Centres Koblar and Hopkins are first two Leaf picks at NHL draft
The Maple Leafs waited a long time for their first pick at the NHL draft, then went a long way to find him.
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Welcome to Toronto Tinus Luc Koblar, a wispy 6-foot-3 centre of Norwegian-Slovenian descent, who played for Leksands juniors in the Swedish league. He was ranked 56 th among international skaters by Central Scouting and had eight goals and 21 points in 43 games last season.
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Welcome to the family, Tinus Luc Koblar 🔹 pic.twitter.com/5y72Cs4vJF
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 28, 2025
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The Leafs picked 56th overall on Saturday at the end of the second round, having traded their first-rounder to Chicago and holding Florida's selection. They last went for a Norwegian-born player in 2010, Sondre Olden, another tall kid, who also played in Sweden and though he came to camp in North America, he never made the NHL.
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In the third round, 86th overall, Toronto looked closer to home with Tyler Hopkins, a 6-foot-1 centre with the Kingston Frontenacs. The Campbellville native amassed 51 points in 67 games with five assists in 11 playoff appearances.
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