Caleb Desnoyers is clicking, and other draft eligibles rolling right now

Caleb Desnoyers is projected to be, at minimum, a top-10 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

There’s little reason to expect otherwise as one of the draft’s top two-way players.

One of the most productive players in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, the 6-foot-2, 172-pound Desnoyers potted 84 points (35 goals, 49 assists) — leading first-time draft eligibles in points-per-game on the circuit.

The freshly-turned 18-year-old, who is no. 5 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 draft, is continuing that production in the playoffs. Moncton swept Quebec in the opening round with Desnoyers picking up eight points (two goals, six assists). Desnoyers continued his torrid pace to open the second round, notching five points (three goals, two assists) in two games to help his side to an early, dominating 2-0 series lead.

“Desnoyers probably doesn’t get enough credit as one of the draft’s best offensive talents because he has such a strong two-way game,” FCHockey scout Aaron Vickers said. “His value comes in his responsible 200-foot approach, but it doesn’t come at the expense of his ability to generate in his opponent’s end. His production this season is an example of that, and that mature approach and understanding is what’ll make him such a coveted forward when draft day rolls around.”

Here’s who else impressed this week:

Eric Nilson | Djurgardens IF (J18/J20 Nationell)

Djurgarden center Eric Nilson has had a very productive year playing in Sweden at the under-20 level. The 6-foot, 154-pound forward scored 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games against players up to two years his senior. He also proved he was too good to play with his peers in under-18 competition with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in eight games.

That split was evident even further this past week. Nilson, no. 85 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking, split his last week between U18 and U20 competition and scored more than two points per game, with 11 (four goals, seven assists) in five contests.

He opened the week with a stellar four-point performance for Djurgarden’s J20 club with four points (two goals, two assists) in a 7-1 win for his squad. Back down to J18 play for his second game of the week, Nilson chipped in a pair of assists as his team fell 3-2 in a shootout. He added a goal and then an assist in his next two games before closing out the week with a three-point (one goal, two assists) outing in a 5-4 win at the U18 level.

Adam Benak | Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Adam Benak produced at just over a point a game in his first season in North America. The Czechia product had 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games. He was sensational in international junior play in 2024-25, too, with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in eight games.

Benak, no. 39 in FCHockey’s Spring rankings, had a big-time showing this week in a pair of games against the US National Team Development Program. On Friday, he potted a pair of assists in a 7-3 win for Youngstown. On Saturday, he fired five shots on goal, scored once, and picked up a pair of assists.

Kashawn Aitcheson | Barrie Colts (OHL)

Barrie got off to a fantastic start in its second-round series against Kingston, and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson played a big role in making that happen.

Aitcheson, no. 21 in FCHockey’s spring rankings, picked up a goal and an assist in the series opener, a 6-2 Barrie win. In Game 2, Aitcheson went to the dressing room after blocking a shot in the first period to save a potential Kingston goal. He returned to help orchestrate a Barrie comeback. Down 3-2 in the second period, Aitcheson netted two assists in the rally.

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