Devils Select 2 Forwards In Round 2 of 2025 NHL Draft

The New Jersey Devils had two picks in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. With the selections, the organization selected two forwards in Conrad Fondrk and Ben Kevan. 

50 Overall: Conrad Fondrk | Center 

2024-25 Team: USNTDP

2025-26 Team: Boston University 

Height: 6-feet | Weight: 192 pounds

Shoots: Left

Position: Center

Place of Birth: St. Paul, Minnesota

NHL.com Senior Draft Writer Mike Morreale mentioned Utah Mammoth's Alex Kerfoot as a comparable. According to Neutral Zone, a similar player is the Carolina Hurricanes' Tyson Jost. 

In 15 games with the national program this season, Fondrk collected 12 points (six goals, six assists) and zero penalty minutes. Inconsistency is the one knock on his game as he has been described as "hot and cold". 

Austin Garret, SMAHT Scouting: He is a bit small and slender…. but he showed a willingness to try creative plays and blended skill and mental processing that was above the others on the team. He is quick to turn out of pressure, he is masterful in transition and moves pucks to scoring areas with relative ease."

Per Devils team reporter Sam Kasan, Fondrk will attend the organization's 2025 Development Camp. 

63 Overall: Ben Kevan | Right Wing

2024-25 Team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

2025-26 Team: Arizona State University 

Height: 6-foot-0 | Weight: 175 pounds

Shoots: Right

Postion: Right Wing 

Place of Birth: Fairfield, CA, USA

One NHL player who Kevan tries to model his game after is St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou. He is known for his strong skating ability and puck handling. On the flip side, his lack of defensive awareness and physical play are areas that he will need to improve upon. 

If he can round out his game, Kevan is Kevan projects as a potential bottom-six winger with potential to become a middle-six forward. 

Sebastian High, Elite Prospects: Perhaps the most dynamic USHL product eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, Benjamin Kevan can break games open when he’s at his best. In those sequences, the 6-foot forward blends strong agility, speed, and handling skill to cut through defences and carve out dangerous scoring chances for himself and teammates. 

There has not been confirmation if Kevan will attend the organization's 2025 Development Camp. 

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