CKPG File Photo

By Victor Kaisar

NHL Draft

Cougars’ Ravensbergen could be first goaltender picked at 2025 NHL Draft

Jun 27, 2025 | 5:14 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — It’s NHL Entry Draft weekend and at least one Prince George Cougar is expected to hear his name called, and it could be as early as the first round later Friday (June 27) evening.

Joshua Ravensbergen, the top-ranked North American goaltender, could be the first goaltender to hear his name called this weekend, as he is projected by some scouts as a late first round pick.

The North Vancouver native finished with a 33-13-3-1 record, a 3.00 goals-against average, and a .901 save percentage last season as the Cougars fell in seven games to the Portland Winterhawks in the first round of playoffs.

Originally undrafted in the WHL Prospects Draft, Ravensbergen was listed and signed by the Cougars, and he made his debut in the 2023-24 season. In 89 career WHL games, he has a 59-17-4-2 record and a 2.78 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.

Should Ravensbergen be among the first 89 players drafted this year, he would become the highest-drafted goaltender in Cougars history. That honour currently belongs to Justin Pogge, who was a third round pick, 90th overall, of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004.

Cougars

Cougars eliminate Chiefs in Game 6

6h ago

Spring Snow

Special weather statement issued for Pine Pass, Peace region with 'moderate to heavy snow' expected

15h ago

Taber, Alta., named Hockeyville winner over Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

19h ago

If he goes in the first round, it would be back-to-back years with first round draft picks after forward Terik Parascak was taken 17th overall by the Washington Capitals last year.

Other Cougars draft hopefuls this year include forwards Aiden Foster and Jett Lajoie, who are ranked 89th and 166th among North American skaters respectively.

The 2025 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 27 and 28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Round one gets underway at 4:00 p.m. Friday, with rounds two through seven set to get underway at 9:00 a.m. Saturday.