2025 NHL Draft profile: Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver Giants

Few players can light the lamp quite like Cameron Schmidt.

The wily Vancouver Giants winger is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft as teams weigh his flashy offensive talent with his smaller stature.

Schmidt erupted for 40 goals (including 10 multi-goal games) and 38 assists for 78 points in 61 regular-season games while bookending the campaign with two gold medals with Team Canada and a stellar performance at the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada.

He led the G-Men in points and goals, while tying for seventh in goals and game-winning goals (seven) across the entire WHL.

Notably, his 40 tallies tied with Everett Silvertips forward Carter Bear for the second-most goals by a 2025 NHL Draft-eligible skater (trailing only 19-year-old Luke Mistelbacher with 42).

Schmidt also found a new gear in the postseason with four goals and five assists for nine points in five games, though the Giants would bow out in the first round against the eventual Western Conference champion Spokane Chiefs.

“Cameron Schmidt is the guy,” TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button said. “I’ve watched Cameron play for three years, and I think he’s a dynamo. When I see him play, the skating ability, the shot, the competitiveness he has, are all the qualities, to me, that will allow him to have success in the National Hockey League. Every player has to learn things, and yes, he’s going to have to give himself maximum time to physically mature. But I see a competitor. I see a player that knows how to use his attributes to great to a great extent.

He sacrificed a little bit of goals to say, I’m going to be a better penalty killer. I’m going to be a better two-way player. I’m going to give up a little bit of that. I think that speaks to really, really significant progress in understanding and maturing.”

Cameron Schmidt's highlight reel is just a taste of what the speedy forward brings to the table!@WHLGiants | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/vRBwgefjTk

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 20, 2025

Clocking in at 5-foot-7.25 and 161 pounds, Schmidt is ranked 43rd among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency’s final rankings, though plenty of mock drafts project him as a potential late first-round or early second-round selection.

For his part, Schmidt doesn’t feel his size is a concern- instead, he feels he’s making up for it in skating, strength, and a willingness to get to the tough areas of the ice.

“I’ve kind of learned to change my game to fit my body,” Schmidt said. “Obviously, the speed and just the way I’m able to escape out of turns or hits, all sorts of stuff. I think I use my vision to see the ice well, and I’m able to be ready for those big impact plays.

I’m pretty strong for my size. It’s always kind of been a part of my game. Just being extra aggressive because of my height, kind of making up for it. I love to get in there, and I’m not afraid of the pressure at all.”

While Schmidt doesn’t model his game after a particular player, he’s watched WHL alumni like Logan Stankoven and Zach Benson to see how they make their smaller frames work at the NHL level.

He dazzled scouts at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge by wiring the game-winning goal top shelf and adding an assist in a 6-1 win against the USNTDP in Game 1.

And despite an early playoff exit, Schmidt also got to showcase a different side of his game at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, where he picked up four points (2G-2A) in seven games to win gold.

“With Canada and with all the skill players that they bring there, you might not get the role you want,” Schmidt added. “Just kind of focusing on the other parts of my game, which is the defensive play, and making sure you’re in position at all times and making sure I was playing within the system. Just trying to focus on the other things outside of my scoring ability.”

The Prince George, B.C. product met with 11 NHL teams at the 2025 NHL Combine in Buffalo, N.Y. in early June and was among the strongest players to participate in fitness testing.

Schmidt finished first in bench press, third in agility and balance, and also posted top-20 finishes in horizontal jump, anaerobic fitness (mean power output), vertical jump and pullups.

He plans to watch the draft at home to share in the moment with his family.

Round One of the 2025 NHL Draft begins on Friday, June 27, with Rounds 2-7 to follow on Saturday, June 28.