The top risers on FCHockey’s board for the 2025 NHL Draft
The work has been done, for both players and scouts alike, and there are some favorites amongst the bunch of 2025 NHL Draft risers.
FCHockey’s Final ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft has been released, and it’s not without some notable prospects shooting up the charts over the course of the season. All rises aren’t necessarily equal in terms of jumped spots, and our scouts have a preferred list of prospects whose ascent up the 2025 draft charts couldn’t be slowed.
Here’s a look at some of the favored risers from the 2025 draft class:
Kashawn Aitcheson | D | Barrie (OHL)
FCHockey Rank: 12
Kashawn Aitcheson, who rose nine spots from FCHockey’s Midterm ranking in March, is a physical, left-shot two-way defenseman who combines size, skating, and competitive intensity into a dependable, all-situations game. Defensively, he excels with a responsible, hard-nosed style, often using physicality to control space, win battles, and deny net-front opportunities. His ability to block shots, clear the crease, and support his partner through smart reads and coverage awareness makes him a steady presence in his own zone. Offensively, Aitcheson shows calculated instincts and a heavy, accurate shot from the point. While his puck skills aren’t elite, he makes clean breakout passes under pressure and supports transition play with poise and mobility. His skating features strong straight-line speed and solid edgework, allowing him to maintain tight gaps and defend effectively against the rush.
Though capable of running a power play with his shot and vision, his offensive decision-making can improve, particularly in shot selection and puck movement under pressure. Aitcheson plays with high energy and intensity, often raising the physical tone of the game, but must continue to refine his discipline to avoid unnecessary penalties. Projected as a reliable second- or third-pairing defenseman, his rugged, balanced approach and versatility make him a valuable long-term asset with shutdown potential.
“Aitcheson is a menacing presence on the ice,” FCHockey scout Mike Kennedy said. “I like how he plays a major role as a shutdown defender, while also contributing offensively on a regular basis. His two-way game has come a long way and improved his draft stock significantly in the second half of the season and into the OHL playoffs.”
Miles Gastrin | C | MoDo (J20 Nationell)
FCHockey Rank: 36
Miles Gastrin, a 15-spot riser, is a cerebral, two-way center whose mature, structured game makes him one of the most reliable and coachable players in his class. Known for his elite hockey sense, he consistently demonstrates strong spatial awareness, sound decision-making, and excellent puck support in all three zones. Trusted in all situations, Gastrin is frequently deployed on special teams and for critical faceoffs, where his poise and tactical discipline shine. Offensively, he favors a straightforward style, making efficient passes and positioning himself well around the net to screen goaltenders and battle for rebounds. Though his shot lacks power and creativity, his quick release and accuracy allow him to contribute when time and space permit.
Defensively, Gastrin excels at protecting the slot, reading plays early, and using physical engagement responsibly without sacrificing structure. His skating is solid, marked by good agility and anticipation, although some technical inefficiencies persist. Off the puck, he maintains clean routes and often disrupts opposing transitions with intelligent positioning. Coaches value his competitive edge, leadership qualities, and ability to stabilize momentum during key moments. While he lacks dynamic offensive flair, his pro-ready habits and all-situations versatility project well into a middle-six NHL role. Gastrin is a dependable, low-maintenance center who elevates those around him through detail and consistency.
“Just the continuity of his performances this year, and being a dependable player, saw Gastrin rise,” FCHockey chief European scout Samuel Tirpak said. “We saw it at the U18s in Texas, where he was heavily relied upon in all aspects of a game and he delivered in that. Not many ups or downs in his performance all year long, especially in the second half of the year. Very mature player. He is good everywhere, has great all-around habits.”
Burke Hood | G | Vancouver (WHL)
FCHockey Rank: 117
Burke Hood, unlisted in FCHockey’s Spring ranking, is a poised and technically sound goaltender whose calm, structured approach and consistent performance have elevated his profile throughout the season. His standout qualities include exceptional puck tracking, sharp lateral movement, and strong positional awareness, allowing him to square up effectively to shooters and absorb pucks cleanly into his body. Hood’s edge control and balance in the crease enable him to remain composed during high-pressure or chaotic sequences, often providing a stabilizing presence for his team. His lateral agility and compact stance help him respond efficiently to cross-ice plays, while his size and athleticism allow him to challenge with confidence without overcommitting.
He has coachable flaws that can be refined with continued development. Overall, Hood’s season has shown steady progression in structure, mechanics, and game management. His blend of size, poise, and technical foundation gives him legitimate long-term upside. His consistency, composure, and mental focus position him as a strong goaltending prospect with middle-tier NHL potential.
“Hood got full control of the crease in Vancouver after fellow draft eligible Matthew Hutchison was traded,” FCHockey chief goaltending scout David Phillips said. “He seemed more comfortable in his game and much more confident in his abilities. In-turn, his play picked up and he went from a goalie with no WHL experience in his D-1 to a mid-round prospect all in one year.”
Kurban Limatov | D | Dynamo Moskow (MHL)
FCHockey Rank: 25
Kurban Limatov, who climbed eight spots, is a sizable, mobile defenseman with a modern two-way game built on composure, hockey sense, and physical tools. His skating stands out due to a powerful, fluid stride that supports quick defensive recoveries and efficient transitions. He excels under pressure, making clean breakout passes and evading forecheckers with smart, poised movement. Defensively, his reach, gap control, and ability to win board battles through anticipation make him a steady presence. His active stick and awareness disrupt plays early, while his positioning on the penalty kill has proven reliable. Though not overly physical, Limatov competes hard and uses leverage effectively without taking penalties, maintaining control in net-front and wall battles.
