Latest news with #Reschny
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canucks select Cootes with 15th pick at NHL draft; Flames snag Reschny at No. 18
LOS ANGELES - Braeden Cootes spent a year living in Vancouver. The Canucks' opening-round pick at the 2025 NHL draft is hoping it's eventually home for a long time. The first Canadian club to make a selection Friday night chose the centre from the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds at No. 15. 'Honestly, kind of blacked out for a second,' Cootes said. 'It was crazy. It was an unbelievable moment I'll always remember.' The 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta., put up 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points across 60 games as Seattle's captain in 2024-25. Cootes lived in Vancouver for a year earlier in his teens and is familiar with the city. 'Went to quite a few Canucks games,' said the five-foot-11, 183-pound forward. 'This is unbelievable.' Vancouver finished 10th in the Western Conference last season, six points below the playoff cutline. 'I love it out west,' Cootes said. 'Couldn't be happier.' The Canucks have already been active this off-season, acquiring Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, while fellow winger Brock Boeser is set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. The Montreal Canadiens owned the 16th and 17th picks, but dealt both to the New York Islanders along with forward Emil Heineman for defenceman Noah Dobson in a blockbuster swap. The Calgary Flames were the next Canadian club on the draft board, selecting centre Cole Reschny with the 18th overall pick. The Senators chose defenceman Logan Hensler with No. 23 pick after trading down from No. 21 in a deal with the Nashville Predators that also secured the 67th overall pick for Ottawa. The Winnipeg Jets took Swedish defenceman Sascha Boumedienne at No. 28 before the Flames rounded out the first day of the draft by nabbing centre Cullen Potter at No. 32. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers previously traded their first-round picks. Rounds two through seven go Saturday. The 18-year-old Reschny registered 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) in 62 games with the WHL's Victoria Royals in 2024-25. 'Special just getting this opportunity to be drafted by such a great organization,' said the product of Macklin, Sask. 'But it's also a dream come true. It's something I've worked towards my whole life and my young hockey career. 'I can't wait to get started with the Flames.' Reschny added that growing up in a community of 1,200 people helped mould him on and off the ice. 'It's a blue-collar town,' he said of Macklin, which is close to the border with Alberta. 'We're lucky. We've got a nice rink there. We've got nice ball diamonds and a nice nine-hole golf course. I helped my grandparents on the farm for a lot of years, my dad on the farm. 'It just shaped me into the hard-working and competitive guy I am today.' Reschny didn't have a great start to his draft-eligible season, but came on strong in the second half of the schedule and the playoffs. 'I'm very confident,' he said. 'I just tried to stay level-headed all throughout the year. I knew it was a big year for me. Getting this opportunity to go through this process was special. 'It was just sticking to it and having the right mindset of getting better day in and day out. That was the mindset I had, and it worked out for me.' The six-foot-two, 192-pound Hensler had two goals and 10 assists in 32 games at the University of Wisconsin in 2024-25. The product of Woodbury, Minn., was part of the United States team that won gold at the 2025 world junior hockey championship in Ottawa back in January. 'It's been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid to play in the NHL,' Hensler said. 'All good emotions … I'm super excited.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canucks select Cootes with 15th pick at NHL draft; Flames snag Reschny at No. 18
LOS ANGELES – Braeden Cootes spent a year living in Vancouver. The Canucks' opening-round pick at the 2025 NHL draft is hoping it's eventually home for a long time. The first Canadian club to make a selection Friday night chose the centre from the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds at No. 15. 'Honestly, kind of blacked out for a second,' Cootes said. 'It was crazy. It was an unbelievable moment I'll always remember.' The 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta., put up 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points across 60 games as Seattle's captain in 2024-25. Cootes lived in Vancouver for a year earlier in his teens and is familiar with the city. 'Went to quite a few Canucks games,' said the five-foot-11, 183-pound forward. 'This is unbelievable.' Vancouver finished 10th in the Western Conference last season, six points below the playoff cutline. 'I love it out west,' Cootes said. 'Couldn't be happier.' The Canucks have already been active this off-season, acquiring Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, while fellow winger Brock Boeser is set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. The Montreal Canadiens owned the 16th and 17th picks, but dealt both to the New York Islanders along with forward Emil Heineman for defenceman Noah Dobson in a blockbuster swap. The Calgary Flames were the next Canadian club on the draft board, selecting centre Cole Reschny with the 18th overall pick. The Senators chose defenceman Logan Hensler with No. 23 pick after trading down from No. 21 in a deal with the Nashville Predators that also secured the 67th overall pick for Ottawa. The Winnipeg Jets took Swedish defenceman Sascha Boumedienne at No. 28 before the Flames rounded out the first day of the draft by nabbing centre Cullen Potter at No. 32. