One of the most exciting days in the NHL off-season has arrived. The 2025 NHL entry draft day 1 was just completed after a long 4 1/2 hours, with the first 32 players officially accomplishing their dream of joining the NHL. Another exciting part of the days surrounding the NHL Entry Draft are the trades and signings, as you just never know what might happen. The Jets haven’t announced any moves or signings yet (aside from Johnathan Toews), but what the Jets did just announce was who they selected with their 1st round, 28th overall pick. With the 28th overall pick in the 2025 NHL entry draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected LD Sascha Boumedienne from Boston University.

The 18-year old left-handed defence, who grew up in Stockholm, Sweden, is listed at 6’1″ and 175 lbs. Boumedienne spent his 2023-24 season in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms. In 49 games, Sascha scored 3 goals and added 24 assists for 27 points. In the 2024-25 season, Boumedienne took his talents to Boston University. In 40 games as a freshman, Boumedienne scored 3 goals and added 10 assists for 13 points.

Most draft analysts and scouts projected Boumedienne to be picked towards the later stages of the 1st round. What made Boumedienne stand out as a 1st round talent was his play with the Boston University Terriers, followed by his terrific play at the U-18 World Championships. Boumedienne played on Team Sweden, and in 7 games he scored 1 goal and added 13 assists (led the tournament in assists) for 14 points. Boumedienne finished 2nd in the tournament in scoring behind teammate Filip Ekberg (18 points), as he helped Team Sweden win a Silver Medal.

This selection marks the first time the Jets have picked a defenceman with their 1st round pick since they took Ville Heinola 20th overall back in 2019. Next season, Boumedienne will likely remain with Boston University, getting the opportunity to continue his development on one of the most elite NCAA hockey teams. Elite Prospects’ description of Boumedienne as a player states that he’s “a very attentive player, he scans non-stop and proactively picks up rotations and switches. Intensely fights for positioning, getting inside when possible and bringing players into the wall when not. Times his close-outs as the second in to appear just as the opponent slips around the first defender”.

Sascha Boumedienne is a very welcome addition to the Jets organization. Tomorrow, Jets fans will wait to see who they will pick with their remaining four draft picks, which will be in the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th rounds. Welcome to the Jets Sascha!

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