Isaac Nelson tops the list of MI-HS players selected in 2025 NAHL Draft
Four drafted, three tendered ahead of the upcoming junior hockey season
Craig Peterson
June 13, 2025
The 2025 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Draft took place this week during a two-day, two-phase virtual selection process. Four current and former Michigan high school hockey players were selected during the week’s proceedings. Isaac Nelson (Northville, 2025), Ayden Cook (Flint Powers, 2026), Ty Kraut (Hartland, 2025) and Will Keane (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 2025) were selected in the entry draft which took place on June 11th.
Four players selected is a significant jump from 2024, in which just one former MI-HS player was selected. Byron Center’s Jackson Froysland was drafted by the Minnesota Wilderness, however, he spent the ‘24-25 season in the CCHL and is expected to play in the BCHL this fall.
Draft selections are slated to join NAHL teams this fall, along with roughly 470 other prospects who signed tender agreements with the league’s 35 organizations. five MI-HS players are among that group to sign NAHL tenders earlier in the year, including Hartland seniors Ian Kastamo and Drew L’Esperance as well as Detroit Catholic Central’s Justin Bloink, Owen Hall from Livonia Stevenson and Traverse City West defenseman Kallen Ray.
18U Michigan Prospects by Organization
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0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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2 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 2 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 8 | |
Defenseman Isaac Nelson, selected 81st overall by Aberdeen Wings
The 2007-born prospect joined Northville just before Christmas. He scored 11 goals and 21 points in 16 varsity games. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Nelson is an imposing presence on the blue line with exceptional skating ability and puck-moving vision.
Forward Ayden Cook, Select 184th overall by El Paso Rhinos
Named to the 2025 Michigan High School Hockey Coaches’ Association (MHSHCA) Dream Team as a junior after scoring 40 goals and 74 points as he led Flint Powers to a Division-II state title. Cook is a pure goal scorer with a knack for finding the puck in open space.
Defenseman Ty Kraut, selected 221st overall by St. Cloud Norsemen
A three-year letterman for Hartland, Kraut scored six goals and 24 points in 26 games as a senior. He became the third player from the Eagles ‘24-25 roster to garner NAHL interest, joining Kastamo and L’Esperance, who previously signed tender agreements.
Goalie Will Keane, selected 320th overall by El Paso Rhinos
Just weeks after being selected in the United States Hockey League (USHL) Phase-II Draft, El Paso used a late-round selection to claim Keane’s Tier-2 rights. In the event that the 6-foot-6 goaltender doesn’t earn a Tier-1 roster spot with Muskegon in the USHL, he’ll have secondary options in the NAHL.
Defenseman Justin Bloink, tendered by Janesville Jets
Arguably the best defenseman in Michigan high school hockey this season, Bloink scored 17 goals and 39 points for Detroit Catholic Central as a first-year senior. He’ll join a Janesville organization that’s had a habit of drawing players from the Great Lakes State in recent years.
Forward Owen Hall, tendered by Aberdeen Wings
A gritty two-way winger whose playing style should translate well to the next level. The four-year senior from Livonia Stevenson scored more than 100 career points in 88 varsity games with the Spartans and will continue the steady stream of MI-HS players to Aberdeen.
Forward Ian Kastamo, tendered by El Paso Rhinos
Kastamo proved to be one of the best all-around forwards in Michigan high school hockey this season. The four-year senior from Hartland has done about everything at the varsity level, winning state titles, earning Dream Team honors and representing Team Michigan twice.
Forward Drew L’Esperance, tendered by Odessa Jackalopes
Following in his brother Jack’s footsteps, Drew could be the second L’Esperance kid to play in the NAHL in as many seasons. In 75 varsity games, L’Esperance scored 23 goals and 56 points while also playing for Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) in the fall.
Defenseman Kallen Ray, tendered by Aberdeen Wings
A point-per-game guy for the entirety of his three-year varsity career. Ray has been a standout prospect for Traverse City West and the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL). He also represented Team Michigan as a junior and senior.
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