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Ryker Lee 2025 NHL Draft Profile

Originally posted on The Win Column | By Karim Kurji | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 1:26 PM ET

It’s that time of the year for The Win Column’s NHL Draft Rankings and Draft Profiles! Earlier this year, we released the TWC consolidated 2025 NHL Draft rankings. The 2025 NHL Draft will take place on June 27 and 28 in Los Angeles. Coming in at number 36 on our consolidated rankings is Ryker Lee.

Lee is a very interesting prospect with a unique family history. His dad, whom Lee proudly says is his biggest role model, was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States. Lee says his dad worked really hard, and that’s where his own work ethic comes from. Lee interviewed with his USHL team and said this:

Growing up, my dad always thought hockey was so cool, but his parents never had the money to get him into hockey, but he knew one day he wanted to get his kids into it, and so he got my older brothers into hockey and then growing up watching my older brothers, I always wanted to play, and I’ve never looked back.
Ryker Lee in an interview with Oliver Ehrhardt of the Madison Capitols

A projected mid-30s pick, Lee is a fascinating prospect. Let’s dive in.

Who is Ryker Lee?

Player	Position	Handedness	Height	Weight
Ryker Lee	C	Right	6’0″	181 lbs

Lee’s on-ice production

Year	Draft Relative	League	Team	GP	G	A	P
2022–23	D-2	16U AAA	Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA	57	55	68	123
2023–24	D-1	USHS-Prep	Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep	57	45	54	99
		PHC	Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep	14	9	12	21
		USHL	Madison Capitols	2	1	1	2
2024–25	D+0	USHL	Madison Capitols	58	31	37	68

Shattuck St. Mary’s is an elite hockey program that has produced some of the best players in NHL history. Their alumni include Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Zach Parise. Lee exploded offensively in his U16 season with 123 points in 57 games. He joined the USHL’s Madison Capitols for two games the following year, before playing there full time this past season.

Lee won Rookie of the Year honours with 31 goals and 68 points in 58 games. He finished fourth overall in USHL scoring and first among rookies. Lee was also named MVP in the Chipotle All-American Game, which features the top 40 American draft-eligible prospects.

Lee is committed to Michigan State University in the NCAA next season.

Lee’s strengths

Lee’s best assets are his offensive skills. Scouts rave about Lee’s stickhandling and how he is able to keep the puck close to his body, protect it well, and fend off opposing defenders. He is adept at weaving his way through traffic and staying in control of the puck every step of the way.

As a dual-threat playmaker and scorer, Lee is a creative player in the offensive zone and a threat on the power play. He sees lanes and scoring chances well, which makes him very dangerous. You never know if he’s going to make a great pass or utilize his very solid shot.

What makes Lee a very intriguing prospect is his work ethic on the ice. He is a relentless forechecker and works incredibly hard to draw turnovers in the offensive zone.

Lee’s areas of improvement

As is the case with many offensive-first players, Lee does have deficiencies in the defensive zone. He isn’t a reliable backchecker, at least yet, and he isn’t trusted to play in high-leverage defensive situations.

Lee also has the tendency to hold onto the puck a little too long, which results in him taking a lot of hits. It’s okay at the USHL level, where players aren’t physically mature, but this is something he will have to work on if he wants to have any impact at the professional level. He isn’t a massive guy, so putting himself in line with gigantic pro hockey players is not going to end well for Lee.

Lee has to work on his skating as well, as his stride can look awkward at times. However, this is likely just due to Lee growing, and as he fills out his frame, he should be able to fix these issues.

Lee’s comparables

Lee draws a comparable to Nick Schmaltz due to his dual playmaking and scoring abilities, but limited impact in the NHL unless put in the best offensive situations. Schmaltz is a fantastic player, however, and adding a player like that in the second round is a huge win for any NHL club.

Fit with the Flames

Lee likely ends up as a winger at the NHL level. The Flames are loaded on the wings, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense for them to target Lee with any of their early picks. However, if Lee does slip down the draft board, his offensive upside is something you love to roll the dice on.

Summary

Lee is an interesting prospect out of the USHL, coming off Rookie of the Year honours, and is committed to Michigan State University next season. He is an average-sized forward who likely projects as a winger in the NHL, has offensive upside, and projects to be similar to Nick Schmaltz as his most optimistic comparable.

Risk: 3/5

Reward: 3.5/5

Projection: Middle-six complementary scoring winger

Check out all of The Win Column’s individual player profiles of selected 2025 NHL Draft prospects: