Benjamin Kevan – 2025 NHL Draft Profile

With his ability to protect the puck even at full speed, it is challenging for opponents to get it away from him. He deftly navigates through traffic and employs advanced deception techniques to mislead defenders, often making them think he is going one way while he veers in another direction.

Although he may not have elite speed, he is still an excellent skater, which makes him difficult to stop off the rush and gives him an advantage on the forecheck. He can maintain a fast pace, and his 1-on-1 skills allow him to challenge defenders and occasionally beat them to the outside. His first-step quickness is outstanding, allowing him to reach full speed quickly. He keeps his feet moving and remains active, forcing opponents to shift positions to create space. He is also a valuable playmaker in transition, with controlled puck exits and entries.

Kevan plays a physically aggressive game and often finds himself in the middle of scrums. He throws hits not only to dislodge pucks but also to provoke opponents. He can win battles along the boards and in the corners. He has high motor skills, a strong work ethic and displays good defensive engagement. However, there are times when his focus and effort flags in all three zones. These lapses can last for an entire shift, and according to some scouting reports, they may occasionally last longer.

When Kevan is at his best, he has excellent positioning and uses his stick effectively to disrupt plays, lift opponent’s sticks, and intercept passes. He is a well-rounded player, which may give him a solid NHL floor with the potential to become a middle-six winger. Kevan is committed to play for Arizona State for the 2026-27 season.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Benjamin Kevan – NHL Draft Projection

No one attribute distinguishes his playing style; instead, his work ethic, speed, and play away from the puck make him an intriguing prospect. However, there are concerns about his overall hockey sense and whether he possesses enough high-end talent to become more than a depth scorer in the NHL. However, with his skill set, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see him selected in the mid-to-late second round, potentially falling as late as the early third round.

Quotables

“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.” – Sebastian High, Elite Prospects

“Kevan has had positive showings this season in both the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2024 World Junior A Challenge, solidifying his stock in the process. The right-wing was a tournament standout in the latter, and has shown well with the Des Moines in the United States Hockey League.” – Aaron Vickers, FC Hockey

“The Arizona State University commit has a ton of upside because he combines a hard work ethic with load of skill. But as many scouts have pointed out, game-to-game consistency is a concern” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Strengths

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

NHL Potential

With his offensive upside and ability to work effectively off the half wall and in the cycle, Kevan has the skills to be a solid middle-six player, despite his lack of size. While it would be ideal if he were a bit taller, his skill set is comparable to that of Tyler Bertuzzi, but with more offensive potential. He is willing to do the dirty work and chase pucks, thanks to his strong shot, but he can be dangerous when given space.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk –3/5, Reward – 4/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 7.5/10, Defence – 7/10

Awards/Achievements

Benjamin Kevan Stats

Videos/Links

FloHockey: 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Interview: Ben Kevan Talks What’s Different About This Year, Playing Vs. CHL And Excitement For Arizona State