Devils select Conrad Fondrk No. 50 overall in 2025 NHL Draft

The New Jersey Devils selected forward Conrad Fondrk of the U.S. National Development Team with the No. 50 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday.

Through 15 appearances with the national program this season, Fondrk neared point-per-game production, putting up six goals and six assists for 12 points alongside a plus-seven mark and zero penalty minutes. Fondrk also made 40 outings with the U.S. National Under-18 Team in which he registered 27 points, scoring 13 goals and 14 assists, coupled with six penalty minutes and a minus-one rating.

Beyond his offensive skill set, Fondrk shows signs of a growing two-way game that leaves talent evaluators intrigued. Among his top attributes, scouts point to Fondrk’s strong skating ability combined with an impressive shot. Fondrk also brings some nice versatility as he shown a good ability to line up at either center or on the wing. It was that skill set that Fondrk flashed in his first season in the USHL where through 35 games he picked up 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points. Fondrk also made 54 appearances in 2023-24 with the U.S. National Under-17 Team, finishing one point shy of the team scoring lead as he put up 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points.

Fondrk has also seen success in international competition, earning a silver medal with the Americans at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. In seven appearances, he finished third in team scoring with eight points, scoring two goals and six assists.

“When he’s hot, Fondrk can be a difference-maker,” Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis said. “The first half was a bit ugly, but I liked him at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and I think he’s better than his stats might suggest. That’s because he’s a solid 200-foot player who brings speed and a great shot to the table every night. I feel like he’s more competitive than when we saw him a year ago where it seemed like he just stapled himself to high-end shooting areas and didn’t grind it out like many would have hoped. An injury ended his season early, but I think scouts will love his shot and his penalty kill abilities.”

Next season, Fondrk will continue to demonstrate his offensive skill set at the collegiate level as he has committed to the NCAA’s Boston Terriers.

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