LA Kings Add Promising Talent with Nine Draft Picks at 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Kings expanded their pipeline of future talent by selecting nine players at the 2025 NHL Draft, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The team began its draft class by choosing forward Henry Brzustewicz with the 31st overall pick in the first round. On Day 2, the Kings made eight more selections, reinforcing their roster with a mix of forwards, defensemen, and a standout goaltender.

With the 59th overall pick, the Kings selected Vojtech Cihar, an 18-year-old forward from Czechia who played 43 games for HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga, the country's top professional league. He notched nine points in his first full season, with an additional assist during the playoffs. Cihar also represented Czechia at both the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship in Texas and the World Junior Championship in Ottawa, showcasing his international potential.

Next, the Kings added Kristian Epperson at 88th overall, a 19-year-old winger from Mequon, Wisconsin, who impressed during his first season with the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Epperson recorded 80 points in 58 games, placing fourth among all Saginaw skaters and tying for the team lead with a +45 rating. He added four points in the playoffs and has committed to play at the University of Denver starting in the 2025–26 season.

At pick 120, Caeden Herrington, a 19-year-old defenseman from Manchester, Vermont, was selected following a standout year with the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Herrington led all USHL defensemen with 16 goals, finishing the season with 34 points and a +18 rating. He is committed to the University of Vermont, adding to the Kings' investment in NCAA-bound talent.

With the 125th pick, the Kings picked up Jimmy Lombardi, an 18-year-old center from Toronto, Ontario, who posted career-best numbers in his second OHL season with the Flint Firebirds. Lombardi tallied 45 points in 2024–25, bringing his career total to 65 points over 125 regular-season games. He will join the University of Michigan hockey program next season.

The Kings then selected Petteri Rimpinen, a 19-year-old goaltender from Kirkkonummi, Finland, at 152nd overall. Rimpinen made a name for himself in Liiga, Finland’s top pro league, with Kiekko-Espoo. He posted a 16-9-14 record with a 2.35 GAA, .912 save percentage, and two shutouts—enough to earn Liiga Rookie of the Year honors, the first goalie to do so since Juuse Saros in 2013–14. Rimpinen also led Team Finland to a silver medal at the 2025 World Juniors, where he was named Best Goaltender and made the tournament All-Star Team.

With the 184th pick, the Kings drafted Jan Chovan, an 18-year-old forward from Bratislava, Slovakia, who served as an assistant captain for Tappara U20 in Finland’s SM-sarja. Chovan scored 23 points in 39 regular-season games and helped Tappara win the U18 SM-sarja Championship with 12 points in nine postseason games. He also represented Slovakia at both the U18 and U20 World Championships, contributing eight points at the U18 level.

At 196th overall, Brendan McMorrow, a 19-year-old winger from Lakeville, Minnesota, joined the Kings following a breakout season with the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL. McMorrow scored 24 goals and totaled 42 points in 58 games, leading his team in goals. He continued his strong performance in the playoffs with 14 points in 15 games and is also committed to the University of Denver.

Closing out the draft at 216th overall, the Kings selected Will Sharpe, an 18-year-old defenseman who split time between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Sharpe posted 44 points in 66 games this season and has 55 points across 126 career WHL games, showing strong two-way capabilities from the blue line.

With this dynamic mix of international prospects, NCAA-bound stars, and league-leading junior players, the Los Angeles Kings have taken a significant step in building their future roster. Each selection brings unique strengths and competitive experience, giving the franchise a promising pool of young talent to develop over the coming years.