The beginning of the 2024-25 season has seen a lot of prospects shine in their respective leagues. From first goals in the NHL and NCAA to dominant performances from a couple of 2025 Draft eligibles, the first Prospects News and Rumors column has a lot of fun things to talk about. Let’s dive in!
Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal in Highlight-Reel Fashion
The NHL’s regular season kicked off in Prague, Czechia on Friday between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres for the first game of the Global Series. With injuries to Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes, the Devils’ blue line had some spots open and Casey took advantage of the opportunity and won one of those spots for opening night. He played 13:14 in his debut with zeroes across his stat line, as the Devils beat the Sabres 4-1.
Related: Devils’ Seamus Casey Makes His Debut on Global Series Stage
Casey’s second game was much more eventful. He had less ice time, finishing with 12:09, but scored his first NHL goal on the power play when he toe-dragged past a defender and sniped it top corner behind Devon Levi.
The Sabres ended up taking the game 3-1 after goals by Paul Cotter and Timo Meier, with Casey walking away as the Player of the Game. Devils legend Patrik Elias presented him with the award, capping off a night he won’t soon forget.
McQueen & Misa Burst Out of the Starting Blocks
Roger McQueen and Michael Misa have already boosted their draft stock early in the season. Both prospects are eligible for the 2025 Draft and they are making an early case to be top-10 (or even top-five) picks. McQueen already has eight goals and 11 points in six games for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Misa has hit double-digits with 10 goals and 12 points in five games for the Saginaw Spirit. Misa currently leads the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in goals by a wide margin; five ahead of Cooper Foster of the Ottawa 67’s. Meanwhile, McQueen is leading the Western Hockey League (WHL) in goals but is only one ahead of Shea Van Olm of the Spokane Chiefs.
McQueen started the season with a four-goal game against the Moose Jaw Warriors and is currently on a six-game point streak. He has failed to score in only one game – the Wheat Kings’ 5-1 win over the Regina Pats where he put up two assists – and just extended his goal streak to four games after another…
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