By Russ Cohen
Jakob Ihs-Wozniak is probably going to be a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. I say probably because the 6’3” wing had himself a great U18 tournament. He had one big game. When you score three points in front of the scouting world, that helps. If nothing else it may create some recency bias with some teams if he continues to heat up. I will keep him in my Top 32 for sure.
He got five goals and seven points in seven games. I don’t think there were any real expectations for him and he came through. At 6’3”, he was able to muscle his way in the crease and he was money. I didn’t expect that part of his game to shine as much. His hockey I.Q. and two-way game did shine as well. That I did expect.
While playing for Lulea HF, he had 23 goals and 34 assists in 40 games. He had three goals and one assist in three playoff games. That’s a solid season and next year will be even better.
Ihs-Wozniak did see some SHL time this year adding to his growing resume. He has a long reach and a long stick. That gives him a lot of torque on his wrist shot. He is a skilled passer and a player who has been on the rise and that will continue right through the combine I suspect.
Teams with multiple first round picks might put him on their radar. Teams can take a staple with that first pick to satisfy organizational needs and then maybe he gets selected much later in the round because he will go early in the second and big players on the wing with offense in their game don’t grow on trees.
