Last week I posted an article detailing the progress of the Penguins’ prospects at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Today, I thought I’d focus on the kids taken in the 2025 Entry Draft to see how they’re performing. My esteemed colleague, Other Rick, already started us down this path in the comments section of the Baby Pens article.
I confess, prospects watching is his domain and he’s far more observant and insightful than me. However, I thought I’d give it a whirl and make things a little more official with a full-blown article. Stats are updated through February 14.
Thanks to adroit maneuvering by Kyle Dubas, the Pens had a whopping 13 selections over the seven-round draft last June, including three first-rounders.
The play of top pick Ben Kindel pretty much speaks for itself. My goodness, has this kid been a pleasant surprise! Taken at No. 11 overall as a stretch pick, he’s seventh in scoring among a strong class of NHL rookies with 27 points in 53 games, including 14 goals. All the while anchoring the Pens’ third line.
The Pens’ second first-round pick (22nd overall), Blainville-Broisbriand power forward Bill Zonnon, got off to late start due to a knee injury and subsequent set back that forced him to miss training camp and a large chunk of the season. Since then, the 6’2” 190-pounder’s been making up lost ground with 28 points in 22 games for the Armada, including a hat trick against Cape Breton on January 11.
Taken 24th overall with our third first-round pick, towering Will Horcoff has emerged as a man among boys. The University of Michigan forward is physical, anticipates well, and is an unstoppable force from close range, as his 21 goals in 30 games will attest. Personally, can’t wait to see him in a Pens’ jersey.
Like Zonnon, second-rounder Peyton Kettles has missed a huge chunk of the season due to injury. The rangy 6’6” 194-pounder also switched teams, heading from Swift Current to Kelowna in an October 30 swap. Having played in only five games, it’s tough to get a read on his progress.
Likewise, it’s difficult to gauge the performance of third-rounder Gabriel D’Aigle, backstopping a weak Victoriaville squad. To his credit, he’s posted a career best .906 save percentage. Also tough to get a feel for defenseman and fellow third-rounder Charlie Trethewey, who possesses all the tools but hasn’t put up big numbers as a freshman at Boston University. Brady Peddle (91st overall) appears to be honing his simple, straightforward game with Charlottetown.
Downdraft, Dubas and draft guru Wes Clark may have unearthed a few gems. Fourth-rounder Travis Hayes is putting up Avery Hayes numbers for Soo. Fifth-rounder Ryan Miller has emerged as a fierce competitor and relentless puck hunter to compliment his scoring (56 points in 51 games). Very difficult to play against.
Quinn Beauchesne (148th overall) put his heart on his sleeve during the Prospects Challenge last fall, engaging in several scraps. His numbers, particularly his plus/minus (a team-worst minus-18) aren’t anything to write home about, but he’s regarded as an all-arounder who can contribute in different ways.
With 23 goals, Jordan Charron (154th overall) is developing into a power forward/scorer for Soo. While sixth-round pick Carter Sanderson has flashed some offensive potential, his calling card is fighting and hard, competitive play. Simply put, when the gloves come off, this kid throws bombs.
The steal of the draft may well be our final pick. Although undersized, with 29 goals and 62 points in 49 games Kale Dach has put up impressive numbers for the Calgary Hitmen. He’ll be attending Penn State next fall.
Here’s a brief statistical summary for each kid:
| BEN KINDEL (5’11” 182) | |||||
| Round: 1st | Overall: 11th | Age: 18 | Center | Penguins | NHL |
| GP: 53 | G: 14 | A: 13 | PTS: 27 | PIM: 16 | -3 |
| BILL ZONNON (6’2″ 190) | |||||
| Round: 1st | Overall: 22nd | Age: 19 | Center | Blain.-Brois. | QMJHL |
| GP: 22 | G: 9 | A: 19 | PTS: 28 | PIM: 0 | +13 |
| WILL HORCOFF (6’5″ 203) | |||||
| Round: 1st | Overall: 24th | Age: 19 | Forward | U. of Michigan | Big-10 |
| GP: 30 | G: 21 | A: 12 | PTS: 33 | PIM: 54 | +13 |
| PEYTON KETTLES (6’6″ 194) | |||||
| Round: 2nd | Overall: 39nd | Age: 18 | R. Defense | SC/Kelowna | WHL |
| GP: 5 | G: 1 | A: 2 | PTS: 3 | PIM: 15 | +2 |
| CHARLIE TRETHEWEY (6’2″ 201) | |||||
| Round: 3rd | Overall: 73rd | Age: 18 | R. Defense | Boston Univ. | H-East |
| GP: 28 | G: 1 | A: 7 | PTS: 8 | PIM: 21 | +2 |
| GABRIEL D’AIGLE (6’4″ 211) | |||||
| Round: 3rd | Overall: 84th | Age: 19 | Goalie | Victoriaville | QMJHL |
| GP: 35 | GA: 121 | SH: 0 | GAA: 3.64 | SV%: .906 | 12-19-3 |
| BRADY PEDDLE (6’3″ 202) | |||||
| Round: 3rd | Overall: 91st | Age: 18 | L. Defense | Charlottetown | QMJHL |
| GP: 49 | G: 3 | A: 14 | PTS: 17 | PIM: 42 | +3 |
| TRAVIS HAYES (5’11 174) | |||||
| Round: 4th | Overall: 105th | Age: 18 | Right Wing | Soo | OHL |
| GP: 49 | G: 14 | A: 18 | PTS: 32 | PIM: 36 | +23 |
| RYAN MILLER (6’0″ 181) | |||||
| Round: 5th | Overall: 130th | Age: 18 | Left Wing | Portland | WHL |
| GP: 51 | G: 22 | A: 34 | PTS: 56 | PIM: 64 | +2 |
| QUINN BEAUCHESNE (6’0″ 187) | |||||
| Round: 5th | Overall: 148th | Age: 18 | Defense | Guelph | OHL |
| GP: 43 | G: 5 | A: 16 | PTS: 21 | PIM: 41 | -18 |
| JORDAN CHARRON (6’2″ 196) | |||||
| Round: 5th | Overall: 154 | Age: 18 | Right Wing | Soo | OHL |
| GP: 52 | G: 23 | A: 19 | PTS: 42 | PIM: 51 | +8 |
| CARTER SANDERSON (6’1″ 196) | |||||
| Round: 6th | Overall: 169 | Age: 18 | Left Wing | Muskegon | USHL |
| GP: 39 | G: 11 | A: 14 | PTS: 25 | PIM: 65 | +10 |
| KALE DACH (5’11” 172) | |||||
| Round: 7th | Overall: 201 | Age: 19 | Center | Calgary | WHL |
| GP: 48 | G: 29 | A: 33 | PTS: 62 | PIM: 20 | +13 |