Could Will Horcoff Become the Penguins’ Next Big Star?
Entering the 2025 NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a total of 13 picks. For the first time since 1984, Mario Lemieux’s draft year, Pittsburgh received three picks in the first round.The Penguins chose Ben Kindel 11th overall, who is already making his presence felt in Pittsburgh. Going 22nd was Bill Zonnon. After getting the Los Angeles King’s first round pick (24th overall), Will Horcoff was taken with that selection.
A native of Edmonton, Horcoff has a hockey pedigree, as he’s the son of Shawn Horcoff, who spent 15 seasons in the NHL, including 12 with the Edmonton Oilers.
The 18-year-old Horcoff is opening a ton of eyes, with a breakout sophomore season for the University of Michigan. In 20 games to this point, he’s scored an NCAA leading 19 goals, while his 28 points are currently tied for second most in the nation.
Horcoff is an intimidating, 6’5 center at 201 pounds, with room to fill out. Along with an excellent hockey IQ, Horcoff is a two-way presence; combining a powerful shot, along with being a disrupter on the defensive side.
Before the season, most scouts felt Horcoff would be a future middle-of-the-pack center, but now he’s beginning to emerge as a potentially elite prospect.
Penguins president of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas, is slowly but surely transitioning the team into a youth movement, with the likes of Rutger McGroarty, Ben Kindel, and Ville Koivunen.
While the Penguins have yet to sign Horcoff to an entry-level contract, the expectation seems to be that he could be sent to the AHL as early as next season, with perhaps even getting the opportunity to make Pittsburgh’s Opening Night roster.
Once Horcoff officially signs with the Penguins, he should be the top prospect in the organization, and a chance to become a franchise-altering forward at the NHL level.