Now that the 2025 NHL Draft is officially over, it is time to put a bow on the draft that was. The Utah Mammoth made seven total picks in the draft and did fairly well. Before we transition to free agency, let's recap who they picked and what either myself, Tony Ferrari from the Hockey News or Elite Prospects had to say about each player.
Round 1, Pick 4: Caleb Desnoyers
Team: Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
2024–25 Stats: 35 G, 49 A, 84 P, 39 PIM
DOB: April 11, 2007
Position: C
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 172 lbs
My scouting report from Desnoyers' draft target:
"Desnoyers has some of the best hockey IQ in the entire draft. He is known as a playmaker, and excels a ton in the offensive zone. His passing ability is elite, he can find any one of his teammates from just about anywhere on the ice. He also is great off the rush, he can snap a pass at any time, which makes him a huge threat. In terms of his shot, it isn't as good as others in the top 5-10, but he can score. This past year in junior, he had 35 goals, he isn't going to be an Auston Matthews but he can still score 20-25 goals per season at the pro level.
Desnoyers is a traditional center icemen, he is good in the neutral zone and his own zone. He back checks hard, gets his sticks in lane and blocks shots. He also has the ability to quickly transition on a turnover, with a good breakout pass. Desnoyers also has a bit of a mean streak, he isn't going to drop the gloves, but he isn't afraid to use his size whether it be throwing hits or battling in the corners, he has a motor that is always working.
Round 2, Pick 46: Max Psenicka
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
2024–25 Stats: 1 G, 6 A, 7 P
DOB: Jan, 18, 2007
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185 lbs
Here's what Elite Prospects had to say about Psenicka:
"With a never-quit attitude and quick feet, Pšenička is always impacting the play. He denies entries with well-timed pokes off the rush, aggressive step-ups, and hits. Along the walls, he wins inside position as soon as possible, intercepts opponents with his shoulder, and immobilizes them. Instantly rotating and switching assignments, he’s rarely behind the play – and he has the reach and quickness to correct mistakes."
Round 3, Pick 78: Stepan Hoch
Team: HC Motor České Budějovice
2024–25 Stats: 12 G, 17 A, 29 P
DOB: Oct 11, 2006
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 192 lbs
Here's what Elite Prospects had to say about him:
"Whether playing on the wing or down the middle – both positions he appeared in throughout the year – Hoch has an aura of maturity while he steps on the ice. He’s at his best when his teammates fill the F1 role, allowing him to take a step back, read the breakout and react accordingly while leveraging his reach for interceptions and breakups. When the play enters the defensive zone, he scans actively, recognizes threats, and eliminates them methodically"
Round 4, Pick 110: Yegor Borikov
Team: Dinamo Minsk of the KHL.
2024–25 Stats: 12 G, 13 A, 25 P
DOB: Aug 28, 2005
Position: Winger
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 185 lbs
Here's what Elite Prospects had to say about him:
"A legitimate threat from a distance, Borikov's shot packs a lot of power. He makes his opportunities count, picking holes in the goalie’s coverage. He also displayed an ability to find soft spots in the offensive zone to catch passes and load up that release."
Round 5, Pick 142: Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko
Team: Tolpar UFA (MHL)
2024–25 Stats: 23-8-7, 2.99 GAA, .908 SV%
DOB: May 30, 2007
Position: Goalie
Catches: Left
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 185 lbs
Here's what Elite Prospects had to say about him:
"Tkach-Tkachenko has good size and plays extremely aggressively, getting out on top of his crease quickly to challenge shooters. He makes his 6-foot-3 frame even larger in the process, and almost dares shooters to aim high glove, which he can quickly take away on most sequences."
Round 6, Pick 174: Ludvig Johnson
Team: HC Fribourg-Gottéron (NL)
2024–25 Stats: 4 G, 13 A, 17 P
DOB: July 27, 2006
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 181 lbs
Here's my analysis on his game:
The Swiss-born hockey player is a great skater, who has very ohhh hockey IQ. He is more of an offensive threat, who only averaged 15 minutes per night. If he had gotten more time, he could have scored more than 17 points. As you can tell by his assist total, he is a pass-first blue liner, who likes to set up his teammates. After being passed over in his first year of eligibility, he had his named called this year and if Utah can develop him properly with patience, he could find himself playing in the NHL in the future.
Round 6, Pick 182: Reko Alanko
Team: Jokerit (Mestis)
2024–25 Stats: 4 G, 9 A, 13 P
DOB: July 15, 2007
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 207 lbs
Here's what Elite Prospects had to say about him:
Alanko is a towering defenceman who shows poise with the puck both on breakouts and in the OZ. He moves the puck quickly when it's the right play, but has the confidence not to pull the trigger when he doesn’t like what he's seeing, deceiving forecheckers, & manoeuvring around them before finding a higher-value option.
Utah added seven more prospects to their already deep prospect pool, where they will continue to develop. For now, Utah will turn their attention to free agency and other ways to improve their NHL roster, as will we here at The Hockey News. However, over the course of the 2025-26 season, we will occasionally check in to see how they are all doing.
