LONDON, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 26: Forward Caleb Desnoyers #18 of Team CHL moves the puck against goaltender Patrick Quinlan #29 of Team USA during the CHL USA Prospects Challenge at Canada Life Place on November 26, 2024 in London, Ontario. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After winning the draft lottery and receiving the fourth overall selection, the Utah Mammoth added to their deep pool of prospects by selecting Caleb Desnoyers.
With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the @utahmammoth select C Caleb Desnoyers! pic.twitter.com/0c4SyDIRip
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 27, 2025
Caleb Desnoyers is an 18-year-old center from Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Drafted first overall by the Moncton Wildcats in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, Desnoyers has transformed into a top 2025 NHL prospect with his elite hockey IQ, lethal playmaking, consistent scoring, and promising two-way game.
Over the last two seasons in Moncton, the young center has simply been excellent for the Wildcats as he’s registered 140 points (55 G, 85 A) in 116 games.
Notably, Desnoyers also led his junior squad to a QMJHL Championship this past season with 30 total points in the playoffs. For his efforts, Desnoyers was named the QMJHL Playoff MVP.
Internationally, Desnoyers also helped Team Canada win gold at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the 2024 U18 World Championships, and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Appearing on most mock drafts as a consensus top-five selection, Desnoyers is an elite center with phenomenal vision, dangerous creativity, nasty handles, and a highly accurate shot.
Arguably one of the best playmakers in the draft, Desnoyers is a threat from anywhere in the offensive zone as he’s able to consistently place the puck in dangerous areas for either himself or his teammates.
Whether he’s driving towards the net, surveying the zone, crowding the crease or weaving through defensemen, Desnoyers processes the game lightning fast which allows him to make threatening plays.
“Desnoyers thinks the game at an elite level. He’s calculating off the rush and displays an ability to attack with speed or pull up, take stock of his options, and distribute. It’s nearly impossible to teach forwards to play the game the way Desnoyers does,” Jason Bukala of SportsNet said.
Lastly, given his 6-foot-2 frame, Desnoyers is never one to shy away from physicality and is able to effectively utilize his size on both ends of the ice.
Desnoyers’ biggest criticism is that while he does have elite vision and lethal playmaking abilities, at times, he’s been known to take unnecessary risks and struggle with his decision-making.
Once he transitions to the NHL, the young center will need to be a bit more careful with the puck to avoid poor turnovers and lower passing efficiency.
Rounds two through seven of the 2025 NHL Draft will take place on Saturday, June 28.
Currently, the Utah Mammoth owns the rights to selections 46, 78, 110, 142, and 174.
