The Tier 1 Hockey Federation continues to showcase its commitment to player development, with 21 current THF players selected in the 2025 North American Hockey League Futures and Entry Drafts.

The NAHL is one of the premier junior hockey leagues in North America and serves as a proven route to NCAA hockey and beyond. The Futures Draft allows NAHL organizations to identify and protect top 16-year-old prospects for future seasons, while the Entry Draft gives teams the opportunity to select players who are eligible to compete immediately.

This year’s draft results are another testament to the high level of competition and development found throughout the THF and its member clubs.

NAHL Futures Draft

Six THF players were selected in the 2025 NAHL Futures Draft:

  • Round 1, Pick 9 – Fabian Makaric (Black Bear National Academy) – Elmira Aviators
  • Round 1, Pick 14 – Maksymilian Budz (Chicago Phantoms) – Houston
  • Round 1, Pick 21 – Quincy Leibell (Atlantic Coast Academy) – New Jersey Titans
  • Round 1, Pick 32 – Lee Russom (Team Maryland) – Maryland Black Bears
  • Round 2, Pick 37 – Charlie Kleinman (South Kent School) – Minot Minotauros
  • Round 2, Pick 64 – Cruz Detert (Seacoast Performance Academy) – Maryland Black Bears

NAHL Entry Draft

Fifteen more THF players heard their names called during the 2025 NAHL Entry Draft:

  • Round 2, Pick 43 – Brycen Wood (CT Jr. Rangers) – New Hampshire Mountain Kings
  • Round 2, Pick 64 – Lucas Goodfellow (Rockets Hockey Club) – Odessa Jackalopes
  • Round 3, Pick 70 – Matthew Portz (Woodbridge Wolfpack) – Aberdeen Wings
  • Round 4, Pick 112 – Nikita Lagodko (Pittsburgh Stars) – Johnstown Tomahawks
  • Round 5, Pick 135 – Channing Kao (Team Maryland) – Lone Star Brahmas
  • Round 6, Pick 165 – Preston Ferro (Rockets Hockey Club) – Odessa Jackalopes
  • Round 6, Pick 192 – Jack McHyman (Mount St. Charles) – Lone Star Brahmas
  • Round 6, Pick 195 – Noah Lawson (Team Maryland) – Maryland Black Bears
  • Round 7, Pick 216 – Martins Bartulis (Atlantic Coast Academy) – New Jersey Titans
  • Round 7, Pick 217 – Hudson Welsome (Seacoast Performance Academy) – Anchorage Wolverines
  • Round 10, Pick 311 – Yefym Sokhaneyvych (Atlantic Coast Academy) – Northeast Generals
  • Round 10, Pick 312 – Nathan Edwards (Palmyra Black Knights) – New Jersey Titans
  • Round 11, Pick 344 – Zaden Latkovich (Mercer Chiefs) – New Jersey Titans
  • Round 13, Pick 397 – Arhip Akhmedov (Rockets Hockey Club) – New Hampshire Mountain Kings
  • Round 17, Pick 535 – Benjamin Diganci (Mount St. Charles) – Northeast Generals

The success doesn’t stop with this year’s draft class. Just a few weeks ago, 21 alumni from THF clubs competed in the Robertson Cup Final Four, with 11 alumni helping the Maryland Black Bears capture the Robertson Cup championship. Their success, combined with this year’s draft results, continues to highlight the impact THF clubs are making at the junior hockey level.

Congratulations to all 21 players on this outstanding accomplishment. The entire THF community looks forward to watching the next chapter of their hockey careers unfold.