Devils Keep Picks 50 and 63, Take Two College-Bound Forwards

The New Jersey Devils did not make any waves during the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft, opting to use both of their second-round picks.

With picks 50 and 63, the Devils first selected center Conrad Fondrk, then right wing Benjamin Kevan. Both players are products of the USNTDP system, with Fondrk playing mostly with the US National U18 team. He posted 13 goals and 27 points in 40 games. Kevan played in the USHL with Des Moines, posting 13-30-43 in 51 games.

Fondrk:

Fondrk has some upside, with the most bullish projections seeing him have upwards of a 2C/3C upside. From EliteProspects:

“Equally skilled as a shooter and passer, Fondrk has the tools to score in the NHL. A precise one-time shooter, he’s a scoring threat from the top of the circle and just inside the slot, and consistently finds openings between defenders for chances. He also hooks pucks through opponents for chances, deceives before passing, and occasionally dangles through traffic.”

Fondrk broke his leg in March, but is committed to Boston University. He’ll be joining the Terriers on a loaded team, featuring Cole Eiserman, Cole Hutson, and more elite talent. BU went to the National Championship, but ultimately fell short.

Kevan:

Benjamin Kevan is a great value selection. EP ranked him as their #41 prospect, and the Devils got him at #63.

From your usual writer, James Nichols, on Kevan: “6-foot, 183-lbs. Incredibly fast and quick on his edges. Burns defenders. Weaves through traffic. Playmaker. Plus forechecker. Crashes the net.”

EP’s super bullish on him, saying he reminds them of JJ Peterka. The low side of this pick is comparisons to Kasperi Kapanen. Both are very speedy players, and that’s exactly what Kevan is.

He’s committed to Arizona State, though he will spend another year in the USHL first. Kevan’s an extremely intriguing prospect, one who could end up being a coup for the Devils late in the second round.