Brandon Gorzynski -2025 NHL Prospect Prospect profile – Hockey writer – NHL competition draft

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Brandon Gorzynski

2024-25 Team: Calgary Killer (WHL)
Date of birth: March 12, 2007
Place of birth: Scottsdale, Arizona
HT: 6 feet 2 wt: 181 lbs
Shooting: Left
Location: LW
NHL Draft Qualification: Qualifications in 2025

Ranking

Brandon Gorzynski has been flying under radar for most of this season. The 6-foot-2 left wing and Calgary Killer’s left wing hit, offensive game, his size and speed can push the game and hit the net to regain rebounds and get a scoring chance. He can be an effective blender under the opposition’s skin, but is also powerful in defense, and is often killed by killing killers.

Related: THW’s 2025 NHL Draft Guide

When Gorzynski is in front of the net, he is the best. He is a big presence, the ideal player to end a rebound or jump on a turnover and turn it into a scoring chance. His scale has a good mobility that allows him to get in and out of traffic, and he is chasing hockey and entering more difficult areas to gain possession. In addition to a decent vision and offensive instinct, he is usually able to get into the right position at the right time to get the final push needed to complete the game. He also has fast, accurate shots, deceptive releases, beating goalkeepers who aren’t ready for it.

The rest of Gorzynski’s offensive game isn’t that strong. Despite his speed, mobility and vision, he has no best expectations, which limits his impact as a prime minister’s terminator. This also hinders his ability to be a top organizer as he is not the best hockey handler, earning an average of 83% speed and a 4.9 giveaway per game.

Brandon Gorzynski, Photo by Jenn Pierce/Calgary Hitmen

Nevertheless, Gorzynski made great progress in his rookie season. After joining the Killer in September 2023, he scored only four goals and scored nine points in 42 games. This season, he almost achieved offensive output, scoring 17 goals in 68 games and recording 42 points. He was Calgary’s fourth highest score in the playoffs, scoring four goals and eight points in 11 games. Most players in the Western Conference Hockey League (WHL) have at least one and a half seasons before entering the NHL draft, but as Gorzynski started the 2023-24 season with a U16 team in the U.S. team, he has taken a step in some of his companions. He can be seen really takeoff next season, especially if Carson Wetsch is no longer with the group.

Gorzynski also performed well. He positioned himself well in the post check, showing a well-developed defensive instinct and a sense of where he should break the game and block. His 27 ratings are fourth among Calgary’s forwards, but he is the only one to compete in 68 games. He lacks aggression on defense, the aggressiveness he shows in the prep and does not have the same effect on the highest lines of other teams, but he can build a solid foundation in the future.

Other draft information

Brandon Gorzynski – NHL Draft Projection

Although TSN analyst Craig Button presumes him as a second-round pick, Gorzynski seems more likely to fall into the middle of the 2025 draft. He remains a primitive offensive forward and he needs to see growth in most areas of the game, and despite his strong two-way potential, he is a more risky investment for the NHL team. Still, depending on his figure, he should end the third round pick.

quotation marks

“Gorzynski moved up 31 spots on the final NHL Central Scouting list, and for good reason. The 6-foot-2 center is a great supporting forward who makes everyone around him better because he lets them focus on getting into scoring lanes. Gorzynski will never be a playdriver, but he works hard to win pump battles and is willing to compete in congested areas of the ice. He’s always moving and trying to challenge down Parks (Pucks). – Steven Ellis, Daily Stand-up

“In the offensive zone, it’s where Gorzynski flourished. He’s a shotmaker and has few networks with a chance to get a hockey. Gorzynski can also understand where he needs to get quality shots, which is why he’s often developed in Speception. Deployment is to chase players who are throwing junk, not bringing the hockey into the offensive zone. – Adam Kierszenblat, Hockey News

“Gorzynski is always in the sport, either first or immediately putting pressure on the hockey carrier. His direct route and physicality force opponents to panic, punish them, and win possession. He skaters at speed, knocks down sticks, knocks down sticks and collides with opponents, creates space for his teammates and is always running around him. – Elite prospects

Advantages

Offensive area
Defensive positioning
flexibility

Under construction/improvement

Defensive aggression
Strength and body
Hockey control

NHL Potential

Gorzynski is expected to be a solid defensive winger or regular on the checkout line. He needs to add a lot of strength to his game so he can win more hockey battles (average 48% success rate per game this season) and needs to add more physical advantages to his game to reach his potential, but as his career continues to work on the Junior Man, he should continue his career. He is a project, but has less risk than others within the expected draft range.