Jimmy Lombardi is buzzing, and other draft eligibles on a heater
Jimmy Lombardi isn’t the highest-profile Ontario Hockey League-based member of the 2025 NHL Draft class, to say the least.
But he is flying a little further under the radar than perhaps he should.
Lombardi, a center, has a modest 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 55 games with Flint but he’s quietly playing a big role for his squad.
“Lombardi is a useful two-way center that plays a high tempo style on both sides of the puck,” FCHockey scout Mike Kennedy said. “His skating ability and speed is perhaps his greatest asset. He is strong in transition and an effective penalty killer for Flint.”
He’s been pretty productive of late, too.
Lombardi, in three wins for Flint last week, netted five goals and six points. Those numbers include his first career OHL hat-trick at the expense of Guelph. He added another three points (two goals, one assist) in a 6-3 Firebirds win over the Erie Otters to close out the week, too.
Though the likes of Michael Misa, Porter Martone, Malcolm Spence, or Jake O’Brien will garner more attention, Lombardi is a sleeper to keep an eye on in the later rounds of the 2025 draft.
Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
Misa, naturally, has continued his incredible scoring pace with another monster week. The 18-year-old, with eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games over the last week, extended his Canadian Hockey League-leading total to 120 points (57 goals, 63 assists) in 57 games.
Misa, no. 4 in FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2025 draft, continues to dominate competition while making his case to potentially go no. 1.
Viktor Klingsell (Skellefteå, J20-Nationell)
Viktor Klingsell, ranked no. 97 at FCHockey, is starting to heat up with six points (three goals, three assists) in his last four games in J20 Nationell, Sweden’s top junior circuit.
The last week has been no exception. Klingsell had points in two of three games, including a multi-goal outing against Orebro on Sunday.
Julius Sumpf (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)
Julius Sumpf is still pushing towards his draft dream. The 20-year-old, passed over in both 2023 and 2024, has had a productive season for Moncton in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with 54 points (23 goals, 21 assists).
The 6-foot-2 center has come on in the home stretch, too. Sumpf had six points (two goals, four assists) and 13 shots on goal in a trio of games.
Diego Buttazzoni (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)
Diego Buttazzoni, also an overager eligible for the 2025 draft, was driving the bus offensively for Portland this past week. Despite four losses, Buttazzoni managed at least a point in each contest and wrapped his week with a total of eight points (four goals, four assists).
The 5-foot-9, 183 pound forward, who is ranked no.191 amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting’s midterm ranking, has compiled 69 points (32 goals, 37 assists) in 56 games for the Winterhawks.
Buttazzoni’s 69-point pace places him third in Western Hockey League scoring among 2025 draft eligible players behind only Benjamin Kindel, Cole Reschny, and Carter Bear.
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