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round (No. 106) of the 1996 NHL Draft. He played professionally in the AHL and ECHL from the 1998–99 season through 2004–05.

Eric Nilson | C | Djurgarden (J20 Nationell)
FCHockey rank: 65

Eric Nilson‘s father, Marcus, was selected in the first round (No. 20) by the Florida Panthers in the 1996 NHL Draft. He recorded 168 points (67 goals, 101 assists) in 521 career games with the Panthers and Flames from 1998–99 to 2007–08.

Jake O’Brien | C | Brantford (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 8

Jake O’Brien‘s mother, Amy Turek, was a standout in women’s hockey during the 1990s, competing at the Canadian university level with Wilfrid Laurier University, suiting up for the Beatrice Aeros in the NWHL, and representing Team Canada at various international events.

Cullen Potter | C | Arizona State University (NCAA)
FCHockey rank: 9

Cullen Potter‘s mother, Jenny, represented Team USA in hockey at numerous international tournaments, including four Olympic Winter Games — winning gold in 1998 — and 10 World Championships, where she secured gold medals in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2011.

Luka Radivojevic | D | Muskegon (USHL)
FCHockey rank: 33

Luka Radivojevic‘s father, Branko, was selected in the third round (No. 93) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1999 NHL Draft. He appeared in 393 career NHL games with the Coyotes, Flyers, and Minnesota Wild.

Jere Somervuori | LW | HIFK (U20 SM-sarja)
FCHockey rank: 173

Jere Somervuori’s father, Eero, was selected in the seventh round (No. 170) by the Lightning in the 1997 NHL Draft. He enjoyed a lengthy professional career with stops in the AHL, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland. In 2024–25, Eero served as an amateur scout for the Blues.

Nicholas Sykora | LW | Omaha (USHL)
FCHockey rank: 152

Nicholas Sykora‘s father, Petr, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2000, 2009) who recorded 721 points (323 goals, 398 assists) in 1,017 NHL games. His career spanned from 1995–96 to 2011–12, during which he played for the Devils, Ducks, Rangers, Oilers, Penguins, and Wild.

Blake Vanek | RW | Wenatchee (OHL)
FCHockey rank: NR

Blake Vanek‘s father, Thomas, was a first-round pick (No. 5) by the Sabres in the 2003 NHL Draft. Over a career spanning from 2005–06 to 2018–19, he recorded 789 points (373 goals, 416 assists) in 1,029 NHL games with the Sabres, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Blue Jackets. His career included 11 seasons with 20 or more goals, including two 40-goal campaigns.

Richard Zemlicka | C | SaiPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
FCHockey rank: NR

Richard Zemlicka‘s father, Richard, was selected in the ninth round (No. 185th) by the Oilers in the 1990 NHL Draft. He enjoyed a lengthy career with stops in Czechia, Slovakia, Finland, and Germany.

Alex Zalesak | LW | MoDo (J20 Nationell)
FCHockey rank: NR

Alex Zalesak‘s father, Miroslav, was selected in the fourth round (No. 104) by the Sharks in the 1998 NHL Draft. He appeared in 12 NHL games with San Jose between 2002–03 and 2003–04. In the 2024–25 season, Miroslav served as the Head of European Scouting for the Avalanche.

Henry Brzustewicz | D | London (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 46

Henry Brzustewicz‘s brother, Hunter Brzustewicz, was selected in the third round (No. 75) by the Canucks in the 2023 NHL Draft. He is currently a member of the Flames, and made his NHL debut in 2024-25.

Victor Eklund | RW | Djurgarden (Allsvenskan)
FCHockey rank: 6

Victor Eklund‘s brother, William Eklund, was a first-round pick (No. 7) by the Sharks in the 2021 NHL Draft. He posted career highs in the 2024–25 season with 58 points (17 goals, 41 assists).

Michael Misa | C | Saginaw (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 2

Michael Misa‘s brother, Luke Misa, was selected by the Flames in the fifth round (No. 150) of the 2024 NHL Draft. He tallied 85 points (34 goals, 51 assists) in 67 games with Brampton in the OHL during the 2024–25 season.

Alex Misiak | LW | Waterloo (USHL)
FCHockey rank: 189

Alex Misiak‘s brother, Martin Misiak, was selected in the second round (55th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft. He played for Erie in the OHL during the 2024–25 season, amassing 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 60 games.

Vaclav Nestrasil | RW | Muskegon (USHL)
FCHockey rank: 37

Vaclav Nestrasil‘s brother, Andrej Nestrasil, was selected in the third round (No. 75th) by the Red Wings in the 2009 NHL Draft. He appeared in 128 career NHL games with the Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes from 2014–15 to 2016–17. He played with Ocelari Trinec in Czechia during the 2024–25 season.

