NHL Draft: Predators select Cameron Reid, Kings grab Henry Brzustewicz in round one

Cameron Reid, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the Nashville Predators during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Source: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Nashville Predators wanted Cameron Reid so badly, they traded up two picks in the first round of the NHL Draft to get him.

With the Ottawa Senators on the clock, the Predators sent picks 23 and 67 to move up and select Reid, a Kitchener Rangers defenceman from Copenhagen, Ont. just south of Aylmer.

“Just having your dream come true,” Reid told media after being selected. “I mean, that’s literally it. Ever since I can remember from being a kid, and for every single day, I thought about this day leading up to it. For it to be here, it’s something I definitely will never forget.”

Reid scored 14 goals and 54 points with Kitchener of the OHL last season. He’s never seen a game in Nashville but has been to the city.

“I can guarantee my mom is looking forward to the country music,” Reid said on the broadcast after being chosen. “It’s an amazing city, I’ve been there once before. I love the city, loved everything about it. I’ve heard only great things about the hockey there and the NP themselves. I’m pumped to get going there.”

The Predators will hold their development camp from June 29 to July 5 in Nashville.

Ten picks later, the London Knights continued their streak of having at least one player picked in every NHL draft since 1969.

Henry Brzustewicz heard his name called by the Los Angeles Kings at pick number 31.

“I had really good conversations with them and then the whole week here has been really great, to be picked by them is really special,” Brzustewicz said in his post-draft media conference.

He was selected by the same team as his Knight teammate Jared Woolley.

“We’re best friends, he was sitting in the row right in front of me, so sharing that moment with him was really special,” said Brzustewicz.

The Kings decided to trade down to be able to acquire a second-round pick in the draft but liked Brzustewicz at pick 31.

“We got a player that was on our list of players we liked,” said Kings GM Ken Holland. “He’s a defenceman who shoots right. He comes from a real good program in London. They have had a great track record of developing players into NHL players. Our guys have seen a lot of him and we’re excited to get Henry.”

In the second round, the Vancouver Canucks chose London Knights goalie Alexei Medvedev with the 47th pick. Nosh Read of the London Knights was the 72nd pick and went to Anaheim.