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers previously traded their first-round picks. Rounds two through seven go Saturday. The 18-year-old Reschny registered 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) in 62 games with the WHL's Victoria Royals in 2024-25. 'Special just getting this opportunity to be drafted by such a great organization,' said the product of Macklin, Sask. 'But it's also a dream come true. It's something I've worked towards my whole life and my young hockey career. 'I can't wait to get started with the Flames.' Reschny added that growing up in a community of 1,200 people helped mould him on and off the ice. 'It's a blue-collar town,' he said of Macklin, which is close to the border with Alberta. 'We're lucky. We've got a nice rink there. We've got nice ball diamonds and a nice nine-hole golf course. I helped my grandparents on the farm for a lot of years, my dad on the farm. 'It just shaped me into the hard-working and competitive guy I am today.' Reschny didn't have a great start to his draft-eligible season, but came on strong in the second half of the schedule and the playoffs. 'I'm very confident,' he said. 'I just tried to stay level-headed all throughout the year. I knew it was a big year for me. Getting this opportunity to go through this process was special. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'It was just sticking to it and having the right mindset of getting better day in and day out. That was the mindset I had, and it worked out for me.' The six-foot-two, 192-pound Hensler had two goals and 10 assists in 32 games at the University of Wisconsin in 2024-25. The product of Woodbury, Minn., was part of the United States team that won gold at the 2025 world junior hockey championship in Ottawa back in January. 'It's been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid to play in the NHL,' Hensler said. 'All good emotions … I'm super excited.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Edmonton Journal
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Flames draft high-scoring centre Cole Reschny
Article content He found another gear in the playoffs, with nine tallies and 16 assists in 11 spring showdowns. 'Good western boy,' beamed Flames general manager Craig Conroy on the broadcast. 'We're looking for centres, so we were hoping he was going to be there and, sure enough, we got a break.' Reschny, who was part of Canada's golden group at the World Under-18s, has committed to the NCAA's North Dakota Fighting Hawks. He is listed at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds and has a lefty curve on his stick. Scouts have praised Reschny's playmaking skills, his hockey sense and his tenacity. He won 56.4 percent of his faceoffs this winter. The Flames are slated to select again at No. 32 overall.
Calgary Herald
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Flames draft high-scoring centre Cole Reschny
Article content The Calgary Flames are searching for future difference-makers at the centre position. Article content They think Cole Reschny fits the bill. Article content The Flames selected Reschny with the No. 18 overall pick in Friday's first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Article content This talented teen from Macklin, Sask., racked up 26 goals and 92 points in 62 outings this season with the Victoria Royals, finishing ninth in the Western Hockey League scoring race. Article content Article content He found another gear in the playoffs, with nine tallies and 16 assists in 11 spring showdowns. Article content Article content 'Good western boy,' beamed Flames general manager Craig Conroy on the broadcast. 'We're looking for centres, so we were hoping he was going to be there and, sure enough, we got a break.' Article content Reschny, who was part of Canada's golden group at the World Under-18s, has committed to the NCAA's North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Article content
Global News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
McQueen, Reschny lead Saskatchewan contingent of prospects ahead of 2025 NHL Draft
Back home with his family in Saskatoon this month, Roger McQueen has been given the chance to take a breath after a WHL season which tested him at the best of times. Now the pressure is ramping back up yet again, as he awaits to hear his name called at the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday in Los Angeles. 'It's one of the biggest moments in a while for me and it's insane how quick it's moved,' said McQueen. 'Just thinking about 10 years ago me on the pond, just hanging out on my own. It's crazy how far I've come and it's going to be cool to finally get my name called.' Few draft-eligible players have overcome as many hurdles as McQueen this year, following a 2024-25 campaign with the Brandon Wheat Kings which did not go according to plan. Story continues below advertisement Racing out of the gates with eight goals and 11 points in just eight games, McQueen was tabbed as a sure fire top-10 prospect ahead of the 2025 draft. That was until his season grinded to a halt in mid-October as he suffered a back injury which included fractured vertebrae, keeping him out of the Wheat Kings lineup for close to five months before making his return in early March. Given a clean bill of health, the six-foot-five-inch tall McQueen was a full participant at the recent NHL Draft combine where he met with 24 teams and has been listed as the eight-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. 