Lukas Sawchyn | RW | Edmonton (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 101

Lukas Sawchyn‘s brother, Gracyn Sawchyn, was selected in the second round (No. 63) by the Panthers in the 2023 NHL Draft. He recorded 78 points (30 goals, 48 assists) in 54 games with Edmonton in the WHL during the 2024–25 season.

Nathan Behm | LW | Kamloops (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 60

Nathan Behm‘s uncle, Ken Davis, was selected in the ninth round (No. 266) by the Red Wings in the 1999 NHL Draft. He went on to play Canadian university hockey at McGill and spent a season in the CHL.

Diego Buttazzoni | C | Portland (WHL)
FCHockey rank: NR

Diego Buttazzoni‘s cousin, Zach Benson, was selected in the first round (No. 13) by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL Draft. He has already appeared in 146 NHL games with Buffalo across two seasons, amassing 58 points (21 goals, 37 assists).

Mikkel Eriksen | C | Farjestad (J20 Nationell)
FCHockey rank: 146

Mikkel Eriksen‘s uncle, Espen Knutsen, was selected in the 10th round (No. 204) by the Hartford Whalers in the 1990 NHL Draft. He appeared in 207 career NHL games with the Ducks and Blue Jackets from 1997–98 to 2003–04, netting 111 points (30 goals, 81 assists).

Artyom Gonchar | D | Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
FCHockey rank:

Artyom Gonchar‘s uncle, Sergei, won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009. The defenseman was selected in the first round (No. 14) by the Capitals in the 1992 NHL Draft.  Over a 20-season NHL career from 1994–95 to 2014–15, he appeared in 1,301 games and tallied 811 points (220 goals, 591 assists) while playing for the Capitals, Boston Bruins, Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Stars, and Canadiens.

David Granberg | C | Lulea (J20 Nationell)
FCHockey rank: 172

David Granberg‘s uncle, Mikael Renberg, was selected in the second round (No. 40) by the Flyers in the 1990 NHL Draft. He also played for the Lightning, Coyotes, and Maple Leafs. Over his NHL career, Renberg recorded 464 points (190 goals, 274 assists) in 661 games.

Carter Klippenstein | LW | Brandon (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 192

Carter Klippenstein‘s uncle, Wade, was selected in the 12th round (No. 232) by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1990 NHL Draft. He went on to play professionally in both the AHL and ECHL.

Jimmy Lombardi | C | Flint (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 120

Jimmy Lombardi‘s great-uncle, John Garrett, was an NHL goaltender for six seasons, playing with the Whalers, Nordiques, and Canucks. Following his playing career, he became a long-time broadcaster Vancouver games on Sportsnet.

Brendan McMorrow | LW | Waterloo (USHL)
FCHockey rank: NR

Brendan McMorrow‘s cousin, Dominic Toninato, was selected in the fifth round (No. 126) by the Maple Leafs in the 2012 NHL Draft. He has appeared in 189 career NHL games and played for the Winnipeg Jets in each of the past five seasons.

Aidan Park | C | Green Bay (USHL)
FCHockey rank: 115

Aidan Park‘s uncle, Richard, was selected in the second round (No. 50th) by the Penguins in the 1994 NHL Draft. He appeared in 738 career NHL games with the Penguins, Ducks, Flyers, Wild, Canucks, and Islanders from 1994–95 to 2011–12.

LJ Mooney | C | USA U-18 (NTDP)
FCHockey rank: 85

LJ Mooney‘s cousin, Logan Cooley, was selected in the first round (No. 3) by the Coyotes in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He recorded 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 75 games with the Utah Mammoth during the 2024–25 season.

David Rozsival | LW | Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)
FCHockey rank: 133

David Rozsival‘s uncle, Michal, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. He was selected in the fourth round (No. 105) by the Penguins in the 1996 NHL Draft, and played 963 career NHL games as a defenseman with the Penguins, Rangers, Coyotes, and Blackhawks from 1999–00 to 2016–17.

Oliver Turner | D | Erie (OHL)
FCHockey rank: NR

Oliver Turner‘s uncle, Glen Murray, was selected in the first round (18th overall) by the Bruins in the 1991 NHL Draft. He recorded 651 points (337 goals, 314 assists) in 1,009 NHL games with the Bruins, Penguins, and Kings from 1991–92 to 2007–08.

---

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• • • PROSPECTS WITH THE BIGGEST BOOM POTENTIAL IN THE 2025 DRAFT
    • GOALIES YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE 2025 NHL DRAFT
    • THE TOP RISERS ON FCHOCKEY’S BOARD AHEAD OF THE 2025 NHL DRAFT
    • RANKING THE TOP OVERAGERS IN THE 2025 NHL DRAFT CLASS
    • FCHOCKEY RELEASES FINAL RANKING FOR THE 2025 NHL DRAFT CLASS
    • FCHOCKEY RELEASES 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD