FCHockey releases Winter ranking for 2025 NHL Draft

Matthew Schaefer of Erie in the Ontario Hockey League leads FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft, released Sunday.

Schaefer, a left-shot defenseman from Hamilton, ON, has overtaken Boston College center James Hagens for top spot in the rankings.

The 17-year-old, who captained Canada to gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, has 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 17 games in the OHL this season. He also had two points (one goal, one assist) in the two-game CHL USA Prospects Challenge late last month, and is set to represent Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“Schaefer is such a well-rounded defenseman that wows with his offensive instincts and quietly does a very good job defensively on a nightly basis,” Ontario-based FCHockey scout Mike Kennedy said. “He really shines in the critical moments of games that swing momentum for Erie. Schaefer appears to be the top prospect at the defense position and is worthy of the first overall selection based on how valuable of an asset he is to any NHL team.”

Hagens, who led the US National Team Development Program’s under-18 team with 102 points (39 goals, 63 assists) last season, drops one spot to No. 2.

The 18-year-old leads all draft-eligible freshmen with 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 16 games this season.

Like Schaefer, Hagens will participate in the 2025 World Juniors as he’s set to represent Team USA.

“Hagens is a very impressive playmaker with high end vision and anticipation as a passer,” FCHockey scout Kyle Pereira said. “Additionally, he is a high-volume puck mover in the neutral zone, constantly generating entries for BC and being a generally positive player overall as a true freshman. That’s why he’s such a highly coveted player in the 2025 class.”

Porter Martone of Brampton in the OHL, Michael Misa of Saginaw in the OHL, and Victor Eklund of Djurgarden in HockeyAllsvenskan round out the top-5.

Martone, who will join Schaefer on Team Canada, is second in OHL scoring with 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists) in 26 games. The right wing had 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists) in 60 games in 2023-24. He was No. 2 in FCHockey’s Preliminary ranking for the 2025 draft released in September.

“Martone is flat out a beast,” Kennedy said. “The competitive drive he brings to each game is enough to inspire everyone around him. He is the type of player you want to go to war with. That, combined with his frame and high level of skill, makes him a bonafide top prospect.”

Misa leads OHL and Canadian Hockey League scoring with 61 points (30 goals, 31 assists) in 30 games. He jumps from ninth to fourth in FCHockey’s ranking.

“Misa has always had elite skill and vision, but this season he’s using his quickness and awareness to shine off the puck, showing the intensity and decision making to project as a top-six centre in the NHL,” Ontario-based FCHockey scout Joseph Aleong said.

Eklund, the brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second division. The 18-year-old, previously ranked No. 14 at FCHockey, will represent Sweden at the 2025 World Juniors.

“Eklund is just such an electric player,” FCHockey chief European scout Samuel Tirpak said. “He is incredibly fast, elusive and aggressive and what stands out about him is his ability to create offense off the rush consistently in high tempo, high pressure games. He is both a shooting and a passing threat anytime he steps on the ice and that all is super translatable into the modern NHL.”

Joshua Ravensbergen of Prince George in the Western Hockey League, is FCHockey’s top-ranked goaltender at No. 39. He’s jumped Jack Ivankovic, previously FCHockey’s top goaltender, who is ranked No. 48.

“Ravensbergen’s athleticism and positioning have been very impressive to watch this season,” said David Phillips, FCHockey’s chief goaltending scout. “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.”

To view FCHockey’s full Winter ranking for the 2025 draft, click HERE.

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