With the 86th selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs have selected Tyler Hopkins from the Kingston Frontenac of the OHL.
Tyler Hopkins player profile
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 59 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| 2024–25 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 67 | 20 | 31 | 51 |
For a deeper dive, here’s 6ix on Ice’s draft profile for Hopkins:
Analyzing the pick
Tyler Hopkins is a cerebral, NHL projectable player who’s been leaned on heavily this year as Kingston’s second-line centre. Defensively responsible, the focal point of Kingston’s penalty kill this year, Hopkins uses his great skating and intelligence to anticipate and cut off plays in all three zones.
Hopkins is also an excellent off-puck player, who’s excellent at filling his rush lanes and driving the net. There are moments with time and space where he’ll attack with his speed and utilize his soft hands to attack the net, but there are certainly still areas of improvement for him as an individual creator.
What’s next for PLAYER
Hopkins is likely headed back to the OHL with Kingston, where I fully expect him to wear a letter for the Frontenacs. With 1C overager Cedrick Guindon leaving the team, I’m expecting Hopkins to get an opportunity to take over his role on Kingston’s first line and PP1. With more creation responsibilities, I wonder if Hopkins can develop his ability to settle the puck under pressure and improve his deceptiveness as a rush creator.
What do you think about this pick by Brad Treliving? Let us know in the comments below!
