Gary Roberts, Nikolay Kulemin’s sons selected in 1st round of 2025 OHL Draft

The younger Kulemin starred for the Don Mills Flyers, and was selected ninth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs. Roberts starred for the Jr. Canadiens, leading his team to an upset victory over Don Mills in the OHL Cup final, and was taken 16th overall by the Oshawa Generals.

Kulemin joined the powerhouse Don Mills team prior to his U16 season, while his father moved back to North America, signing a professional tryout agreement with the Ottawa Senators in 2024, in large part to accelerate his son’s burgeoning career. Don Mills captured the Greater Toronto Hockey League championship but were upended by the Jr. Canadiens in the OHL Cup final, which serves as the most prestigious game in Ontario’s minor hockey circuit. Kulemin did not record a point in three games during the OHL Cup.

Roberts is one of the rising stars in this year’s class, registering a goal and seven points during eight games in the OHL Cup. He could be following his father’s journey to the NHL, as the elder Roberts starred in the OHL before being selected 12th overall by the Calgary Flames in 1984.

If you were around for Roberts and Kulemin’s tenure with the Maple Leafs, this news may you make feel ancient, but none of us can stop the passage of time. Congratulations to Aleks Kulemin and Sam Roberts on their accomplishments, and we can now start our advance scouting on this year’s class, as both players ought to be eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.