Two Regina Pats defensemen have a chance to hear their names called at the 2025 NHL Draft in June. Reese Hamilton received a final ranking of 113th among North American skaters while Kolten Bridgeman was ranked 190th when the last rankings ahead of the draft were released on Tuesday. Both Hamilton and Bridgeman were listed in the mid term and early season rankings as well. Hamilton was traded to the Pats in November of 2024 as part of the deal that saw Pats’ captain Tanner Howe moved to the Calgary Hitmen. Bridgeman, a Regina product, worked his way up from “AA” minor hockey to the major junior ranks after being discovered by Pats’ all time leading scorer and now assistant general manager Dale Derkatch. Pats’ 2007-born prospect Vaclav Nestrasil was also ranked 36th among European skaters. Nestrasil spent the 2024-25 season with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and is expected to play in the NCAA in 2026-27. The 2025 NHL Draft begins June 27 in Los Angeles. Other Saskatchewan connections Some other notable players with Saskatchewan connections who could hear their names called include a couple of forwards that should be selected in the first round. Saskatoon product and Brandon Wheat Kings forward Roger McQueen is ranked 8th among North American Skaters. McQueen missed significant time in 2024-25 with an injury and played just 17 regular season games, picking up 10 goals and 10 assists, adding another goal in three playoff games. Moose Jaw Warriors forward Lynden Lakovic is ranked 14th among North American skaters after picking up 58 points in 47 games with the last place Warriors in 2024-25. Lakovic was also part of the 2023-24 Moose Jaw team that won a league championship and represented the WHL at the 2024 Memorial Cup. Swift Current Broncos defenseman Peyton Kettles could go in the second round of the draft with a final ranking of 39th among North American skaters. Saskatoon Blades forward David Lewandowski received a final ranking of 51st among North American skaters. Swift Current Broncos forward Luke Mistelbacher is ranked 93rd. Meadow Lake, Sask. product and Kelowna Rockets forward Dawson Gerwing is ranked 99th. Among North American goaltenders, Prince Albert, Sask.’s Jayden Kraus is ranked 12th. Kraus plays for the Victoria Royals. A total of 67 WHL players cracked the final rankings list. The full list can be seen here.
