2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cole Reschny

Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 187 lbs
Date of Birth: April 6, 2007
Hometown: Macklin, Saskatchewan, Canada
Team: Victoria Royals (WHL)
Draft Eligibility: 2025 NHL Draft (First Year Eligibility)

Draft Outlook and Rankings

Reschny is projected to go late in the first round or early in the second, with rankings consistently placing him inside the top 35:

• Inside the Rink (Conrad Jack): 10th
• ESPN: 22nd
• Tankathon (Big Board): 24th
• Bob McKenzie (TSN): 29th
• Craig Button: 11th
• Upside Hockey: 31st
• Broad Street Hockey Community Board: 18th
• Daily Faceoff: 16th
• The Athletic (Scott Wheeler): 15th
• Elite Prospects: 33rd

Rising Star in the West

Cole Reschny is a cerebral, high-IQ forward whose playmaking prowess and spatial awareness have firmly cemented his place as one of the premier draft-eligible centers in the 2025 NHL Draft class. Despite playing on a struggling Victoria Royals squad that saw a team lose more games in regulation than it won in total, Reschny’s individual impact remained undeniable—elevating the players around him and maximizing the offensive potential of a limited roster.

In 62 WHL regular season games in 2024–25, Reschny posted an impressive 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists)—then followed it up with 25 points in 11 playoff games, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion. He was named WHL Rookie of the Month in November 2023 and earned multiple Rookie of the Week honors. Internationally, he represented Canada at the 2023 World U17 Challenge (8 points in 7 games), the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (7 points in 5 games), and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship (4 points in 2 games), proving his ability to contribute on the world stage.

The Brain Behind the Play

A big reason for Reschny’s production is his superb hockey brain. He reads plays with elite speed and intention, displaying exceptional timing and vision. He doesn’t just pass the puck—he engineers opportunity.

Reschny is an elite creator of space. He draws defenders to him and holds the puck just long enough to open passing lanes—then delivers tape-to-tape. This makes him invaluable on the rush and in set offensive zone cycles. Whether in tight or in transition, he waits for the perfect moment to dish and disrupts defensive structure with subtle delays and smart angles.

Even in chaotic or low-support scenarios, Reschny finds a way to create. His 66 assists in 2024–25 weren’t a product of an elite supporting cast—they were the result of resolute vision, spatial manipulation, and timing.

Battle-Tested in the Dirty Areas

Though not the biggest player on the ice, Reschny doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas. He’s highly effective at gathering loose pucks and maintaining possession under pressure. His edgework, body positioning, and anticipation allow him to outwork larger opponents. While he can be outmuscled at times, his willingness to engage in puck battles and his ability to hold his own elevate his two-way value.

This willingness contributes to a strong overall possession game. He extends shifts, creates second-chance opportunities, and frustrates defenders with his relentlessness. He’s not just a playmaker—he’s a possession machine.

What NHL Teams Should Monitor in Cole Reschny

Physical Maturity & Strength Development

Why it matters: At 5’10” and 187 lbs, Reschny is not undersized by junior standards, but he’s not yet built for the grind of NHL-level physical play. Though he’s willing to engage in puck battles, he can be outmuscled by larger opponents—particularly along the boards and in contested space.

Team takeaway: NHL organizations will want to ensure he’s on a structured strength and conditioning plan, especially to develop core and lower-body strength. The goal isn’t to change his game—it’s to help him win more of the battles he’s already showing up for.

Consistency Across a Full Season

Why it matters: Reschny’s production can come in streaks—he’ll dominate a stretch of games, then blend into the background for a few shifts or more. While some of this can be attributed to the uneven quality of his current team, consistency will be critical at the next level.

Team takeaway: Coaches and development staff should emphasize preparation and mental focus. With improved surroundings and physical stamina, the peaks can become more sustainable—and the valleys far less frequent.

Shot Threat & Offensive Deception

Why it matters: Reschny is a pass-first player, and defenders are starting to read it. He has the accuracy and instincts to be more of a dual threat, but currently lacks the assertiveness to fully weaponize his shot.

Team takeaway: If he adds shot deception and increases shot volume, defenses will have to respect his release. This would only make his elite playmaking more dangerous—forcing defenders to back off and giving him more room to operate.

Faceoff Efficiency at the Pro Level

Why it matters: Reschny posted a solid 56.9% faceoff win rate in the WHL, but NHL draws are a different world—built on technique, strength, and timing. If he’s going to remain a center, he’ll need to win critical faceoffs in special teams and late-game scenarios.

Team takeaway: He doesn’t need to be a top-tier faceoff man immediately, but steady improvement here will define how versatile and trusted he becomes at the NHL level. This can be developed with reps, coaching, and video work.

None of these points are red flags—they’re natural developmental checkpoints for a young, intelligent forward. What sets Reschny apart is his willingness to do the hard work. With a focused development path and the right support system, these are areas of growth, not concern.

Teams investing in Cole Reschny will be betting on a brain that already sees the NHL game—he just needs the tools to keep up with the pace he’s already anticipating.

Complete Career Stat Line (Selected Highlights)

Playoffs (WHL 2024–25): 11 GP – 9 G – 16 A – 25 PTS

International:

With continued development—particularly in consistency and physical strength—Reschny has the toolkit to become a top-six NHL center, capable of thriving on special teams and in high-leverage minutes.

Why NHL Teams Should Want Him

Reschny is the kind of player who helps build a team. For franchises looking to improve puck possession, offensive zone patience, and power play efficiency, he is a foundational piece. His style fits seamlessly into rebuilds or depth chart gaps where intelligence and vision are at a premium.

NHL teams should be clamoring for a prospect like Reschny because he drives possession in a way that few draft-eligible centers can. He consistently extends shifts by retrieving pucks in tight areas, cycling relentlessly, and forcing opponents to defend in uncomfortable spots. By controlling the puck and dictating the pace, he not only keeps his team on offense but also wears down the opposition over the course of a game. That kind of possession-driven impact is precisely what franchises looking to improve their two-way metrics and power-play efficiency crave.

Beyond puck control, Reschny offers high-end playmaking that few centers in this draft class can match—making him exactly the kind of prospect NHL organizations should target. He reads plays before they develop, manipulating defenders with subtle fakes before threading perfect passes through traffic. Whether he’s orchestrating a breakout or directing a second-unit power play, his vision creates scoring chances out of seemingly nothing. For teams in need of someone to run the point on special teams or drive zone entries under pressure, Reschny’s ability to engineer offense from the slot is an immediate asset.

Finally, NHL franchises should want Reschny for his competitive DNA and character. Despite playing on a struggling roster, he never shies away from puck battles or slows down when games are on the line. Scouts consistently praise his “want-to,” noting that he plays every shift as if it’s crunch time. That relentless work ethic and refusal to back down carry over in the locker room, where he emerges as a natural leader. For front offices seeking a player who brings both high-end skill and genuine heart, Reschny’s combination of talent and tenacity makes him an irresistible draft target.

Teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lacked center depth this season, could greatly benefit from a playmaking pivot like Reschny, while the Dallas Stars—whose prospect pipeline is thin on high-end centers—would welcome someone who can eventually slot into a top-six role. The Los Angeles Kings have also identified a need for a true second-line center to complement their core, and Reschny’s two-way IQ and playmaking prowess would help fill that gap.

Final Assessment

Bottom-line, NHL franchises should covet Reschny’s blend of cerebral playmaking and relentless work ethic. He isn’t merely a distributor—he’s an architect of offense who controls tempo, creates space for linemates, and competes in every zone battle. For any team seeking a two-way pivot who can tilt possession metrics, elevate teammates’ performance, and bring genuine leadership to the locker room, Reschny’s name should sit near the very top of their 2025 Draft board.

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