The 2025 NHL admission draft finally ended after four and a half hours of first round play on Friday night (June 27). During a two-day event held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California, from June 27 to 28, 224 players from around the world heard their names were called on the NHL’s largest stage. They know where they will have the rights in the next few seasons, and the team drafting them is storing prospect cabinets in hopes that some of their options will benefit in the future. The Carolina Hurricanes won seven draft picks on the second day, trading their 29th overall pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in the evening draft. They got 34 and 62 draft picks in the second round and gave them more draft picks after not starting the second day into the draft. Eventually, they made several trades and had four draft picks in the second round.
That is, who is the new face of the Hurricane Group?
Hello, my name is…
Overall No. 41 – G (Spartak JR – Russia) Semyon Frolov (Russia)
The first choice Hurricane made during the draft was Russian goalkeeper Semyon Frolov. According to NHL Central Scouting, Flov is considered the second goalkeeper in Europe. 6-foot-3, 203-pound Netminder averaged 2.05 goals and 0.915 savings percentage in 13 matches of MHK Spartak Moskva in the 2024-25 Russian Youth League. Flov also had two armistice last season. He signed for the same club in Russia in 2025-26 and became the main starter.
Flov is considered a fast mesh, also relies on his legs plus foot movement. Even with the traffic ahead, he has enough skills to be excellent in tracking hockey. One thing he needs to deal with is that he is a guy who descends too early in the crease. He left the space near the crossbar, which provided the shooter with the goal of the entire game. In addition, he didn’t feel relaxed when playing hockey. However, Flov does have the foundation and ability to make key savings under pressure, which suggests that some have the potential to be NHL starters with proper coaching and development.
Overall No. 49 – Charlie Cerrato, C (Pennsylvania State University – NCAA)
Only a few draft picks have been made after the Hurricane’s first non-Russian in the draft, U.S. center Charlie Cerrato left Penn State. Nittany Lions’ MD Local Medicine scored 15 goals and 42 points in 38 big 10 NCAA games. Cerrato was named the finalist of the “Top Ten Freshman” Award. What sets him apart is his ability to be a tough previewer to win the hockey battle. He is also seen as a person with heavy shots and can perform hockey by setting up tailing players. His skills in the confrontation also jumped out of the page, which is the value of a hurricane. Cerrato’s two-way match was surprising because he was someone who always attracted his opponents. Whether he clamps the stick or queues up to hit, Cerrato’s defensive game fits well into the Hurricane’s system.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Guide
Cerrato was ranked 70th by TSN’s Craig buttons and was 110th North American skaters for NHL Central Scouting. With the Nitany Lions looking to make another appearance in the NCAA’s Frozen Four, he is expected to return to Penn State.
62nd – Ivan Ryabkin, C (Muskigan Lumberjack – American Hockey League)
With the second round of the game, the Hurricane returned to the Russian player. However, this time it is the center of the American Hockey League (USHL). The player is Muskigan lumberjack center Ivan Ryabkin, who won the Clark Cup in 2024-25. The 18-year-old Balakovo Russian native scored 19 goals and 30 points in 27 games in the USHL regular season. During the playoffs, Ryabkin scored seven goals and 16 points in 14 games. He set up nine ratings while 30 minutes of free throws. Ryabkin is seen by many as the one who should be in the first round of the draft. After he was selected 62 points in the second round, some people regarded it as a Hurricane’s steal.
What Ryabkin sticks with is the ability to slow down the game and attract opponents. He waited for the best time to bring people into him, and then he used silky tricks to make room for himself. His depravity and deception may be the best or at least one of the top ten throughout the draft. Moreover, his ability to protect the hockey makes it difficult for him to acquire property in the game. His strength and size are perfect for him to create space anywhere on the ice and keep the puck in control.
Another great skill Ryabkin has is how he makes a lot of shot selection, especially from a tough perspective. His shooting ranges from tough, accurate attorneys to dangerous backhands in order to make deceptive shots on goalkeepers. However, one aspect of his game that needs improvement is always being present and keeping pace with his game. He showed a flash of not keeping up with the pace, which led to his transitional defensive gap. If his back checks start to lack, it can lead to one-dimensional gameplay and is a problem that his defensive IQ needs to solve. Overall, he is a skilled player who needs to develop his own defensive game.
Overall 67th – Kurban Limatov of D (Dynamo Moscow JR – Russia)
In the final option of round 2, the Hurricane kept the Russian pipeline forward, this time turning to the ice’s defensive end. After a trade with the Los Angeles Kings, they ranked 67th, capturing Kurban Limatov (125th overall and 2026 third-round pick) promoted in the draft. MOSKVA, the Russian native scored 8 goals and 23 points in 46 matches in MHK Dynamo Moscow. Liatov is seen as a large mobile defender who can be physically on both sides of the game. What the 18-year-old 6-foot-4 defender has always insisted on how he has performed in skating and playing. He found a way to make his drama seem shocking because of the explosiveness of his transitional effects.
