Toronto Maple Leafs 2025 draft pick profile #4: William Belle

With the 2025 NHL season finally over, all eyes have moved to the offseason. While much of the attention has been given to free agency, there were some interesting storylines coming out of the 2025 NHL draft.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs looking to enter a new era, they selected William Belle from the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in the 5th round with the 137th overall pick. The soon-to-be Notre Dame forward is a tank-like presence coming in at a whopping 6’4″ and 225 pounds, making him a beast on the right wing.

The USNTDP is known for producing some of the best American players, with notables like Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield and the Leafs’ very own captain, Auston Matthews. While born in the hockey-crazed state of Minnesota, William had a very different upbringing, having been raised in China until he was 8.

William Belle profile

The Maple Leafs are getting a hard-hitting, large physical winger who can help bring an offensive spark to a team that needs it.

Belle is not that similar to other Leafs picks in recent history. While picks like Easton Cowan fit the mould of a silky smooth forward who is just all skill, Belle likely will not be the high-end top-six forward the Leafs are known to usually go for. He is a big, strong and hard-hitting forward who can put in a strong effort night in and night out. He has shown at his time with the NTDP that he can be a reliable presence on the penalty kill. This combination of skills and effort makes for a solid bottom-six forward.

Standing at 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Belle is known for imposing size and physical play, along with a relentless forechecking presence that shows up in scouting reports. He is known as someone who does not hesitate to launch himself at opponents. Similarly, some highlight his ability to use his size and drive play, especially in the corners and on the penalty kill.

His production

Belle’s offensive production isn’t particularly high, but that’s not what he’s known for. He was able to put up a respectable 16 points in 55 games for the NTDP U18 squad and 10 points in 28 USHL games last season.

However, some have noticed flashes of offensive skill and playmaking potential under physical pressure.

Scouts caution that Belle’s skating agility and puck-handling have room for improvement. His straight-line speed is impressive for a player with his size, but acceleration and finesse lag behind. While he has the potential, some say that there should be a greater emphasis on improving skating, shot precision, and predictive decision-making.

What’s next?

Leafs’ Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Leach talked about Belle’s unique background, competitive drive, size, and skating. General Manager Brad Treliving mentioned that Belle brings energy and passion, striking a strong impression since the NHL Combine.

Belle will begin the next year at college, playing at the University of Notre Dame this fall, a program known for turning out physically driven players similar to past undrafted Leaf signees such as Alex Steeves and Max Ellis. When discussing his style, Belle praised NHL enforcers such as Tom Wilson and Miles Wood as the kind of players he aspires to emulate.

So, looking ahead, where does Belle go from here? First, improving quickness and agility in his skating skills to keep in step with the tempo of the NHL. Second, tuning puck control, catching pucks clearly, finding passes, and shooting accurately. Third, upgrade consistent decision-making and improve hockey IQ, even when not playing a physical game.

A reliable lower-end energy forechecker with penalty kill skills seems fitting; he will likely slot in at the bottom-six with the potential to become a middle-six contributor, which would be earned through improved skills and reliable development.

William  Belle is exactly the type of high-risk, high-reward pick that comes around later in the draft, especially in round five. Toronto didn’t draft him for points and skill. They drafted Belle for his size and impact. If his attributes coalesce into size, motor, grit, and gradual skill gains, the Leafs could be looking at a future player who changes the momentum of a game or series with a single hit, forecheck, or penalty kill play.