Looking for some more information on the Edmonton Oilers’ first pick at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft? Here, we’ve compiled a collection of scouting reports and highlights regarding newly drafted forward Tommy Lafrenière. The Oilers selected Lafrenière from the Kamloops Blazers with the 83rd overall pick, which was their first pick at this year’s draft after trading away their first and second rounders in two separate trades with the Philadelphia Flyers and Arizona Coyotes, respectively.

Looking back at his 2024-25 campaign with the Blazers, Lafrenière registered 23 goals and 56 points over 68 games in his first full WHL season in 2024-25. Before making his move to the Western Hockey League, Lafrenière played four seasons at the Yale Hockey Academy in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

BIO:

Position: Right Wing — Shoots: Right
Born: January 16th, 2007 — City: Hornby Island, B.C.
Height: 6 feet 0 inches — Weight: 172 lbs [183 cm/78 kg] Drafted: 83rd overall
Major Junior: Kamloops Blazers — League: Western Hockey League

SCOUTING REPORTS

“Kamloops Blazers forward Tommy Lafrenière has turned heads quite often this season. A Central Division NHL scout told Daily Faceoff, ‘Think of a smaller Nick Suzuki.’ Lafrenière played his minor hockey for Yale Hockey Academy, where he was named the U18 Prep Co-MVP after tallying 27 goals and 58 points in 30 games during the 2023-24 season. Lafrenière saw nine games of action with Kamloops during the 2023-24 campaign, picking up four points.

Now in the WHL full-time, he’s continuing to produce at a high level, but he remains under the radar. Lafrenière notched 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points in 68 games this season with the Blazers, finishing second among WHL rookies. He trailed only 2027 projected first overall pick Landon Dupont. He was listed as the 86th top North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting’s midseason list.” – Daily Faceoff

“Lafrenière wins pucks with speed, contact details, and, if all else fails, sheer effort. He never stops battling and engaging, especially on the forecheck, and racks up the retrievals. Then, he passes high and crashes the net for the rebound. There’s a lot of timing to his actions, seemingly always moving into open space just as the puck arrives. When not battling or crashing the net, Lafrenière flashes some transition and playmaking ability.” -EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Lafrenière is a quick-witted two-way forward who uses his intelligence to be a pesky play disruptor. A smart player with strong timing, he stays on top of the play, surveying and jumping on vulnerable pucks. While not always physical on the puck, Lafrenière is adept at using deception to surprise carriers and strip pucks off them. He finished fourth on Kamloops in scoring in his first year there, though his minus-33 was second lowest on the team. However, this was a weaker team, and everyone on the roster was well into the negative.” – Dobber Hockey

PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS

• Ranked #124 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #76 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #86 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
• Ranked #89 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #110 by DAILY FACEOFF
• Ranked #57 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #161 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #209 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #71 by DOBBERPROSPECTS

VIDEO AND HIGHLIGHTS

From the Western Hockey League: