After coming away with Roger McQueen on Day 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Ducks made nine selections on Day 2, adding 10 players in total to their pipeline.
Anaheim used their bevy of picks—which included two in the second, fourth and fifth rounds—to select players that they were “passionate” about, as Ducks assistant general manager and Director of Amateur Scouting Martin Madden noted in his post-draft media availability.
“You can't be too sticky on shooting side or position,” Madden said. “Yes, we try to balance things out and not make it so one-sided. But, at the end of the day, the odds are already so much against most of these kids. It’s tough to make it to the NHL and you need somebody pushing hard for you, supporting you all throughout the process—the next four or five years. And that comes down to the development staff, but it also comes down to the local scout, so that's how it happened.”
Here’s a brief look at each prospect that the Ducks selected on Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft:
Eric Nilson – Djurgårdens IF, Forward (selected 45th overall)
Nilson was “their guy,” according to Madden. Attempts to move up from 45th overall were made, with concern that Nilson might not be available when the Ducks were on the clock for their first pick of Day 2. Luck was on their side as Nilson was still available when pick no. 45 came around.
After playing for Djurgårdens’ J20 team this past season, Nilson will be heading stateside to play hockey at Michigan State.
“It’s kind of different, how we play in Sweden from playing (in the U.S.),” Nilsson said. “(Playing at Michigan State will) change that and (help me) come into the American style of play.”
Lasse Boelius – Ässät, Defenseman (selected 60th overall)
Boelius is a puck-moving defenseman from Finland who Madden likened to the profile that they’ve drafted on numerous occasions throughout the past decade.
He had a strong performance for Finland at the U18 World Juniors and even played several games for Ässät’s first team this past season.
Noah Read – London Knights, Forward (selected 72nd overall)
Read had quite the rookie season in the OHL, playing the role of jack of all trades on a stacked Knights squad. He found himself on nearly every line at least once throughout the season while moonlighting as both a center and a wing. To top it all off, he ended the season as both an OHL champion and a Memorial Cup champion.
He could have the opportunity to seize a bigger role next season with London graduating several of their top forwards.
Drew Schock – U.S. NTDP, Defenseman (selected 101st overall)
A Michigan University commit, Schock continues the archetype of puck-moving defensemen that the Ducks have sought in the draft. He spent the last two seasons with the NTDP and was an alternate captain for Team USA’s U18 World Juniors squad, where he averaged a point per game.
Elijah Neuenschwander – HC Fribourg-Gottéron, Goaltender (selected 104th overall)
Hailing from Biel-Bienne, the city where former Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller concluded his professional career, Neuenschwander is a big kid at 6-foot-4.
Like Damian Clara two years ago, albeit in the second round, the Ducks went slightly off the board to select a mammoth goaltender. But, Neuenschwander has performed well at the domestic level and held his own internationally.
Alexis Mathieu – Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Defenseman (selected 136th overall)
Like Neuenschwander, Mathieu also towers over many of his peers at 6-foot-4. He is an aggressive defender who uses his physicality to erase opposing players with ferocity.
Mathieu was also the only Ducks draft pick besides Nilson who attended the draft. Congratulations from his family and friends was coupled with cheers and applause from what remained of the Peacock Theater crowd.
Émile Guité – Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Forward (selected 159th overall)
A teammate of 2024 Ducks draft pick Maxim Massé, Guité was projected to be a top-64 pick in this year’s draft prior to the 2024-25 season. However, inconsistent performances dropped his stock tremendously, causing him to fall to the fifth round.
There is belief though in the Ducks’ organization that Guité can put the pieces together and show why he was once projected to be a high-round draft pick.
Anthony Allain-Samaké – Sioux City Musketeers, Defenseman (selected 168th overall)
One of the youngest players in his draft class, Allain-Samaké will play alongside 2024 Ducks draft pick Alexandre Blais at the University of Connecticut next season.
The early transition to collegiate hockey offers a huge opportunity for Allain-Samaké, with his late birthdate also giving him a long runway for his development.
Brady Turko – Brandon Wheat Kings, Forward (selected 200th overall)
McQueen’s juniors teammate, Turko is younger than Allain-Samaké. While undersized, he has displayed good offensive instincts and could benefit from having a bigger role with Brandon next season.
Featured image caption: Jun 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Eric Nilson fields questions after being selected as the 45th overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey News
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