2025 NHL draft prospect watch list: Hagens, Misa, more - ESPN

The Hlinka-Gretzky Cup ended last week with Canada winning the tournament, marking the beginning of draft season. While it is far too early to run models or have rankings, there are certainly players worth watching heading into this season.

The list of intriguing prospects begins with James Hagens. Michael Misa, a former exceptional-status player in the OHL; Roger McQueen, a mammoth center in the WHL; and Adam Benak, a Czech dynamo, are a few other players about whom much ink will be spilled.

Here are 10 of the most intriguing players to watch this season, and those who are likely to dominate the discourse for one reason or another. Note that players are arranged in alphabetical order by last name, not ranked.

One of the more intriguing players in the draft, Benak is an undersized center — listed at 5-foot-7, 157 pounds — who has been impressive in every viewing. Breaking scoring records for Czechia at seemingly every international tournament, the diminutive center is impossible to overlook. With elite skating and skill, Benak is an offensive catalyst with great vision and ability to execute on plays.

Defensively, Benak is more well-rounded than many of his peers. He reads spacing well, supports his teammates off the puck and keeps his stick in good positions.

If Benak can get to 5-10 and continue to round out his game, he will be one of the most talked-about players in June. There is real potential to be a top-20 pick, and his blend of talent makes him an exciting player to track heading into this season.

As the top European prospect in the draft class, the 6-2 forward plays wing for Djurgarden but has also excelled as a center against his peers. Frondell boasts excellent numbers in the Swedish J20 league and