Boston University men’s hockey made a major statement at the 2025 NHL Draft, with seven Terriers selected within the top 76 picks, the second of any NCAA program. Aside from returner Sascha Boumedienne, who was picked 28th overall in the first round by the Winnipeg Jets, BU had six incoming or future Terriers selected.
Haoxi ‘Simon’ Wang | D | Round 2, Pick 1 | 33rd overall | San Jose Sharks
The Sharks wasted no time on Day Two to select defenseman Simon Wang with the first pick in the second round, going 33rd overall. Wang, the highest-drafted Chinese-born player ever, was widely regarded by scouts as one of the top skaters in this year’s class.
The 6-foot-6, 223-pound blue-liner is a two-way defenseman combining his physical presence with strong puck-moving abilities. He said he aims to model his game after Colton Parayko and Victor Hedman.
Wang’s unique story sets him apart from the rest of his draft class.
“I never really knew this game, how it’s supposed to be played, until 14, so I’m always the underdog,” Wang said. “I always have distance to catch up, so I still have the hunger in me, so I have the drive that I’ve got to get better every single day to catch up to them.”
Set to return to the OHL as a top defenseman, Wang will spend one more year developing his game before joining the Terriers for the 2026–2027 season.
Carter Amico | D | Round 2, Pick 6 | 38th overall | Philadelphia Flyers
In the second round, the Philadelphia Flyers traded the 36th and 68th overall picks to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for the 38th and 57th selections. The move allowed the Flyers to secure Carter Amico with their first pick of the round at 38.
Amico played just 13 games with the U.S. Under-18 Team last season due to injury but tallied 17 points (1 goal, 16 assists) over two seasons with the USNTDP. He also earned a silver medal with Team USA at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, competing alongside fellow draftees and future Terriers Jack Murtagh, Conrad Fondrk, and Charlie Trethewey.
The penalty kill specialist averaged 1.6 blocked shots per game pre-injury, showcasing his ability to block lanes in the slot and challenge opponents at the blue line.
Standing at 6-foot-5, his greatest asset is his physicality, bringing pro-level size and strength to the ice. If he can refine his decision-making on the rush and stay healthy heading into the fall, he has the potential to become a key contributor to BU’s defensive core.
Jack Murtagh | LW | Round 2, Pick 8 | 40th overall | Philadelphia Flyers
One future Terrier wasn’t enough for the Philadelphia Flyers, as they used their second second-round pick on Jack Murtagh.
The 6-foot-1 forward tallied 53 points (22 goals, 31 assists) for the USNTDP last season and helped Team USA claim a bronze medal in the U-18 World Championships, recording six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games.
“I’m just a high-end workforce that has a good shot, and I bring a lot to the table every night,” Murtagh said when describing his game.
The East Greenbush, N.Y., native is an explosive winger able to beat opponents to pucks and generate offensive chances. He maintains stride through contact, releasing powerful and precise wrist shots in motion.
“I think I play like a version of Matthew Tkachuk,” Murtagh said. “I think when I am at my best, I am playing physical, fast, hard, and heavy. I get the puck in my stick a lot, and I like to shoot the puck.”
Conrad Fondrk | C | Round 2, Pick 18 | 50th overall | New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils used their first pick in the second round to select Conrad Fondrk at 50. The St. Paul, Minn., native spent the last two seasons with the USNTDP, where he played alongside future teammates Amico, Murtagh, and Trethewey.
Fondrk is a consistent scoring threat from the top of the circle and the inner slot, where he can find soft spots in coverage to generate chances. Measuring at 6 feet, the forward recorded a 13-14-27 line last season.
When asked to describe his game after being selected, Fondrk called himself a “playmaker” who is always looking out for his teammates.
Fondrk is currently recovering from a leg injury but anticipates contributing to the Terriers in the fall.
“I’m definitely going to do as much as I can to contribute…they’re going to give me some opportunity, and it’s just up to me to kind of capitalize on that,” Fondrk said.
Charlie Trethewey | D | Round 3, Pick 9 | 73rd overall | Pittsburgh Penguins
Charlie Trethewey was the first pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round, going 73rd overall. The blue-liner recorded 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) this past season with the NTDP, playing in 63 games.
Trethewey is no stranger to Pittsburgh. The defensemen skated for the Penguins Elite under-14 and under-15 teams before joining the Little Caesars AAA program in 2022, prior to playing for the NTDP.
At 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, Trethewey is known for his imposing frame and powerful shot. His combination of mobility, physical strength, and shooting ability makes him a highly skilled two-way defender.
When asked what he wants to improve upon at BU in the upcoming season, Trethewey explained he wants to fine-tune many aspects of his game. He said he is “just trying to get to that next level.”
Malte Vass | D | Round 3, Pick 12 | 76th overall | Columbus Blue Jackets
The final soon-to-be Terrier selected was Malte Vass, who was taken 76th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus acquired the pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for their fourth-round selection (No. 109 overall) this year and a fourth-rounder in the 2026 draft.
Last season, Vass played for Färjestad BK’s J20 squad, posting two goals and nine assists in 40 games. He also represented Team Sweden at the U-18 World Championships.
The 6-foot-2, 194-pound blue-liner is widely regarded as a ‘play-killer’ whose best trait is his physicality. In terms of areas of improvement, he may need to polish his puck management. However, if he is placed on a line alongside fellow Swede Boumedienne, we could see productivity that mirrors that of the Boumedienne-Tom Willander line last season.
