The 2025 NHL draft has a handful of European prospects hockey fans must follow over the next season, including Anton Frondell, Ivan Ryabkin, Victor Eklund and more.

After covering the North American players to watch for the 2025 NHL draft, it's time to move on to the top prospects from European countries.

A few of them came to North America to play in the USHL, college or major junior, but they should represent their nations at international tournaments or events throughout the season.

The European teams always get things kicked off a bit earlier than North America, so we’ve already seen some players look to secure a spot with the men’s team or ensure they play atop the junior team’s lineup.

Here are eight prospects to watch throughout the season leading up to the 2025 NHL draft. Height and weight are according to eliteprospects.com.

Anton Frondell, C/W, Djurgarden Jr. (Swe.), Six-foot, 196 pounds

Anton Frondell will look to prove he's not only one of the top European players in the NHL draft but one of the top prospects, period. And he's doing so after a season cut short by injury.

Even with a shortened campaign, Frondell put up 39 points in 29 games at the U-20 level, suggesting he's ready for a more consistent role with Djurgarden's men’s team.

Frondell has the tools to be as good as Leo Carlsson, the second-overall pick in 2023. He could even become better than him. His playmaking and puck skills are superior at this stage, and his two-way play is more well-rounded. 

Like Carlsson, Frondell's game is very detail-oriented. He understands how to work his way out of a puck battle along the boards or position himself away from the puck to give his teammates options. He also seems to know what to do with the puck before getting it. 

Frondell is a tactician offensively, which he uses to make reads and intuitive plays to his advantage defensively.

Ivan Ryabkin, C, Dynamo Moscow Jr. (Rus.), Six-foot, 170 pounds

Everyone is in a rush to find out who the next great Russian prospect is after Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov tore it up over the last couple of years. 

While he isn’t quite on the same level regarding dynamic offensive flair, Ivan Ryabkin comes into the season as the top player from Russia. He brings a different skill set while playing down the middle – something neither Michkov nor Demidov do consistently.

Ryabkin has great hands and has dangled his fair share of defenders, but he doesn’t attack 1-on-1 quite as often, looking to play a tactical game and pass around defenders. His playmaking is impressive, using delays or drawing pressure one way just to make a pass against the grain. 

Ryabkin is also a much more involved defensive center, thanks to having a more dialled-in defensive IQ. He could even have an easier time getting KHL time this year on Dynamo Moscow, whereas Michkov and Demidov had to deal with the loaded rosters of SKA St. Petersburg. In fact, Ryabkin made his KHL debut on Sept. 10.

Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-11, 161 pounds

Watching Victor Eklund brings back memories of watching his older brother, Sharks left winger William Eklund, in his draft year. 

The same intelligent and detail-oriented game his brother was known for is evident in the younger Eklund’s game. He can go into a board battle and win the puck with smart positioning, quick hands and a solid motor.

Eklund always tries to make a smart move by combining many good plays. Ultimately, he will need to show he can play and produce against men and overcome his smaller frame.

Filip Ekberg, LW, Ottawa (OHL), 5-foot-10, 168 pounds

It was a bit of a surprise when Ekberg joined the Ottawa 67's this summer after playing 21 games against men in Sweden's Allsvenskan level. 

Ekberg is a highly skilled, cerebral offensive player. He buzzes around the ice, hunts the puck down and looks to get the puck into dangerous positions. He is also an impressive playmaker who can find the smallest of seams to pass through. 

His style of play should translate seamlessly to the OHL, where he and Luca Pinelli could form a lethal duo.

Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL), 5-foot-7, 157 pounds

There is no denying the talent that Adam Benak possesses. 

If he weren’t 5-foot-7, he would likely be a much higher-rated player because his offensive tools are stupendous. Benak can make plays with a puck that most players in hockey simply can not do. 

Benak is coming to the USHL, where he will likely put up gaudy offensive numbers and showcase his elite-level skill. It will be interesting to see just how high Benak will go in June because his raw skill, speed, dynamism and drive are among the best in the draft class.

Luka Radivojevic, D, Orebro Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-10, 165 pounds

Although he is a bit undersized for a defender, Radivojevic is an incredibly intriguing prospect who has already played a handful of games in the Swedish League. 

Radivojevic's offensive game is built on deceptive passing and quick feet. His ability to push the puck up ice in transition is a major asset as he looks to spend as little time in his defensive zone as possible. 

When he is forced to play in his own end, he plays smart, positional hockey by using his mobility and stick to defend. There’s plenty of upside for Radivojevic, and if he can excel in the SHL this year, he could be one of the first defenders off the board.

Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ. (NCAA), 6-foot-2, 183 pounds

Yet another NCAA player in the draft class, Boumedienne can be an instantly effective player for Boston University. 

While it may not be quite what we saw from Zeev Buium or Artyom Levshunov last year, Boumedienne could easily play himself into the top half of the first round in June. 

He can fly up the ice with the puck, draw pressure and open up passing lanes for himself in transition. The young Swede is patient with the puck, never rushing a pass. His defensive game will be the big question for him, but the college game is an excellent spot for him to work on it.

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, LW/C/RW, Lulea Jr. (Swe.), 6-foot-3, 185 pounds

After a wickedly productive year at the U-20 level, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak has some big expectations to live up to for his draft year. 

He has the size NHL teams love, has consistently performed well internationally and is a power-play machine. His finishing talent is undeniable. 

There are some areas Ihs-Wozniak must work on in his game, but his raw shooting talent and production both stand out enough to intrigue scouts coming into the year. 

If he can become more of an involved passer and engage off the puck, Ihs-Wozniak has a chance to be a top-15 player in the NHL draft class. 

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