Malhotra & Son Make NHL History in 2025 Draft

The Vancouver Canucks selected center Caleb Malhotra from Brantford (OHL) with the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He joins his father, Manny Malhotra, who was named head coach of the Canucks on June 1.

"He'll always be Dad first, and when I ask for Coach, he's very clinical and honest with me."
— Caleb Malhotra

A Rare Father-Son Milestone

Caleb and Manny Malhotra are the second father-son duo in NHL history to both be selected in the top 10 of an NHL Draft, following Darryl Sittler (No. 8, 1970) and Ryan Sittler (No. 7, 1992).

"I think moving forward, I have to talk to Coach a lot more than I used to."

Rounding Out the Top Five

Defenseman Daxon Rudolph from Prince Albert (WHL) was selected fourth overall by the host Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres acquired the pick from the Chicago Blackhawks, who traded the No. 4 selection to Buffalo.

"It's just a lot of excitement, and to be selected by the Sabres in Buffalo is something that's pretty cool and something I'll never forget."
— Daxon Rudolph

This trade marked the first top-five pick to be moved in an NHL Draft since 2008.

Defenseman Alberts Smits from Munchen (DEL) was selected fifth overall by the New York Rangers, becoming the highest-drafted Latvian-born player in NHL history.

"It means a lot. Not only for me. It also means a lot for my family and also for Latvia. It just shows that no matter where you're coming from, you can always achieve a lot of things."
— Alberts Smits