Offensively, he shows confidence joining rushes and contributing from the blue line with vision and soft hands. He can quarterback breakouts and play both sides, showcasing versatility and reliability in various roles. However, his game is not without flaws. At times, he misreads plays in the defensive zone or overcomplicates simple puck decisions, leading to positioning lapses or turnovers. His straight-line speed is average, and his recovery off turnovers can lag. These issues appear linked to situational inexperience rather than talent. Overall, Limatov projects as a middle-pair NHL defenseman with two-way upside, contingent on improving his defensive reads and consistency.
“What made him a riser for me is continuous showing of all those projectable assets he has in his game,” Tirpak said. “The size and reach, playing under pressure, skating and first pass combination is at core of a future NHL defenseman. He has all of it and so for me it’s an easy projection. He is such a beauty player to watch on defense.”
Vaclav Nestrasil | RW | Muskegon (USHL)
FCHockey Rank: 37
Vaclav Nestrasil, who jumped 15 slots, is a large-framed forward who combines playmaking intelligence, defensive reliability, and physical presence to provide value in all three zones. His standout trait is his vision and passing ability; he frequently delivers timely, accurate feeds that find teammates in dangerous areas. He excels at reading plays in both transition and sustained offensive pressure, often using body positioning and deception to create passing lanes. Defensively, Nestrasil’s anticipation and reach make him effective on the penalty kill and in intercepting passes, and he applies strong forechecking pressure that results in turnovers. His commitment without the puck enhances his projection as a dependable two-way forward.
Though his skating mechanics are unconventional, his long stride allows him to build effective speed over distance, and his reach enables him to close space quickly and disrupt plays. However, he lacks explosive acceleration and can struggle under physical pressure when trying to maintain puck possession. He finishes checks decisively but still needs to improve his shooting accuracy, puck control, and decision-making in the offensive zone. He occasionally overcomplicates plays and crowds space, limiting efficiency. Despite these flaws, Nestrasil offers significant untapped upside and projects as a bottom-six NHL forward with room to grow into a more impactful offensive role due to his blend of size, skill, and intelligence.
“I love the blend of size and skating with Nestrasil,” FCHockey scout Jacob Roth said. “It’s rare to find a player with his size who can move that well. What helped him rise so much as the year went on was the improvement he showed on the puck. He can play the traditional game of a power forward who sets up net front and battles for pucks in the corners, but he can also play with the puck on his stick and showed increased creativity and confidence with the puck as the year went on. He still seems as though he is growing into his body, which may cause a slow transition to the college game next year, but there is a lot of upside with Nestrasil, as he can impact the game in so many different ways.”
Cameron Reid | D | Kitchener (OHL)
FCHockey Rank: 13
Cameron Reid, who elevated from No. 23 a few months ago, is a composed, highly intelligent two-way defenseman defined by elite mobility, strong hockey sense, and efficient puck distribution. His standout four-way skating—marked by quick acceleration, fluid edgework, and lateral agility—allows him to evade pressure, retrieve pucks with ease, and control transitions smoothly. Calm under duress, Reid consistently makes smart, calculated plays, avoiding risky decisions while maintaining possession and pace. His transitional game is a strength, as he delivers crisp first passes and can carry the puck through the neutral zone or activate off the rush. On the power play, he brings poise and vision from the point, helping sustain offensive pressure through subtle reads and movement.
Defensively, Reid showcases sound positioning, an active stick, and refined habits, often steering attackers wide and maintaining strong gap control. Though not physically dominant, he competes in battles and has added strength to better defend net-front and along the boards. His size remains average, but his timing and spatial awareness compensate effectively. Coaches value his low-maintenance, reliable style, and he often anchors younger pairings in key situations. While his offensive assertiveness can improve, Reid’s ability to impact the game through control, intelligence, and mobility makes him a highly projectable top-four NHL defenseman with special teams value.
“Reid is one of the best skaters among all defenders in the draft, showing great agility and a huge gas tank to make an impact all over the ice,” FCHockey scout Joseph Aleong said. “His skating can make up for his below average size, making defensive plays with footwork and anticipation. His ability to eat big minutes and make efficient plays offensively was apparent against better opponents and in high-leverage games, making him a steady riser in the ranks in the second half.”
Alexander Zharovsky | RW | Ufa (MHL)
FCHockey Rank: 41
Alexander Zharovsky, who saw a 13-spot spike, is a highly skilled, offensively gifted winger whose elite puckhandling and creativity make him one of the most dynamic players in his class. His hands are exceptional, allowing him to maneuver through defenders with ease and extend possession in tight areas. With excellent vision and playmaking ability, he consistently finds teammates in prime scoring positions, often drawing coverage before distributing the puck to create high-danger opportunities. Zharovsky thrives in the offensive zone, especially near the net, where his blend of finesse and physicality enables him to attack inside ice and battle for space. He is particularly effective on the power play, operating from the flank with a quick-release, deceptive shot and the anticipation to read plays before they unfold.
While his skating stride is unconventional, he compensates with lateral agility and glide, though his acceleration and stamina are concerns. Defensively, he shows flashes of awareness and stickwork but lacks consistent engagement, sometimes drifting or becoming passive when not directly involved in the play. Additionally, evaluators have noted issues with effort and emotional control, particularly when frustrated or uninvolved offensively. Despite these red flags, Zharovsky’s offensive upside is significant. With improved conditioning, work ethic, and defensive commitment, he could develop into a top-tier offensive threat at the next level.
“The flashes of skill that made him an intriguing prospect in the first half became a staple of his play,” FCHockey scout Jake Janso said. “The increased consistency is a major step forward in his game and makes that high-octane offensive potential that much more tangible. Virtually no prospects from this region have the same offensive potential as Zharovsky.”
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