{"id":2409,"date":"2025-06-01T13:39:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T10:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vsaworld.com\/blog\/?p=2409"},"modified":"2025-06-01T13:39:47","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T10:39:47","slug":"schaefer-frondell-hagens-headline-2025-nhl-scouting-combine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vsaworld.com\/blog\/schaefer-frondell-hagens-headline-2025-nhl-scouting-combine\/","title":{"rendered":"Schaefer, Frondell, Hagens Headline 2025 NHL Scouting Combine"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine<\/a>, set for June 2-7 at KeyBank Center and LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo, marks the final stage for 90 top prospects to impress NHL teams before the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft in Los Angeles on June 27-28. Among the standouts are Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Djurgarden center Anton Frondell, and Boston College center James Hagens, each vying to solidify their status as potential top picks. \u201cThe NHL Combine is a rite of passage,\u201d said NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr. \u201cIt\u2019s a week full of interviews, medicals, and fitness testing where clubs learn about the future stars of our game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Schaefer: Top-Ranked Defenseman<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Schaefer (6-foot-2, 183 pounds), the No. 1 North American skater on Central Scouting\u2019s final rankings, is projected as a potential No. 1 overall pick for the New York Islanders, who won the 2025 Draft Lottery. Despite a challenging season, the 17-year-old Erie Otters defenseman showcased elite two-way ability, posting 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and a plus-21 rating in 17 OHL games. His campaign was disrupted by mononucleosis, sidelining him for nine games, and a broken clavicle sustained at the 2025 World Junior Championship, requiring surgery on December 30 and causing him to miss 46 games, including playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cleared for contact on May 1, Schaefer will participate in most combine tests, including the Maximal VO2 and Wingate Cycle Ergometer tests, but will skip pull-ups and bench press. His recovery included extensive physiotherapy, and he drew inspiration from Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, a former Erie star who overcame a similar injury. \u201cHe told me to take my time and make sure it heals fully,\u201d Schaefer said. Scouts compare Schaefer to Columbus\u2019 Zach Werenski for his skating and hockey sense, with some seeing shades of Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar in his dynamic play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anton Frondell: International Star<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frondell (6-1, 198 pounds), the No. 1 international skater, leads 20 international prospects at the combine. The 18-year-old Djurgarden center, playing in Sweden\u2019s second division, recorded 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 games despite knee surgery in September. His powerful skating, high compete level, and bullet shot make him a dual-threat, projecting as a top-six NHL center or wing. Frondell\u2019s late-season surge, averaging nearly double the league\u2019s shots per 60, has elevated his stock, with some mock drafts slotting him third to Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frondell\u2019s teammate, Victor Eklund (5-11, 161 pounds), ranked No. 2 internationally, also attends. The 18-year-old right wing tallied 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games, showcasing speed and a high motor. His seven points in 16 playoff games and performance at the 2025 World Juniors for Sweden bolster his case as a first-round talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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