He could find a way to escape the premonition when he broke through and then see him transport the puck to the neutral zone. Liatov made his skating look seamless through the heavy impulse of crossing the border. What helps make his skating look easy is how he uses a strong foundation with a strong body, which has the ideal depth throughout his pace.
Related: A review of the 2024 NHL Introduction Draft for Carolina Hurricanes
Limatov is the perfect mold for the Hurricane to look for in a two-way defender, especially when you get extra rewards on his size and body. He brought in size, coverage and strength to fight on pre-check and counterchecks, which assistant coach Tim Gleason liked among his defenders. Additionally, his playing style allowed him to see him winning a lot of hockey battles, winning net areas along the board and net front sections that were crucial to hurricanes and they needed some net faces.
Overall No. 87-Roman Bosov, D (Dynamo St. Petersburg JR – Russia)
The Hurricanes’ only third-round pick is another Russian defender, who is 10th in the final two drafts. They selected Roman Bausov of MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg in No. 87. The 18-year-old St. Petersburg native scored two goals and 11 points in 41 matches in the Russian Youth League. The thing that insists is that Bausov is an impressive 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds. Right shot right back ranked 34th in European skateboarding through NHL Central Scouting.
Bausov’s appeal comes from his huge frame and solid mechanical foundation. This leads to his defensive range, something to appreciate, especially because of his figure and how to match the striker’s footwork through all areas of the ice. Being able to do this on open ice and on board makes it hard for him to get around him. His long influence allowed him to throw the puck away from his opponent’s stick, causing the puck to change property and transition in another way.
His ability to track games effectively makes the area cover a lot. Bausov shows how to create pressure behind the net without leaving any space in the crease. Furthermore, he knows when to take positive moves to break down the cycle and block the opponent’s long-term offense. He will play for MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg next season.
No. 183 – LW’s Viggo Nordlund (Skelleftea Aik Jr – Sweden)
The Russians’ match ended in round 6, nearly two hours between the two draft picks when the Hurricane chose Swedish winger Viggo Nordlund from the Skelleftea Aik J20 team. The Ingarö locals scored 24 goals and 49 points in 40 J20 Nationell games. He also scored six goals and 12 points in six playoff games. The assistant captain scored nine goals and 35 points in the first season of 37 games. Nordlund is 5-foot-9, a left shooter, and the guy who brings speed and seductive Dekes in his skill pack.
His offensive talent level makes the dynamic of a man with quick handling and elusive skating. This combination allows him to beat the defender 1-on-1 and create an offense in every offense in the offensive zone. He almost has Martin Necas’ offensive zone, plus his speed. However, he doesn’t always perform for Skelleftea’s solo show. During the J20 Nationell season, Nordlund’s ability to start sprinting was superb. He is looking for ways to position himself in the right position to find those teammates who have been passing hard and even easily to the right position. His offensive IQ gives him the ability to create opportunities for some high-crisis opportunities.
He is expected to be on loan at IK OSKARSHAMN on hockey players in the 2025-26 season.
221 – LW’s Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67S – Ontario Hockey League)
After 84 years of feeling, the Hurricanes’ final draft pick is the 7th round NHL draft pick. They entered Filip Ekberg of the Ottawa 67s in the last pick in No. 221. The 5-foot-10-foot, 168-pound product scored 16 goals and 45 points in 53 OHL games. He scored 15 goals and 27 points in 19 matches in international matches, including 18 points in the U18 World Championship. Ekberg is ranked 178th in NHL Central Scouting, but is expected to be selected in round 3 or 4.
Ekberg’s scoring ability is a topic of U18 world junior, where he leads the game with 10 goals and 18 points. His quick hands, volatile footwork, high-end awareness and excellent speed make him a dynamic offensive player. Ekberg is seen as a brain tactician who is an offensive role. He looks forward to the flow of the game and always finds ways to give himself time to do the right game. In the offensive zone, Ekberg always finds those crossed pass lanes that create opportunities.
What made Ekberg hold tightly was his patience. He holds the puck, which forces the defense to bite, and when they do, he pays. He might be that surprising left wing, sneaking in the system to the right. His hockey IQ was underestimated because he saw the next game before picking up the others. His fast foot and speed make him firm in all areas of the offensive zone. The final choice for the Hurricane Draft, which is undoubtedly the option they look for among players.
The draft is over, open free agent
Now that the draft is over, all attractions are set on Tuesday, July 1, as the free agent and re-signation phase begins in the NHL. Hurricanes, which received seven prospects at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, are now turning their eyes to the organization. It would be fun to see the Hurricane in free agents on day one and beyond. They are heading towards the 2025 offseason after another great draft for General Manager Eric Tulsky, Deputy General Manager Darren Yorke and the Hurricane Scouts. Only time can tell its development, but overall, it adds more talent to the prospect pool of hurricanes for a solid few days.
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