'Having this injury this year is obviously tough for anyone,' said McQueen. 'Looking back at it when I'm five years older from now, I think it's going to be probably one of the best things for me. Just in the sense of what I learned and how I've become as a person, the other side of the game in the mental side which arguably could be more important.' Despite the injury, McQueen is expected to be picked anywhere between fifth overall and 15th overall on Friday night with a wide open draft expected following the first few picks. The former Saskatoon AAA Blazers star is one of two Saskatchewan-born players expected to be taken in the first round in Los Angeles, along with Macklin product Cole Reschny. Story continues below advertisement 'It's just so surreal and so special that I have this opportunity,' said Reschny. 'My family and I get to go down to (Los Angeles), enjoy that and experience it. It's pretty cool to see that the day has come. It's honestly crazy; it kind of flew by.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Completing his sophomore season with the Victoria Royals, Reschny became one of the top offensive threats in the WHL posting 26 goals and 92 points in 62 games and is ranked 25th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He followed that up with a gold medal performance with Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World U18 Hockey Championships in Texas, scoring five goals and eight points in five games including an overtime winner to advance past the Czechs in the quarter-finals. 'Getting the opportunity I got there playing meaningful minutes and being put in a lot of big situations was big,' said Reschny. 'I was able to produce myself, but the biggest thing was the team was able to have success and that was a big part of it. It was nice to get that opportunity to finish on a winning note.' Reschny, who has committed to leave the Royals and join the University of North Dakota in the fall, will likely fall in the mid-to-late first round after meeting with 26 NHL teams at the combine and could be the second Blazers alum after McQueen to hear his name called Friday. Story continues below advertisement 1:13 Saskatchewan WHL star Cole Reschny speaks on move to NCAA Down the road in Moose Jaw, Warriors captain Lynden Lakovic is also expected to be a first round selection after leading the team in scoring with 27 goals and 58 points in 47 games. As for Day 2 of the draft on Saturday, up to a dozen picks with Saskatchewan connections could be selected by NHL teams with Dawson Gerwing (Meadow Lake), Reese Hamilton (Whitewood), Joby Baumuller (Wilcox), Kolten Bridgeman (Regina), Jayden Kraus (Prince Albert) and Carson Adair (Clavet) all listed in NHL Central Scouting's final draft rankings. Meanwhile, the WHL's Saskatchewan-based teams will be eagerly anticipating picks with Lakovic, Swift Current Broncos defender Peyton Kettles and Saskatoon Blades import forward David Lewandowski among those expecting to be drafted this weekend. For Lewandowski, who came over to Saskatoon early in the season from Germany, he was able to adapt to the smaller ice surface with 15 goals and 39 points in 52 games. Story continues below advertisement 'It's hard to come from Europe so it's kind of different,' said Lewandowski. 'But I always got my chances from [head coach Dan DaSilva], they always trusted in me. So it was fine.' Lewandowski, who is ranked 51st by NHL Central Scouting and is projected as a second-to-fourth round pick, also got the chance to represent Germany at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa this past winter. He also took part in the combine along with McQueen, Reschny and Lakovic where he finished top-1o in pull ups and was able to meet with eight NHL clubs over the week. 'It was pretty cool to see that,' said Lewandowski. 'You're there doing the test, you look around and then all the people are looking. So it was pretty cool.' Riding a wave of recent Saskatchewan-born first rounders like Brayden Yager, Kevin Korchinski and Berkly Catton, McQueen and Reschny say they're eager to add to that list and take that next step towards the NHL. Story continues below advertisement Reflecting back on his upbringing on the family farm outside of Macklin, Reschny said there's a reason why so many Saskatchewan prospects are hearing their names called early in recent years. 'Saskatchewan just has that hockey identity the way players are, but also as people too,' said Reschny. 'I think the way we grow up here as small-town kids and smaller-city kids gives an identity that helps us and takes us a long way in hockey.' Both Reschny and McQueen will be in Los Angeles alongside family on Friday night, wanting to share their biggest night with those closest to them as they take the next step in their development. 'Obviously it's something you always think about and dream about,' said McQueen. 'I've definitely put some thought (into it) and I'm super excited, hopefully that dream does come true.' The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will begin at 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time, while rounds two through seven will be held on Saturday.
