The top 2025 NHL Draft eligibles to watch at the U18 Worlds

There’s one major international showcase left for members of the 2025 NHL Draft class to impress — the U18 Worlds.

The 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, held in Frisco and Allen Texas from April 23 to May 3, will feature some of the draft’s top-end talent, including the likes of Anton Frondell of Sweden, Radim Mrtka of Czechia, Cullen Potter of Team USA, and Jackson Smith of Canada.

Here’s a look at them, and other 2025 draft eligibles to keep an eye on at the U18 Worlds:

Adam Benak | RW | Czechia

Adam Benak, no. 39 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 draft, set a Hlinka Gretzky Cup record for all-time points in August, and had 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) over 56 games for Youngstown in the American Hockey League in his first season outside of Europe.

“Benak absolutely torched the Hlinka for a second straight season back in August and there was some chatter around whether or not he could be a top-15 pick in 2025. That was quieted after a productive-but-quiet season in the USHL. It’ll be interesting if he can create that buzz again at the U18s.” — FCHockey crossover scout Aaron Vickers

Sasha Boumedienne | D | Sweden

Sasha Boumedienne, ranked no. 37, made the jump to the college ranks with Boston College in Hockey East as a true freshman this season. The defenseman was modestly productive with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 40 games this season. He also represented Sweden at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August.

“Boumedienne was good at times for Boston University as one of the youngest players in NCAA hockey, but never truly stood out. I’m interested to see how he uses that experience against older competition to stand out more against his own age group.” — FCHockey regional scout Jacob Roth

Braeden Cootes | C | Canada

Braeden Cootes, no. 22, had a productive season with Seattle in the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old had 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 60 games, and added eight points (two goals, six assists) in six games. Cootes had one point, an assist, in three games in a depth role with Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“Cootes didn’t play as prominent a role at the Hlinka as expected at the beginning of the season, so am interested in seeing how he performs in this tournament. Similarly, seeing how his offensive game looks like with other high end players will be something I focus on.” — FCHockey regional scout Kareem Elshafey

Anton Frondell | C | Sweden

Frondell started the 2024-25 season with Djurgarden’s junior team, amassing seven points (five goals, two assists) in 10 games before quickly graduating to the men’s program in HockeyAllsvenskan. Frondell, the top-ranked prospect for the 2025 draft in the tournament at no. 7, had 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 games played in Sweden’s second division — the second-most productive season by a 17-year-old in that league’s history.

“It feels like we’ve waited forever to see Frondell on a bigger international stage. He’s already made an impact playing pro hockey in Allsvenskan, and it’s for sure going to be interesting to see how big of an impact he can have in games at the U18 Worlds.” — FCHockey regional scout Linus Johnsson

Burke Hood | G | Canada

Burke Hood had a standout season with Vancouver in the WHL, rising in the rankings with a 19-13-6 record with a 3.13 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 42 regular-season games. He did struggle, however, with a 6.40 goals-against average and .863 save percentage in five playoff appearances.

“Hood has played some great hockey down the stretch with Vancouver in the WHL, and it’s put him on the map for draft talk. While Jack Ivankovic is likely the team’s starter, I still think Hood will continue to up his game and draft stock at the U18s.” — FCHockey scout David Phillips

Will Horcoff | C | Team USA

Will Horcoff, at 6-foot-4, is a hulking forward who showed well after a mid-season move from the US National Team Development Program to the University of Michigan. Horcoff, ranked no. 31, had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 games in Big10 action after potting eight points (four goals, four assists) in 19 games with the NTDP.

“He made the jump to NCAA hockey this season, and performed really well, really quickly. This should give him a great opportunity to really show how he compares to 2025 eligibles and give an idea of where his range truly is.” — FCHockey regional scout Kyle Pereira

LJ Mooney | LW | Team USA

LJ Mooney had a productive season with the US National Team Development Program, finishing fourth in team scoring with 39 points (eight goals, 31 assists) in 42 games. The undersized forward — he’s just 5-foot-8 and 157 pounds — had six points (two goals, four assists) at the 2024 U18 Worlds.

“He’s a very interesting player. He is so small and it’s what’s held him back from being a high end prospect in this class. But there’s a reason people know his name and this tournament offers him a chance to really boost his stock if he does well.” — Pereira

Radim Mrtka | D | Czechia

Mrtka started his season in Czechia and even made his pro debut with HC Oceláři Třinec, before joining Seattle in the WHL in late November. The 6-foot-6 right-shot blueliner, ranked no. 9, had 35 points (three goals, 32 assists) in 42 games, and finished third in points-per-game, at 0.81, among rookie defensemen on the circuit.

“Mrtka has fully deserved his bump up in our draft rankings since coming over to the WHL. He may be a bit raw of a prospect as he grows into his frame and coordinates it with his game but he’s reached a lot of the checkpoints you’d like to see. Mrtka is going to be Czechia’s go-to defensemen and after an impressive showing at the Hlinka at the beginning of the draft season, this tournament will give us another look into how dominant he can be with his mobility, play killing ability and some offensive flash.” — Elshafey

Cullen Potter | C | Team USA

Potter had a strong freshman season at Arizona State in NCHC with 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 35 games. Potter, at no. 12, is the top-ranked prospect participating in the U18 Worlds for Team USA.

“Another NCAA kid, he’s losing a little bit of footing at the top of the class after a huge rise early on this season. Has an opportunity to solidify his status as a top of the first half of the first round stock with a strong tournament.” — Pereira

Jackson Smith | D | Canada

Smith led all draft-eligible defensemen from the WHL in scoring with 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games with Tri-City. The 6-foot-3 blueliner is Canada’s top-ranked defenseman participating in the tournament at no. 15.

“Smith has all the physical attributes you look for in a defensemen. He skates like the wind, has the frame you look for, and throughout the year, displayed an offensive game that indicates real skill. He’ll likely be tasked with being Canada’s no. 1 defenseman at the U18 Worlds, so we should get an in-depth look at his game in all situations against some good competition. A great showing for Smith could further elevate his draft stock, especially in a draft where it’s a bit thin on the blue line.” — Elshafey

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