‘He changes the team every day he walks in’: Why 2025 NHL Draft prospect Caleb Desnoyers is a difference maker

Jun 24, 2025, 09:00 EDT

‘He changes the team every day he walks in’: Why 2025 NHL Draft prospect Caleb Desnoyers is a difference maker

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Coaches will always prop up their top stars – that’s normal. But when the praise comes from someone like Gardiner MacDougall – one of the most accomplished coaches outside the NHL – it really means something.

MacDougall has won just about everything you can in Canadian junior and university hockey and has worked with plenty of special players. But when asked to describe Caleb Desnoyers, the first word that came to mind was “special.”

The pair first worked together with Canada’s 2024 U-18 squad, where Desnoyers was expected to serve as an injury replacement. He got his chance to shine once Roger McQueen got hurt. Desnoyers took advantage of the opportunity, finishing with five points en route to a gold medal – his second that year after winning the U-17s, as well.

“We had a lot of special guys on that team. He was one of them,” MacDougall said. “He changes the team every day he walks in. He’s got a tremendous personality. He’s got a great passion for life and for hockey, and he’s got a great passion for getting better each day.”

Desnoyers kicked off his draft season by winning the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. Most recently, he won the QMJHL championship with the MacDougall-led Moncton Wildcats. That’s a lot of winning in a short span, and Desnoyers has been a huge part of the success every single time. Projected to go in the top 10 of the 2025 NHL Draft, Desnoyers is coming off a solid 84-point regular season and a 30-point playoff run.

Those numbers are awe-inspiring when you realize he dealt with injuries throughout most of the season. MacDougall estimated between three to five different ailments prevented Desnoyers from playing at full steam ahead. So the fact that he still had such a dominant offensive season is a testament to Desnoyers’ talent.

Hockey Canada expects to win any tournament it participates in. And Desnoyers has had some excellent linemates by his side throughout his junior career. However, the fact that he continues to be tasked with important roles, regardless of the circumstances, demonstrates the level of trust coaches have in Desnoyers.

“He’s got an amazing grit level to his game,” MacDougall said. “He’s a great team-first player. It’s all about the team and all about having success for him. So he’s certainly one of those elite people, and you’re going to see him become one of the elite hockey players as well.”

Through the injuries, Desnoyers, a natural center, took fewer faceoffs as the season wore on. But that didn’t prevent him from falling short of his two-way responsibilities. He’s one of the top 200-foot players in the draft, often dealing with challenging defensive assignments with ease.

Desnoyers isn’t huge by any means. But you’ll have your work cut out for you if you’re tasked with clearing him from the crease. He plays with a ton of power and has the muscle to win most puck battles in tight. You need to be extra smart to be a high-end prospect, and Desnoyers thinks the game at such a high level. Maybe not to the level of Porter Martone or Matthew Schaefer, but enough to be one of the most intelligent centers in the draft. Then you mix in his high-end play-driving and his near-perfect passing ability, and that makes him so lethal.

There are two areas of improvement, though. Some scouts would argue that Desnoyers’ shot is just average at this point, especially compared to others in the top 10. He scored 35 goals this year, though, so it’s not like it’s bad by any means. Desnoyers’ skating is just fine, too. If he can add an extra step, and work on his four-way mobility, Desnoyers will be able to take his game up another level.

You’ll hear the term “floor” thrown a lot on draft week as teams look to find players who shouldn’t have an issue reaching a certain level. Desnoyers isn’t as gifted offensively as Michael Misa or as skilled as James Hagens. But the projectables make Desnoyers one of the safest picks of the draft. His floor is high – scouts think he can play just about anywhere in a lineup and be effective. Guys like that are so valuable, especially come playoff time.

Some scouts liken Desnoyers’ game to a mix of Patrice Bergeron, Sean Couturier and Dylan Strome. Desnoyers’ all-around game is stout, but he also has the competitiveness and two-way awareness to be an absolute force.

“He’s so reliable – and that can be a negative mark for some prospects because it makes them sound like they’re not offensively dominant enough, but not with Desnoyers,” one scout said. “He’s got everything going for him.”

If you’re chasing after a forward with plenty of big-game experience who can play center and the wing, Desnoyers is your guy. He’s not the flashiest forward, but he’ll beat you in so many other ways. Between his grit, hockey IQ and playmaking, Desnoyers is a sure bet to become at least a second-liner in the NHL. But some scouts think he’s underrated compared to other top prospects.

Underestimate him at your peril.

Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you’re tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.

Recent Articles from Steven Ellis

MORE FACEOFF.IN YOUR INBOX.

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER