Sascha Boumedienne 2025 NHL Draft Profile

It’s that time of the year for The Win Column’s NHL Draft Rankings and Draft Profiles! Earlier this week, we released the TWC consolidated 2025 NHL Draft rankings. The 2025 NHL Draft will take place on June 27th and 28th in Los Angeles. This time around, we’ll be taking a look at Swedish defenceman, Sascha Boumedienne.

Who is Sascha Boumedienne?

PlayerPositionHandednessHeightWeightSascha BoumedienneDLeft6’2″183 lbs

Boumedienne’s on-ice production

YearDraft RelativeLeagueTeamGPGAP2021–22D-3T1EHL 16UOhio Blue Jackets U16 AAA2011216U AAAOhio Blue Jackets U16 AAA54315182022–23D-2T1EHL 16UOhio Blue Jackets U16 AAA154131716U AAAOhio Blue Jackets U16 AAA491131422023–24D-1USHLYoungstown Phantoms49324272024–25D+0NCAABoston University4031013WJC-18Sweden U18711314

Unusual development path

Boumedienne didn’t take the typical route that most Swedish players do. Instead of developing in his home country, Boumedienne began his career in the USA. This is thanks to his dad, Josef, having a strong position in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ scouting department for years.

He would start out in 16U AAA with the Ohio Blue Jackets. In his first year, he didn’t play much of a factor. Only producing four goals and 20 points across 74 total games, Boumedienne would look to further prove himself in his second year. That he did. In a more elevated role, improvements came with 15 goals and 59 points in the 65 games he played. A massive step in the right direction.

Boumedienne would make the jump to the USHL the following year, continuing down the path destined for college hockey. Joining the Youngstown Phantoms, Boumedienne was looking to make a lasting impact and fully get his name out there. He would go on to make that impact with three goals and 27 points in 49 games, being second among defencemen in points for his team behind only his captain. This performance would have Boumedienne ranked high in early rankings for the 2025 draft.

Draft year in university

The journey so far would come to its highest point with Boumedienne committing to play for Boston University in his draft. Tons of eyes were on him to see how his draft stock would fare. Unfortunately for Boumedienne, it wouldn’t go his way. He would only score three goals and 14 points in 40 games, and it was not enough to keep his draft stock up. However, he was the youngest player in the NCAA this past season and improved as the year went on.

However, Boumedienne would impress at the very end of the season. At the U18 World Juniors that took place in April, Boumedienne dominated. He produced one goal and 14 points in just seven games, an average of two points per game. He would break the all-time record for points by a defenceman at the U18s. Claiming many honours such as tournament’s best defenceman, Boumedienne, and Sweden would fall short of the highest and lose to Canada in the gold medal game.

Boumedienne’s strengths

Skating

Boumedienne is a considerably good skater. He’s not your perfect four-way mobility guy, but he moves around the ice fluidly. Boumedienne has developed the ability to use edgework to create space for himself or shut down space against opponents. Carrying the puck, Boumedienne isn’t afraid to walk around the zone and try to develop chances.

His speed isn’t too bad either. He carries a long and powerful stride that complements his bigger frame, although it can be choppy. Boumedienne will use his skating to jump into the offensive play and glide into a proper position.

Passing

Arguably his best trait, Boumedienne shines with his passes. Boumedienne is able to confuse defenders with his passes and find open teammates at an effective rate. Using his skating, he’ll patiently wait for an opportunity to arrive and then send a crisp pass over to his teammate to generate an opportunity.

He can spot passing lanes at a high level and dish out some impressive passes. Deception can be seen in his vision, too. His reads in the offensive zone definitely scream a potential power play option for the team that drafts him.

Improvements throughout the season

One thing that tons of people give Boumedienne credit for is his improvement throughout the year. There were plenty of question marks surrounding the Swedish defender, but he’s seemed to clear up a few. For starters, Boumedienne heavily improved his physical game. His compete level and frame have allowed him to grow some confidence in his body’s ability. He’s willing to engage in physical contact and battles around the ice.

Another is his defensive play. Beforehand, many looked at Boumedienne as an offence-only player, but he has gained some defensive IQ and proper positioning. His stick-checking has seen great improvements, and so have his reads.

Boumedienne’s areas of improvement

Defensive consistency

As just mentioned, Boumedienne saw great development in his defensive game throughout the year. However, wanting to see him keep it up across a whole season is a valid concern. His defensive game has looked incredibly solid to end the year, but there were still some hiccups along the way that can make you question. It is overall projecting well, but we just need to see some more.

Shot selection

Boumedienne does bring a very projectable shot to the table. However, he needs to be able to use it more effectively. Whether it’s electing to pass over shooting or being unable to create a shooting lane. Boumedienne can often rush a shot under pressure, which results in a turnover and nothing generated for his team. He may also choose to shoot a low-danger shot instead of trying to generate much else.

Fit with the Flames

As a left-handed defenceman, there is definitely a fit for Boumedienne with the Flames. Besides Etienne Morin, the left side of the Flames doesn’t look too promising. Fitting with the Flames will come down to how the team projects Boumedienne. If they see him more for his offensive game, the fit might not be there due to the offensively minded right side. However, if his late-season developments in his two-way game please the Flames, the fit is much more there for the two sides.

Summary

Sascha Boumedienne is an interesting defenceman in this year’s draft. No one seems to be fully confident in him, but his in-season developments are a good sign. The more offensively projectable defenceman shines through his skating and passing abilities while bringing some physicality. His defensive game has taken good steps, but consistency is still warranted, and some hiccups create question marks.

Boumedienne definitely has some risk to him and is raw in talent. His late-season growth certainly removes some of the risk that was previously there. Boumedienne shows some promise to be a good top-four defenceman who can move the puck and show up in all areas of the game for whichever team drafts him.

Risk: 2.5/5

Reward: 4/5

Projection: Mid-pair defenceman

Check out all of The Win Column’s individual player profiles of selected 2025 NHL Draft prospects:

Sascha Boumedienne 2025 NHL Draft Profile

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