Early Look Pt3: '25 NHL Draft-Centers

Eligible Centers Utah HC Fans Should Know

The 2025 NHL Draft presents yet another opportunity for Utah HC to bolster their growing prospect pipeline, and this time, the focus shifts to the middle of the ice. Centers have always been the backbone of competitive NHL teams, and with Utah HC projected to select in the middle of the first round, there are several intriguing options who could be on the board. Each of the four players profiled here brings a unique set of skills to the table: Jake O’Brien dazzles with his elite playmaking, Brady Martin combines a lethal shot with power-forward grit, Braeden Cootes embodies relentless effort and two-way dependability, and a darkhorse emerges as the candidate with size, smarts, and upside.

Utah HC has been clear in their organizational vision of building a team that is hard to play against—a group of smart, skilled, and determined players who embody their identity as a new NHL franchise. With that in mind, these center prospects represent exciting potential fits for the system.

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The Playmaker - Jake O’Brien

(Credit: CHL.ca)

Position: Right Shot Center
Team: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 170 lbs

Statistics via Elite Prospects

Jake O’Brien has everything you want in a high-upside center prospect—a good motor, elite playmaking skills, silky hands, and a competitive edge that belies his slight frame. Playing for the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL under long-time NHL defenseman Jay McKee, O’Brien is in excellent hands, developing in an environment that’s shaping him into a dynamic, all-situations center.

Standing at 6’2” with a very lean build at just 170lbs, O’Brien is young for this draft class as a June birthday, and his game reflects a rawness that screams potential. His slight frame does leave him vulnerable to being pushed around, but as he matures physically and adds strength, the upside is undeniable. Even with his current limitations, he’s a relentless puck hound with the vision and skill to make plays that leave you shaking your head.

O’Brien’s standout quality is his playmaking—especially in tight spaces and under pressure. He has some of the best small-area skill in the entire draft class. His hands are silky smooth, his vision is elite, and his processing speed is next level. He consistently makes slick, creative passes in traffic, under pressure, threading pucks to teammates seemingly out of nowhere. He’s the type of player who can create something out of nothing, and his ability to scan the ice and keep his head up at all times elevates his game to another level. I often wonder if he even knows what color the puck is, he never seems to look down at it.