How Cole Reschny became 2025 NHL draft’s most relentless game-changer

Victoria Royals' 5-foot-10.5 centre Cole Reschny is fast becoming one of the biggest hopefuls on the 2025 NHL Draft prospect list. His remarkable work for the 2024-2025 season, particularly a solid playoff performance and impressive stint with Team Canada during the U18 World Championships, has already drawn him into the hearts of scouts as one of the favorites. With 117 points in 73 games this year, Cole Reschny is proving to the world that he's not only a prospect—he's an NHL superstar in the making.

Why Cole Reschny has a dominant WHL presence

Cole Reschny's play in the 2024-2025 season has been simply exceptional. James Patrick, Cole Reschny's coach, indicated that in his estimation, there was not a Western Hockey League player who played any better than Cole Reschny during the latter part of the season. “I will say this: I don’t know if a player in our league had a better second half than him. (And) I know there’s not one player that I can think of who played better in the playoffs. He put this team on his back and his playmaking and compete were elite,” stated James Patrick, looking back on Cole Reschny's key contributions to carrying the Royals into the playoffs.

Leaving an instant legacy with team Canada

The second his WHL season concluded, Cole Reschny didn't delay in reporting for Team Canada duty at the U18 World Championships. Although reporting late, he was named alternate captain and immediately left his mark. He registered a goal in his first game, a 5-1 win against Finland. Reschny's solid play did not end there, as he logged a two-goal, two-helper performance versus Norway and a game-winner in overtime against Czechia.
“He knows he's going to have to keep at it on and off the ice,” Victoria Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger said. “I would say in the second half of the season that he was as dominant as any player in the league,” Heisinger described. “He led us all the way through and when the stakes got higher, he raised his game for the playoffs and he really showed not only where he can take his game to but just how competitive he is, how badly he wants to win.”
Cole Reschny's body of work includes more than his ability to score goals. Skating, his strength, as well as being a two-way player, ensures he is very much a prize prospect. Even at just 17 years of age, he has already received compliments on his defensive play, his faceoff work, and his penalty-killing ability. Coaches and trainers, including Adam Huxley, who trained Reschny since he was young, attribute his success to his work ethic and maturity. “I’ve been around a lot of the kids in the draft, and I’m not a scout, but I don’t think there’s a better 200-foot player in the draft. There’s not a chance,” Huxley said.
Also read: NHL Playoffs: Tension rises as second round sparks fly

What's coming for Cole Reschny?

Cole Reschny's future has never been brighter. With a complete offseason of training in front of him, Reschny will develop his game some more, placing a focus on increasing his speed and agility. With his enthusiasm for the sport and his dedication to becoming an even better player, he'll be one to watch at the 2025 NHL Draft as well as into the future.