2025-26 Minnesota Wild Top Prospects

McKeen’s Hockey
Apr. 28th, 2026
Scott Wheeler
The Athletic
Mar. 18th, 2026
Wes Crosby
NHL.com
Aug. 13th, 2025
Nick Orr
Dobber Prospects
Aug. 16th, 2025
1 Charlie Stramel (C) Charlie Stramel (C) Zeev Buium (D) Zeev Buium (LHD)
2 Riley Heidt (C) Adam Benek (C) Danila Yurov (F) Danila Yurov (RW/C)
3 David Spacek (RHD) David Spacek (RHD) Liam Ohgren (F) David Jiricek (RHD)
4 Ryder Ritchie (RW) Riley Heidt (C) Jesper Wallstedt (G) Liam Öhgren (LW)
5 Adam Benek (C) Hunter Haight (C) Riley Heidt (F) Jesper Wallstedt (G)
6 Aron Kiviharju (LHD) Ryder Ritchie (RW) Ryder Ritchie (RW)
7 Hunter Haight (C) Theodor Hallquisth (RHD) Charlie Stramel (C)
8 Carson Lambos (LHD) Aron Kiviharju (LHD) Riley Heidt (C)
9 Justin Kipkie (LHD) Carter Klippenstein (C) Aron Kiviharju (LHD)
10 Theodor Hallquisth (RHD) Rieger Lorenz (LW) Hunter Haight (C)

** Different sites can use different criteria for determining who is still a prospect. Also, for Dobber Prospect lists they take a fantasy hockey approach – prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL.

Charlie Stramel – Stramel’s game is built around size, strength, and versatility. At 6-foot-3 and over 215 pounds, he plays a heavy north-south style, wins puck battles, and can contribute in all situations. While he will probably never be a high-end offensive producer, his skating has improved and he has become more effective at using his frame to create space. Scouts increasingly see him as a future middle-six NHL center who can kill penalties, play physically, and chip in secondary scoring.

David Spacek – Spacek is one of the most NHL-ready defensemen in the Wild pipeline. The son of former NHL defenseman Jaroslav Spacek, he has steadily developed into a reliable puck-moving defender with strong hockey sense. After several productive seasons in the AHL with Iowa, he has demonstrated the ability to handle professional competition and consistently move the puck efficiently out of his own zone. Spacek’s greatest strengths are his vision, passing, and decision-making.

Adam Benek – Despite being undersized, the Czech forward has continued to produce at every level thanks to exceptional hockey sense, creativity, and puck skills. Benak is a dynamic playmaker who sees passing lanes that many players simply miss, and his ability to create offense in tight spaces is outstanding. The primary concern remains his size and whether he can withstand the physical demands of professional hockey.

Riley Heidt – He consistently produces at an elite rate thanks to exceptional vision, puck control, and offensive creativity. Heidt is the type of player who can slow the game down and make difficult plays look easy. His playmaking ability is his greatest asset, but he also possesses an underrated shot and a relentless competitive streak. Defensively, there are still areas that need refinement, and some scouts would like to see him add strength before turning professional full-time.

Hunter Height – Drafted in 2022, Haight combines skill, work ethic, and versatility, allowing him to play both center and wing. He is a smart offensive player who can contribute as both a scorer and a playmaker, and his skating has improved significantly since his draft year. While he may lack one truly elite skill that jumps off the page, he does many things well and has developed into a more complete player.

2025 Minnesota Wild Draft Picks

Rd.  # Player Pos. Team Ht. Wt.
2 52 Theodor Hallquisth RHD Orebro Jr (SWE – JR) 6′ 2″ 186
4 102 Adam Benak C Youngstown (USHL) 5′ 8″ 164
4 121 Lirim Amidovski RW North Bay (OHL) 6′ 1″ 180
4 123 Carter Klippenstein C Brandon (WHL) 6′ 3″ 180
5 141 Justin Kipkie D Victoria (WHL) 6′ 4″ 208

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2025-26 Critical Dates

Apr. 16: Regular Season Ends
Apr. 18: Stanley Cup Playoffs begin
May 5th?: 2026 NHL Draft Lottery
June 21: Last possible day for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
June 26-27: 2026 NHL Draft
July 1: Free agency begins (12 p.m. ET)