JUNE 27: Caleb Desnoyers poses on the red carpet before the first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft at the Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After being blessed by the hockey gods with the fourth overall selection, the Utah Mammoth got their guy in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. So, who is Caleb Desnoyers?
Desy it is. https://t.co/jZ3QUM4p49
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 28, 2025
Caleb Desnoyers is an 18-year-old center from Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Related: Who Will The Utah Mammoth Pick At 4? NHL Draft Profiles: Caleb Desnoyers
Drafted first overall by the Moncton Wildcats in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, Desnoyers transformed into a top 2025 NHL prospect with his elite hockey IQ, lethal playmaking, consistent scoring, and promising two-way game.
“You win by building through the middle of the ice,” Bill Armstrong said about Desnoyers following the draft.
“We had a chance to draft him, and he’s got a little bit of everything we want. He’s got the skill; he’s got the high hockey IQ and he’s someone who led his team to a championship.”
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.
Friday night was a dream come true for the young centerman as his name was called as a top four selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.
After years of hard work and countless hours on the ice, Desnoyers was officially a Utah Mammoth.
“Unbelievable, honestly…I was so proud.” Desnoyers said after being drafted.
“For that moment, it was great. I had a lot of great conversations with the organization and had a great feeling with them. It was surreal.”
Despite being the newest organization in the National Hockey League and a destination that most prospects wouldn’t have visited before, Desnoyers had a chance to stop by Salt Lake City before heading to the draft in Los Angeles.
During just a short visit, Desnoyers was impressed by what he saw.
“I’ve never seen a city as beautiful as that,” Desnoyers said.
“It was gorgeous with all the mountains…can’t wait to bring my family over.”
Caleb Desnoyers initial thoughts on Utah after meeting with the Mammoth on his way to the draft:
“I’ve never seen a city as beautiful as that.”
“It was gorgeous with all the mountains…can’t wait to bring my family over.”#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/p0KqKMLB5f
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 28, 2025
So, what exactly does this young center bring to the Mammoth?
Caleb Desnoyers is an elite center y’all.
6’2, extremely physical, and a guy who STEPS up when it matters most.
30 points in the QMJHL playoffs this last season to lead Moncton to a championship as the playoff MVP.
Great selection by Utah.#TusksUp
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 27, 2025
Overall, Desnoyers is an elite center with phenomenal vision, dangerous creativity, nasty handles, and a highly accurate shot.
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.
“[I want] to be a competitive centerman that takes a lot of pride in the small details, all the intangibles. From my faceoff, to creating simple plays and making all the players around me better in the O-zone,” Desnoyers explained.
“Also, a good leader. A pretty vocal guy so I’m excited to meet all the guys.”
Caleb Desnoyers message to Mammoth fans: “I can’t wait to get things started.”
“I love winning so, hopefully bring a Stanley Cup as soon as possible.”#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/krz3xL0ay6
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 28, 2025
After being drafted, Desnoyers is expected to be a participant in the Mammoth’s development camp.
However, while Bill Armstrong confirmed that Desnoyers won’t need surgery after dealing with some wrist injuries, the team’s doctors will still need to take a look at him before he potentially takes the ice next week.
Long term, Desnoyers joins a very deep and competitive pool of prospects on one of the youngest teams in the league.
More than likely, that means he’ll need a few more years in the juniors to continue his development.
“He’s got some work to do,” Armstrong said. “He’s got to put on some weight and become hockey strong at the NHL level.”
“It’ll be a great challenge for him in the way that he attacks it. You never know how quick he can get there…it’s a year-to-year evaluation.”
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.
