Long before the Predators were scheduled to make the fifth overall selection at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, Nashville General Manager Barry Trotz and Co. had a pretty good idea of who they were hoping to add with the pick. So, when the Preds were up on Friday night at the Peacock Theater, they didn’t hesitate.

The Devils' first 2025 NHL Draft pick is the 18-year-old Boston University commit, who is from White Bear Lake, Minn., and has spent the past two years with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. In 40 games with the U-18 National Team this past season, Fondrk totaled 27 points on 13 goals and 14 assists.

The Detroit Red Wings have selected RW Michal Svrcek with the 119th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Svrcek was a productive junior player in Sweden and for Slovakia's national teams.