NHL Draft: Four Hitmen Selected in 2025 NHL Entry Draft
Four Calgary Hitmen Players heard their named called in the 2025 NHL Draft this weekend in Los Angeles. Ben Kindel surpassed his ranking, going 11th overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. Next up was Brandon Gorzynski who caught the eye of the Dallas Stars, being selected in the fourth round, 126th overall. Hitmen signee Kale Dach was next to go in the seventh round 201st overall, joining his future teammate Ben Kindel in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Last to go was Aidan Park, who got his named called by the Edmonton Oilers 223rd overall.
Kindel was drafted by Calgary in the 2022 WHL Prospects draft selected in the second round, 43rd overall. He had an impressive rookie season with the Hitmen finishing third in team scoring with 60 points (15g, 45a) in 68 games in the 2023-24 season. The product of Coquitlam BC is coming off career high season with 99 points (35g, 64a) in 65 games. The forward broke a 25 year-old franchise record completing a 23-game point streak.
Wholesome moment alert 🥺
Kris Letang and his son, Alex, helped the @penguins select Benjamin Kindel!
📺: 2025 Upper Deck #NHLDraft on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/CGp69WVL5G
— NHL (@NHL) June 28, 2025
Gorzynski was drafted by Calgary in the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft selected 15th overall. The forward from Scottsdale, AZ completed his second season with the Calgary Hitmen finishing the regular season with 42 points (17g, 25a) in 68 games.
With the 126th pick in the #NHLDraft, we've selected Brandon Gorzynski of the Calgary Hitmen!
Welcome to #TexasHockey, Brandon! pic.twitter.com/UQcECFT4FJ
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 28, 2025
Dach was drafted by Calgary in the fifth round (95th overall) in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Since then, the forward from Fort Saskatchewan, AB, has played the last two seasons in the BCHL with the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Dach had a career high season, registering 87 points (22g, 65a) in 54 games played. The 18 year old will join the Calgary Hitmen for the 2025-26 season.
The Hitmen drafted Park with their first pick, 19th overall in the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. A product of Playa Vista California, Park played the 2024-25 season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, finishing fifth in league scoring with 66 points (33g, 33a) in 55 games played. Park joined the Hitmen for the 2025 Playoff run. The forward is currently committed to the University of Michigan.
The last #Oilers pick of the day Aidan Park is a SoCal kid from Hermosa Beach so he just happened to be in the neighbourhood when we called his name at 223rd overall!#NHLDraft | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/fI5ExokKeD
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 28, 2025
The Calgary Hitmen have now had 68 players drafted to the NHL to date and 14 selected in the first round.
