Over the weekend, the Golden Knights prospects took the ice at the South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. VGK’s rookies put forth a pair of excellent performances as a team, walking away with a pair of wins, 8-1 over Utah and 3-2 over Colorado.
(Photo Credit: @Avalanche on X/Twitter)
These types of “tournaments” are held every year, and having watched just about every game over the course of Vegas’ nine seasons, I can confidently say this is the best the group in gold has ever looked. The Golden Knights carried the play for the majority of both games, felt dangerous in the offensive zone and on the rush consistently, and looked like a team that’s been playing together for years (not four days as they actually have) defensively.
Here are eight takeaways from the games.
Braeden Bowman is a stud. He’s not particularly big, he’s not the fastest guy on the ice, and he rarely does anything overly flashy. Instead, he’s just a damn good hockey player who makes the right play every time he’s near the puck. He was noticeable just about every shift he took in Colorado, both offensively and defensively, and he elevates the game of the players around him. There probably isn’t a spot quite yet for him on the NHL squad, but don’t be surprised at all if he’s one of the first call-ups.
What a weekend for the two goalies. Carl Lindbom got the first game and looked like a seasoned pro in the net. He’s excellent at stopping anything that comes in along the ice, which was a majority of the shots he faced against the Mammoth prospects. He wasn’t tested nearly as much as Cameron Whitehead, who also put forward a solid outing. Whitehead made one incredible back-door stop and had to deny a few other Grade A opportunities. VGK clearly had the best goalies of the three teams on the weekend.
The Golden Knights did not have a 1st round pick in the draft due to the Tomas Hertl trade. They entered the draft with six selections between the 2nd and 6th rounds. Here’s a quick rundown of what we know about each player selected by the Golden Knights in the 2025 NHL Draft.
TRADE – VGK have acquired #55 from Nashville for #58 and #122
2nd Round – #55 (from NSH) Selection: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak
A 6’2″ Australian-born forward from Luleå HF of the SHL, Ihs-Wozniak is a lanky offensive playmaker with an NHL quality shot. He played 13 games at the senior level of the SHL scoring one goal and one assist while spending most of his season with the U20 team where he scored 23 goals and 57 points in 40 games. He is the highest Australian-born player ever selected in the NHL Draft.
Ihs-Wozniak has a wide arsenal of different shots he can execute with precision and power, including catch-and-release wristers, in- stride releases, and one-timers. To complement the pure shooting prowess, he’s also one of the very best at finding scoring opportunities away from the puck, timing his movements to the slot and for rebounds and having a knack for playing off stronger playmakers. –EliteProspects Draft Guide
Ihs-Wozniak may not be one of the most popular names heading into the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, but he could end up being one of the most underrated forwards selected. He was criticized previously for his lack of physical play, but the 2024-25 season has shown his added physical involvement as well as an increase in offensive production. His defensive game has improved as the season goes on, and teams will likely value his ceiling as a potential offensive producer in the NHL. –TheHockeyWriters.com
TRADE – VGK have acquired #85 from Pittsburgh for #91 and #154
3rd Round – #85 Selection: Mateo Nobert
A playmaking, intelligent, and creative forward from Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL. He scored 28 goals anf 67 points in 57 games last season.
Mateo Nobert is a highly skilled, play-driving offensive forward with a slender frame and a late birthdate, making him one of the younger players in the 2025 NHL Draft class. Nobert’s calling card is his elite puck skill, soft touch, and offensive instincts, especially with the puck on his stick in space or in transition. He excels at setting up teammates, has the vision to break down defensive coverages, and generates consistent Grade “A” looks. However, Nobert’s biggest challenge remains his underdeveloped frame — he is still physically immature and is often outmuscled in traffic and on puck retrievals. –NeutralZone.com
Nobert is a stocky centerman with a good set of wheels. He moves smooth and has fundamental (albeit not flashy) stickhandling that he uses to good effect in moving down the neutral zone. He has a good eye for plays on and off of the puck, and uses strong passing and smart positioning to control possession well. He engages physically, but needs to win his battles more often. But Nobert lacks a jump that’d elevate his game. He’s diligent and responsible, but seems one step shy of a translatable pro. Some teams love those kinds of upside bets in the later rounds – and his playmaking knack certainly warrants a selection. –RecruitScouting.com
6th Round – #186 Overall Selection: Alexander Weiermair
A “worker bee” style forward, Weiermair put up big numbers in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks after a season and a half at the University of Denver. He scored 21 goals and added 46 assists in 41 games last season before tacking on another 23 points in 18 games in the playoffs.
His best attribute, by far, is his work ethic. It’s necessary, as there isn’t too much else marketable. He’s a start and stop player, which we like. The problem is that he’s not confident in committing to an action. He’ll support the rush, but hesitates himself out of the play – doesn’t drive the net as F2 and isn’t a great passing option.
Defensively, he’ll work right up until he gets to the point that he should be going through a player, making a hit, taking the puck, etc. and he stops short and then the puck carrier accepts the gifted time and space and keeps the play alive. Even when he does get the puck, it’s tough for him to get it off the wall and into the interior because he doesn’t boast much in terms of technical skill and offers little puck pose and even less deceptive qualities. –NHL Black Book
6th Round – #187 Overall (from WSH) Selection: Gustav Sjöqvist
A stay-at-home defenseman, Sjöqvist is most known for being big and physical. He played 39 games for AIK in the HockeyAllsvenskan in Sweden last season.
Sjöqvist’s strengths are mostly in his defensive capabilities. At 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, he uses his size and reach to kill plays early through calculated aggressiveness as a rush defender and pincher. –EliteProspects Draft Guide
