With the 83rd selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers have selected Tommy Lafreniere.
With the 83rd-overall pick, the #Oilers have selected forward Tommy Lafreniere from @blazerhockey of @TheWHL! #NHLDraft | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Tumns90V8N
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 28, 2025
Who is Tommy Lafreniere
Playing on a rebuilding WHL squad in Kamloops, Lafreniere stood out this past season as a capable top 6 winger, and a good duo partner for projected second rounder Nathan Behm. Lafreniere continues to show improvement year after year.
The WHLer still has plenty of seasons to work out some limitations before he sees pro-hockey, which means lots of room for error and growth.
What Type of Player is Lafreniere?
Lafreniere is a centre playing for the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL. A bit undersized at 5’11”, he had a standout 2024–25 season, putting up 24 goals and 56 points in 68 games, which ranked him fourth on his team and among the top WHL rookies.
Lafreniere is a high-motor, two-way forward known for his relentless puck pursuit, defensive awareness, and physical engagement despite his size. Here’s a breakdown of his game:
| Year | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
| 23–24 | Yale Hockey Academy | U18 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 58 |
| 23-24 | Kamloops Blazers | WHL | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 24-25 | Kamloops Blazers | WHL | 68 | 24 | 32 | 56 |
Analyzing the pick
This is a smart pick for the Oilers. They’re banking on on skill here, and Lafreniere definitely has NHL upside. At 83rd overall, this is a solid addition to the Oilers prospect pipeline. He does need to work on his offensive execution, but will be able to focus on that next season.
Based on his play style, Lafreniere reminds scouts a lot of Sam O’Reilly, who the Oilers selected in the first round last year, minus the offensive production.
What’s next for Lafreniere
Lafreniere is likely a few years away from making an appearance in the NHL, and is probably going back to junior for another season or two. Still, he’ll be an interesting player to watch next year with a renewed focus on a hopefully better Kamloops Blazers team.
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