With only four teams left to contend for the Stanley Cup, hockey fans are starting a countdown to the 2025 NHL Draft, scheduled to be held on June 27-28, 2025.
Eighteen-year-old Logan Hensler is one of the prospects under the spotlight. The University of Wisconsin’s right-handed defenseman has 12 points and 50 blocks from 32 games in his first season in college hockey. He is also one of only two undrafted skaters part of Team USA’s gold medal-winning World Juniors team.
2025 NHL Draft: Logan Hensler on His Hockey Mentors
The 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings currently place Hensler in the 12th spot, down two from a high of 10th. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound right-shot defenseman is a native of Woodbury, Minnesota. He recently wrapped up his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers.
During an interview with RG.org, Hensler discussed his style of play and the players he tries to emulate on the ice.
Logan Hensler?https://t.co/w39HGoEIeE https://t.co/lb7vTCHFAk
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74)
“Growing up in Minnesota, when I was really young, Brent Burns when he was on the Wild. I mean, I was pretty young when he played for them, but I still watch highlights on YouTube and love his game. Right now, though, it’s Jake Sanderson. He’s such a complete player and can do pretty much anything. I love how he’s explosive but can also simplify his game out there when he needs to,” Hensler said.
Sanderson, the Ottawa Senators’ $64-million defenseman, is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s most promising young blueliners, known for his elite skating, defensive reliability, and ability to contribute offensively. He was the Senators’ fifth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, having ranked fourth on the prospect rankings at the time.
Like his idol, Hensler is also on multiple teams’ radar. He has been touted as a top pick for the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames, to name just a couple.
“I’ve been talking to teams throughout the year, but I think it got more serious when the final draft rankings came out. The combine is where it goes to another level, so I’m just preparing for that,” Hensler said.
“Now, I just have the attitude that I wanna go to a team that wants me, and kinda anything can happen, so I can’t really get too worked up or caught up on things.”
The NHL Combine, a pre-draft event where top prospects undergo medical, fitness, and physical assessments, is scheduled for June 1-7 this year. It is organized to provide teams with valuable information to help them make informed decisions about their draft selections, as well as give a chance for players to showcase their abilities.