Having previously traded their two first-round selections to the New York Islanders, the Montreal Canadiens made their initial pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, selecting a talented Russian right-winger. Below is a summary of all players drafted by the Canadiens.
34: Alexander Zharkovsky, RW, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
Age: 18
Hand: Left
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 163 pounds
Hometown: Klin, Russia
2024-25 stats: 24 goals, 26 assists in 45 games
69: Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Age: 18
Hand: Right
Height: Six-foot-four
Weight: 196 pounds
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
2024-25 stats: 11 goals, eight assists in 32 games
81: Bryce Pickford, D, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Age: 19
Hand: Right
Height: Six feet
Weight: 183 pounds
Hometown: Chauvin, Alta.
2024-25 stats: 20 goals, 27 assists in 48 games; 13 goals, 11 assists in 18 playoff games
82: Arseni Radkov, G, Tyumenski Legion (MHL)
Age: 17
Hand: Left
Height: Six-foot-four
Weight: 194 pounds
Hometown: Mogilev, Belarus
2024-25 stats: 3.18 GAA, .918 save percentage in 19 games
113: L.J. Mooney, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
Age: 18
Hand: Right
Height: Five-foot-seven
Weight: 162 pounds
Hometown: West Mifflin, Pa.
2024-25 stats: Five goals, 23 assists in 26 games
145: Alexis Cournoyer, G, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
Age: 19
Hand: Left
Height: Six-foot-three
Weight: 195 pounds
Hometown: Trois-Rivieres, Que.
2024-25 stats: 1.82 GAA, .942 save percentage in 21 games; 3.62 GAA, .863 save percentage in two playoff games
177: Carlos Handel, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Age: 18
Hand: Right
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 172 pounds
Hometown: Eriangen, Germany
2024-25 stats: Three goals, 26 assists in 52 games; One goal, three assists in 10 games
189: Andrew MacNiel, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Age: 17
Hand: Right
Height: Six-foot-two
Weight: 170 pounds
Hometown: Cobourg, Ont.
2024-25 stats: Zero goals, three assists in 33 games; Zero goals, zero assists in 12 playoff games
209: Maxon Vig, D, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
Age: 19
Hand: Left
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 212 pounds
Hometown: Bismarck, N.D.
2024-25 stats: 10 goals, 22 assists in 62 games; Zero goals, zero assists in three playoff games
